Tim O’Donnell

Being Vulnerable, Letting Go, and Be Your Best

“You just need to show your heart. Put yourself in a place of vulnerability when your out there on the run. It’s hard to put yourself fully out there because if you fail then you know that the best version of yourself wasn’t good enough...”

I spent the day with Tim O’Donnell, one of the world’s most successful and experienced American long-course triathletes. Tim recently finished 2nd at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. He set a new American record on the course and went sub 8 hours!! As a professional, he has earned 50+ podium finishes including over 22 wins at major events throughout the world. We discuss the ins and outs of events, injuries, mindset and family life as a professional athlete. You will appreciate Tim’s genuine sincerity and example of dedication and integrity.

Listen, Watch & Subscribe

This show and episode would not be possible without the support of these sponsors:

Addaday

Addaday is an active healing technology company focused on pre-and post-exercise recovery to help people move better and live their fullest. Its devices deliver targeted therapies and techniques used by professionals to prime the body for exercise, speed recovery and treat or prevent injury. They are the Official Recovery Partner of IRONMAN, USA Climbing, Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and other leading sports organizations. In addition, many teams and professional athletes at the highest levels of football, baseball, hockey and Olympic sports now use Addaday’s products for their recovery needs. Visit addaday.com/discount/chrislieto and you can get 20% off your order when you use coupon code: CHRIS20

Gatorade Endurance

If you are racing your mind has to be prepared and so does your body. That's why it's important to train with what's on course. Gatorade endurance formula hydrates and fuels athletes on over 300 race courses. Visit gatoradeendurance.com and you can receive 20% off your purchase when you use promo code: CHRIS20

KION AMINOS

Whether you’re looking to stimulate faster muscle growth, recover more rapidly from exercise, become more resistant to fatigue during a grueling workout, or just benefit from additional amino acids in their most absorbable form to support aging or a vegan, vegetarian, or ketosis diet, Kion Aminos essential amino acids has you covered. Visit getkion.com/chrislieto and you can receive 20% off your purchase when you use promo code: CHRIS20

SHOW NOTES

Check out Tim at the following: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Questions Chris asks:

How do you normally approach a race? (11:28)
Was race week this year different since you were hurt? (12:41)
How is your thought process to come through injury or setback physically and mentally (14:00)
What were you telling yourself in Ironman when you didn’t feel well and were hurting? (17:00)
Did your injury give you the opportunity to do things differently than in the past? (23:40)
Have you ever done anything great where you didn’t take a risk? (24:45)
You allowed yourself to feel and go through the cycle. How did that affect your race? (26:40)
You ended up finishing 2nd in the world. (28:40)
Do you feel pressure or expectation when you’re racing? (33:15)
How was it to share your win with your wife and daughter? (39:20)
How is it being a dad? (39:52)
What would be three characteristics to make a successful athlete? (43:20)
What kind of state is determined? (45:08)
Is there anything you would do differently as you look back at your career? (50:05)
If you were only to have a year to live, what would you want to do in this next year and what lesson would you leave behind? (51:50)

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What the race is like in Hawaii (11:13)
How Tim managed his thought process to come through injury or setback physically and mentally (14:00)
Tim talks about his mindset (16:00)
Tim shares how he learned about his injury and decided to do what he could for any chance of success (22:20)
How to avoid a downward spiral (25:39)
Tim shares his race experience (31:00)
Tim shares what he was thinking about when racing (36:35)
Tim shares about his wife (38:00)
Tim shares about his parents (42:00)
Chris and Tim talk about the relationships of athletes (43:05)
Three characteristics to make a successful athlete (43:50)
What Tim cherishes most (52:05)