WHOA That's Good Podcast - Nastia Liukin on Wanting to Quit on the Way to a Gold Medal

Episode Date: October 17, 2018

Sadie visits with Olympic Gold medalist, Nastia Liukin. Nastia talks about pursuing her dreams without breaking her spirit, life after the Olympics and building an empowering global community for the next generation of women at grandersports.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know that fresh produce is the best produce. That's why at Crogr, we invest in local farmers to bring you seasonal picks that taste fresh from the farm good, like sweet corn, refreshing watermelon, and juicy peaches. So whether you're a delivery lover, a picker-upper, or you shop in store, your local produce always tastes 100% fresh, Or you get a 100% refund guaranteed. Croger fresh for everyone. Hey fam! Y'all don't even know how excited I am for today because we're interviewing Nastia Lukein and I actually met Nastia at Dancing With The Stars of all places.

What's funny is I was like totally Instagram stalking her. I thought she was so cool. And so I see her at Dancing With Stars and I'm like, okay, I'm gonna go talk to her. And she came up and said that I was cute. And I was like, we're gonna be best friends. And a few years later, we're now doing a podcast together. Other life things have happened.

I'm sure we'll talk about it in a minute. But let's just dive right into a good friend and an amazing human Nasiiluriken Alright, welcome to the whoa that's good podcast. I am super excited about today because This girl girl, let me just say you inspire me on the daily. I'm not even kidding. Can I just tell you that I watched your like American ninja warrior video the other day? I was like, what can you not do?

Like seriously, that was crazy. You're obviously a five time Olympic medalist. You started a grander event. You've done so many things in your life. And so first thought, I just want to say, girl, way to go. Way to just do it. It's super awesome to watch. Yes. And I know that a lot of girls look up to you. I know that. Honestly, probably not even girls. Probably I know the whole world looks up to you, especially during the Olympic times and everything. And I think that it's cool, you know, we get to see these people who inspire us

and hear from these people that give us words of inspiration, but I'm curious to know what is the best piece of advice that you've ever personally received? That's a good question. I feel like I've been so, so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing people throughout my life, both when I was competing, but also now just in life. And you know, whether that's business advice,

relationship advice, just life advice, but I feel like the one piece of advice that has really stuck with me ever since I was a little girl and this is something that my mom told me. I feel like when I was maybe like 10 years old, so it's kind of stuck with me ever since I was a little girl and this is something that my mom told me. I feel like when I was maybe like 10 years old, so it's kind of stuck with me and I can apply it to so many different parts of life. But, you know, there were days where when I was training for the Olympics that, you know, it was really challenging and tough and I was training seven hours a day, six days a

week and, you know, there were times where I just was exhausted, frustrated, you know, it was mentally challenging at times. And you know, those were the moments where I felt like giving up, where I felt like quitting. And so I remember coming home sometimes from practice and telling my mom, you know, I just want to quit. I don't want to do this anymore. And she was like, that's totally fine. You can quit, but not today. And she would make me go back to the gym, the next day, the next day, the next day. Until I had one good day.

And you know, sometimes that was the next day. And sometimes that took a week or three days, five days, however long. And you know, because moms know us best. Yes. So I'm gonna tell them when we have a good or bad day. So I would come home after a good day and she would say, okay, great. Now you can quit gymnastics for one roll.

You back in, you know, to public school, find an opportunity. And I would be like, I don't know what you're talking about. I never said I wanted to quit. Oh my gosh. That is awesome. That's so good. I feel like that's actually super inspiring for the parents too to hear that because I always like to my mom.

She was kind of similar in that like she would actually give you the option to like back out and like you know I think that a lot of parents think that they need to like push their kids like do it do it do it do it but sometimes just you know just throwing out that little question like oh no no you can quit that's okay but not today and like letting us sit on it because then we're like oh wait no why she say that. It's just like that stuck with me so like basically not quitting or giving up on a bad day because we're all gonna have bad days like what we're doing whether

you know it's a sport whether you're an artist whether no everybody is going to have bad days and then like some. So I've just constantly had that in the back of my mind. So anytime I'm going through, you know, a hard time or a frustrating time in life and business and relationships, whatever it is, you know, take a breath, like, go back to like your goals. And that's also so important. And what is driving you? What is, you know, what's your mission? What's what are your dreams? What's your purpose? Oh, yeah, I think that that's so shout out to my mom. Yes, shout out to the mom. That is awesome. That's so good I was gonna ask because I

I just love that you started this event This grander event and I was so honored to be a part of it And I really want you to talk about it because I feel like, um, kind of even what you just said, um, I'm sure that doesn't just apply to Olympics. I'm sure that applies to the event and several other things you've done in your life. Um, what was it like starting this and kind of where did that purpose come from? Where did your passion come from for it? And what do you hope for it to be in the future? So my fans, I played hockey. So, you know, we obviously aligned on many things, but one of those

being the importance of having a great mentor in your life, both on the field of play, you know, so for him on the ice, for me, and the gym, but even more so off the field of play, so, you know, whether that's just life, business, relationships, friendships, any of that, and just having somebody in your life that you're able to learn from and look up to and, you know, get advice from. And, as I said, I was so lucky that I had such a mate, you know, both my parents were Olympic and Royal Champion gymnast. So, well, I had a very, very unfair kind of advantage as an athlete because they had been there.

They had done that. They had the best advice in the world. So I didn't have to go too far. That being said, I know that doesn't really happen. Yeah. And so, and for him too, he just like always looked up to the older guys, whether it was on his team or he would just constantly be looking for information on what drives them and what they ate,

how they slept, all of those things. And so that was kind of the original idea of really truly just trying to provide a platform and create this global community to inspire the next generation. And yeah, and after doing a lot of research, we just realized like how underserved, you know, the female market, the female demographic truly is in terms of content, in terms of, you know, that education, and, you know, I do have to, like, say, I really feel like we've, as a community, as a whole, we're making, you know, great strides, but I feel like, you know, there's still that gap. And so, that was kind of like the main idea.

So, we developed a piece of technology. We made this app and started in, you know, our first community. We wanted to first focus the app on sports and gymnastics specifically just because we felt like, between my connections and just my knowledge, like that was a great place to start. That big said, like we plan, you know, to take this, you know, all across different verticals,

not just sports and then the event, which we were so, so, so honored to have you be part of last year. And it was just so cool for us, because I think our main audience last year, they were definitely a lot of gymnasts, but I think what was so cool, and we still talk about this,

to this day was your message, and truly realizing also, like you don to this day was your message and, you know, truly realizing also, like, you don't have to, like, be a gymnast, till I go through these things or to understand these things or, you know, to push yourself in and to get through these obstacles and these challenges and life every single person goes through them. And so I just feel like, like, you totally resonated with so many different people. And not just like the young girls, it was like all ages across the board and it was so special.

And that actually kind of got us kind of thinking, like, okay, this really isn't just for gymnastics. This doesn't just even apply in sports. This is truly like an everybody thing. And we can all be inspired by one another and learn from one another, even if we don't know about each other's industries. Yes, wow, that is so cool.

Like, I think it's really cool because before you even said that at the end, I was thinking how awesome it is that, you know, not everybody can relate to being five time Olympic medalist, but everybody can relate to what you just said about you and your husband, you'll just relate it on a topic. You all both were like, you know what?

We got great advice from people. And that like inspired you and triggered this passion and you'd be like, wait, I don't wanna just sit on that and be like, game me, I got this. I'm gonna like actually take this and what I've learned from this and do something with it. And like, that is the whole point of like this podcast. That's the point of like, I think that's the point of like,

even the gifts that we have in life and the gifts that we've received is like, don't just take it and run with it, but take it and get passionate about it and then give it back and see what you can do to like influence your community or your generation. And you guys are like, blow my mind by doing this because I think that it's so important I think it's so good and I don't just think it's good for For girls and for

Olympic girls or gymnast girls. I think it's good for the moms that are coming that literally are whole generation and with your husband doing it too That's like super super powerful And so I wanted to talk to you about this because this is something that I think through your Instagram and through, even just knowing you as a person I've seen is really important. You really invite your friends into all the things you're doing. And I think that's so cool because I think that a lot of times it's like, you know, we get in that competitive mindset and especially like, I know just being on LA every now and then, you almost feel this competitive like atmosphere,

but there is such an importance to having community, and seeing you with your husband and you and Sean, and you and the other gymnast girls, like, what does that kind of look like for you in your life? Maybe the importance of it, and just how you do that. Yeah, you know, it's really interesting that you bring that up because I feel like it's truly just been within the last few years that I feel like I've really realized that and

I think a lot has, you know, has to do with me growing as a person, but also the people that I've been so, so fortunate to surround myself with. So, you know, with Matt, like he, yes, he was So you know with Matt like he yes he was you know played hockey he was on this team he was constantly around teammates and and all this stuff but at the same time for me it was that's my dog welcome the dog I apologize you know keeping me safe that's awesome I believe in my ownman that she's trying to attack. But anyways, I feel like, you know, gymnastics is also, like, yes, there's a team competition, but it's truly an individual sport.

And so, for me for so many years, I truly felt like that competitive vibe on the competition floor, but also just in life. And I didn't even realize how much I hated it until I was able to step away from it and actually realize how important it was to truly support each other. I feel like five years ago, I wouldn't have been able to even do something like this because I feel like I would have just wanted it to be like all about me. Or, what can I do to like make myself better or, you know, in spite, I don't know, like I just feel like my mindset has, I've just grown so much and learned so much

and realized like, this isn't about me, this is way, way bigger than just me. And so, yeah, I mean, I owe a lot of that. I feel like my fiance and just like the people that I've been so lucky to get to know. And people like you that, you know, I'm just like so, it's hard, it's so hard. I feel like to find good people in your life. And it sounds like super, super simple, but it's not. It's really not.

Yeah. And people that just make you want to be a better person, people that inspire you, people that drive you, but also that love you for just who you are and not your accomplishments and not what you can do for them and vice versa. And so, yeah, I feel, yeah, I guess I feel like these last few years have just been a little eye opening

to me in the sense of like truly wanting to give back and wanting to help others as opposed to, you know, and not to like blame gymnastics, but for 22 years in my life, like I kind of had to be so yeah, those are mindset. Absolutely. And I training seven hours a day, like the rest of the time that you're not training, you're thinking, okay, how can I like get my body back in that peak state in order to do, you know, good at training again the next day and for the next competition in the next year and the Olympics and the World Championship. So it really kind of was about me and like only me for so long that like, I didn't even realize it until I stepped away and I was like, wow, okay, I need to like kind of readjust some things. Wow, that's like, thank you so much for sharing that

because I feel like that's probably a lot of people. And I just gotta tell you just, so you're affirmed in this, you probably already know this, but you radiate what you just said. Like you seriously radiate welcoming people in. And I love what you said, you said something in there, you're like, you know, I probably wouldn't even be able

to do this if I wouldn't have been able to say, this is not about me, this is about like everybody else. Because I think that people need to understand that like, if you just try to do things by yourself and you have that competitive mind, that you don't have that inclusiveness to, you don't have that community aspect to your life, you actually are limiting the things that you get to do.

Because there's really not that much we can do and that far we're gonna go when we're just stuck with ourselves because, you know, I think I believe God didn't just make us with the total package. I think that the beautiful thing is we all have different strengths and we all have different aspects to us. That it's like, you try to do it for yourself.

You know, you'll make it so far, but grab the people around you who have the strengths that you're a little bit weakened, who have the ability to do things that you could never do, and you're gonna run so much further, so much faster. And I think that that's probably one of the key points to this event that you're doing, is you have so many people apart of it,

and your heart's right in the center of it and this joy and this like excitement and this passion is just like raditing through it but the fact that you're willing to open your arms and invite your friends in, it reaches so many people and I think a lot of people need to hear that especially our age because you get stuck in this mindset of like what am I gonna do for my life, what am I gonna do for

the future of my life and the money that I'm going to make and And if you would just step outside of yourself and look around and say what do I really need to do? Why what is the world missing right now that maybe I have that can offer and girl you do that and it's beautiful No, yeah, and I think like Gymnastics, you know, I again like I'm so so thankful for like that first chapter of my life, but I've truly had to kind of relearn things and adjust a lot of different things in my life and priorities and for so many years, it was truly about trying to be the best in so I felt like, you know, I was, I was defined by what color metal I got or what place that I finished.

So when I was finally able to realize that life isn't going to be, you're not going to be defined by a gold medal, first place finish, having the highest salary, the best job title, having the most Instagram followers. It's really, really difficult in this world that we live in, with social and constantly just like comparing ourselves to others as opposed to, you know, being in this together and helping each other out and not just like competing with each other

constantly. That's so good. I love like, because the whole podcast, the one question is like, what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? And I think that the beauty of like everything we've just said is it's like, I love how this is not poses like, what's the best whose voice you can give? It's like, no, what's the best piece of advice you've been given? Because even that in itself, you have to like, post yourself to open your heart out to receive from somebody else. And then you're really not promoting yourself, you're

promoting what somebody else gave you, that advice that they gave you. And I want you to hit on this, this is the last question I want to ask, but I love that your advice is from your mom. And I know that you always talk about your parents and how you've just learned a lot from them and you're so honoring to your parents. And like, not everybody is that way, and not everybody, even I think, especially kids are willing to open their heart, even open their ears to hearing or receiving what their parents are going to say to them. And so I would love for you to just hit on just your relationship with your parents and like when you maybe something switched and you like, oh I should like really start listening because they like really got to figure it out and I like really don't like what what of that look like in your life? Well, I think because the first, you know, almost basically quarter of my life

was filled with gymnastics. I definitely always listen to them in the gym, just knowing that, okay, well, they're world and Olympic champions. They obviously know what they're talking about. Yeah. But I think it was really like, and so I always respected and admired them, but I think it was really after gymnastics. And, you know, I literally, I picked up and moved from Texas to New York City to start going to school at NYU. And I think like that moment where I left home, I'm the only child too.

So, you know, it was just me. And so I didn't quite realize how lucky I was to have such amazing supportive Parents that truly truly just love me and wanted the best for me Yeah, and I and I think like even though I still like got that like on the phone and like text calls like whatever like not Seeing that in person and I you know still don't live in Texas So I haven't like ever moved back home. So I feel like I definitely missed that and I didn't realize how lucky I was to have that so close to me every single day right in front of my eyes and, you know, just,

you know, seeing their relationship and how supportive they are of each other, both through the amazing times, but also the obstacles. And we're all going to have that personally, professionally in the relationship. And so I truly am lucky to have two amazing role models that are right in front of me, but that are also there for anything that I ever need. Like I know that I can call them in the middle of the night and whether it's to share something exciting

or to share something that you know is sad or disappointing or whatever and they just like always know what to say. I think we're lucky and I know you have an amazing relationship with your parents and your family and you know I sometimes I think sometimes we take that for granted because I don't necessarily realize that, you know, some people don't have that because I think we're so lucky to have that. We like know that it's there and sometimes I don't, you know, think twice about it, but the more I think about it, the more I just realize, well, like I truly am lucky to have these two amazing people in my life that no matter what, no matter, you know, the accomplishments, you know, how successful you are, like none of that matters because

at the end of the day they just love you for you. Exactly. That's so good. And I think that everybody, you know, has probably somebody in their life that loves them for them and that's for them. And I think that's the most important thing is that your parents are so for you. And so they're gonna, poor into your life,

they're gonna say the hard things because they're for you and they want what's best for you. And I think that like, if we're taking anything out of this, it's like look for the people as far as this question. Look for the people in your life that are for you. And then open your ears and open your heart to hearing you're receiving what they have to say because it's gonna be for you and because they love you. Girl you am amazed me you are just a

well of wisdom and I think that so many people are gonna get if not one a lot of things out of this and say thank you for sharing your heart and just inspiring me today and I'm sure a lot of people you truly are just a huge inspiration for our generation. And keep going with this event. I support it in every way I can. And I support you and your husband and all that y'all do. Y'all are awesome.

Thanks, Adi. Thank you so much for having me and right back at you because I was lucky to meet you. It was just so happen, so brief. It was. It's dancing with stars and we just like totally hit it off and I feel like we truly have so many of the same passions and goals and you know purpose and I just am so lucky. I wish we could spend more time together.

I know. Hopefully you turn. But you know, just same with you and keep doing what you're doing and truly inspiring millions and millions. So thank you so much for having me. Thank you. Come to Nashville and we'll talk. Yeah. Alright, bye girl.

Bye, thank you. All right, y'all, you know what time it is? Time to call mama. So we're gonna call mama with our best piece of advice and our worst piece of advice. Let's see what she has to say. to Nasiilugan. It was awesome. So cool. She looks like the best. She's just like a ray of sunshine. Okay, she gave really great advice.

And now it's time for the world. That's good. That's bad advice from all of the fans. Let's see what we got today. Bring it. Okay, let's see, let's see, let's see. Okay, I'll start with a good one in my opinion. Take a look at who you used to round yourself with.

To take, oh, hold on, let me just, take a look at who you used to round yourself with, to take a look at where you are going. Whoa, that is definitely good. I think your friendship's making a huge difference in your life, yes. And it's also like you attract friends who are going where you're going. You know?

And so like if you're not conscious about it or that you're not aware of like, okay, like who am I surrounding myself with? And where are the people I'm surrounding myself with going? You'll kind of drift. Like that did this analogy when Tom talking about that was so good about going into the ocean and how if you're out in the ocean and the waves are tossed and all this is happening, you're not paying attention to the drift and you'll continuously end up somewhere that you didn't even want to be. You didn't ever plan to be either for

the ocean or further down because of that undertow, but if you're conscious of it, if you're paying attention to what's happening around you and where you are, you can withstand it. And so I think that's the same with friendship. Sometimes you can just get swept up in it and you realize you're somewhere that you really didn't want to be if you're not strong yourself with friends that are good and that are one to stand strong. And I think that just as much of a powerful force

as it is in a negative direction, it is in a positive direction, if you have good friends, like you end up somewhere you never thought you could be. If you have friends who support you and encourage you and seek the gold in your life and bring it out, like I see that in my life, like in high school, like who I was surrounded with, like I didn't think I would ever get to be doing what I'm doing now out, I see that in my life, in high school, who I was surrounded with,

I didn't think I would ever get to be doing what I'm doing now because I was insecure because the people that I was letting have really loud voices in my ear were feeding that into my life, but now I'm surrounded by people who push me to go further and go way bigger dreams than I could have like dreamed before because they just like continuously remind me of who I am and of like what guy can do and like the direction that I can go if I just like keep going. And so I've just seen it have like two huge effects of my life. One in a negative direction and drift far away and then all of a sudden I'm like who even am I and then one in the most positive

Direction of like waking up and be like who even am I that I'm getting to do all these things because I was such a great support system 100% that's so good Okay, so this is actually I'm just gonna go ahead and say whoa this is so bad in my opinion It kind of goes off of what I was just saying with all of that But I think that you can really speak to this because you and dad, I've heard they'll talk about this a few times, but the bad advice was, don't dream so big. And.

Whoa, that is really bad. That actually makes me sad. I'm like, that makes me so sad. But you know how you and dad always talk about like, people say like, did you ever think this was gonna happen? And you're like, no, but dad's always been like, a dreamer, you know how you and dad always talk about like, people say like, did you ever think this is gonna happen? And you're like, no, but dad's always been like a dreamer, you know? Yeah, well, and also like, I mean, we serve an infinite God. And we like, and the God of the universe lives inside of us.

So there isn't a dream that's too big, you know? And I think that, I think a lot of times parents, I do see parents do that. Sometimes they're like, oh, we want our kids to train big, but not too big because we don't want them to like, live somewhere else or we don't really want them to like, take risk and experience failure and all that. And I think all of that is important for you to like,

for parents to encourage in their kids. Like let them, let them try and fail. Like there's nothing wrong with that. That's how you learn the biggest lessons of life. You should drink big. Like I said back to we are serving a god that is huge. His ways are infinite and downless and he loves us immensely and unconditionally and so how would it be not dream big? Yeah, you're never gonna dream a dream that's bigger than what God can do in your life.

You will never risk dreaming a dream too big that God can't put into action and put into play. So it's like, don't be afraid to dream because even in your wildest dream, even in your biggest furthest thing, God's like, oh baby, watch me do what I'm gonna do. And normally, he doubles it. And even in a really cool way,

it's like, you may have this massive dream and it may be huge, but what God has for you, it's just as big of an impact, but it might not be as big of a platform as what you think it's gonna be. And I think that it's important. People always say they're like, well, say to you like, how do I be a good,

like, you know, how do I be such a good leader example, whatever, if like I don't really like have a following and I'll have like whatever. And I'm like, I don't think that you can ever really judge it by just a following or a platform or anything like that because I could have three million Instagram followers and not make an impact in one person's life. And I would not be doing as big as an impact

as if you change one person's life and that one person went to their people and their sphere of influence and changed their lives. Like you never know the ripple effect you're gonna have. Just like I always say, you know, think about that. Like the one, it really matters. The one really matters. It really matters to me because I about that. Like the one, it really matters. The one really matters. It really matters to me because I feel like I was the one.

Like when I was sitting at that conference at one time and Alex Ceeley came in preach and I saw this woman like just with passion for God and just bringing it. And I thought, I can do that. And Alex Ceeley was speaking to a room full of 3,000 people, but one person like me took it and I go start writing books, start the tours, start all these things. And so you just never know how your effect on one person or one thing you're doing in life could end up having massive effect in the world. And it

doesn't have to be a massive platform, but it can have massive effect. And so that's another thing. It's like dream big, dream so big, but don't be so fixated on what that dream has to look like. You know what I'm saying? It's more about the concept, it's more about the purpose behind it, not necessarily the place that you're gonna get to. Yeah, I think that's true.

I think that like God's plans are better than yours. So trust in that, that like you're dreaming big and you're going for your dreams, but also trust that like God's plans are better and bigger and there are more have greater meaning than yours and so it might look differently than what you had planned or what you thought that it's good.

There's a quote that I love that just kind of like, you know, changes a little bit, but there's a quote that I love that just kind of like you know changes to just a little bit but there's a quote that I love that says like if you try something and you fail you're not a failure you're a risk taker. Oh that's how I'm wearing your shirt that says risk taker. I love that it's holy shifts your perspective because you're like you're a risk taker that's like a good thing but failure some people think it was a bad thing but that's really the truth is like if you try something risk taker, that's like a good thing. But I feel like you're some people that goes a bad thing. But that's really the truth. Like if you try something and you fail at it,

that doesn't mean you're a failure. That makes you sick of risk. Yeah. And that's a good thing to do in life. That sometimes you have to put yourself up there, take risks and if you fail, get back up and try again. That God has other plans for us. So good.

All right, I want to think that was some really good advice. I have to say. Me too. I love that one plants for us. So good. All right, I think that was some really good advice I had to say. Me too, I love that one. All right, loving mama, talk soon. Love you, bad lady. Bye, bye. Thanks so much for listening to the world. That's good podcast. We got a lot of good nuggets today.

Don't forget to follow me on all the social media platforms of mine. Instagram, I'm at legit Sadie Rob, Twitter, Sadie Rob, and follow our live original Instagram. Also, I'm Sadie Robertson on Facebook. Head over to liveoriginal.com and subscribe to this podcast. And while you're there, you can see the tour dates that I'm coming to a city near you. Don't forget, please leave comments in the iTunes section and leave reviews. This podcast is produced by Steve Straout and Peter Hartzell

so huge shout out to them and I thank you to my LO team. You guys are the best. We love y'all and we appreciate you listening. I'll see y'all soon. you