Samantha Peszek: Olympic journey, retiring at a young age, obsessively keeping promises, and more

Samantha Peszek is a retired Olympian, an NBC Olympic Broadcaster, and founder of Beam Queen Bootcamp.

Last year, we sat down for a conversation with Sam where we touched on her move to Austin, her delusional 5-year old dreams of one day becoming an Olympian, the windy path getting there, retiring at such a young age, her post-athletic career, and more.

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LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/550Y...

Samantha's Links
Instagram:   / samanthapeszek  
Beam Queen: https://www.beamqueen.com/

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WML Instagram:   / madness_lies  
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0:00:00 Living in Austin
0:00:53 When Aaron met Sam
0:02:05 Kids are a transformative experience
0:04:09 Which childhood experiences do you want to replicate for your future Children?
0:07:15 Sam's sister was an elite gymnast, but decided early on that she didn't want to be an Olympian
0:08:30 Sam's approach to media as a 16-year old
0:12:08 Before social media / how media has evolved
0:12:38 Passion for the sport intertwined Sam's first memory imitating gymnastics routines
0:13:45 That was the day I told everyone, "I'm going to go to the Olympics one day."
0:14:00 Olympians were Sam's superheroes
0:14:12 Sam's confidence and ability to execute
0:14:26 Aaron's cousin, Ralphy Velazquez, drafted to the Major Leagues
0:14:56 Combination of will power and desire to do this Parent's response
0:15:51 Would Samantha do it again?
0:16:22 Levers: Hedonistic, Philanthropic, Challenge
0:17:40 Would you want your future children to go through what you went through?
0:19:01 Where did your madness / ambition come from?
0:20:05 You made a promise to yourself, and you had to keep your promise
0:20:34 Were you good at gymnastics right away?
0:21:26 When did you actually become "good"
0:22:15 Most successful people have childlike wonder
0:22:56 Is it weird for guys to be really into gymnastics?
0:23:38 Making the national team
0:26:02 Dieting / Sam was allowed to be a kid
0:27:25 When did you start to sense you are representing America?
0:29:22 Willpower
0:30:39 The olympics were weird for Sam
0:34:57 Post-Olympic Depression / Returning home... it's like playing a video game and you beat the game...
0:36:34 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
0:38:03 Transitioning into college
0:39:01 How did Sam handle "beating video game moment?" Depression / Child Acting
0:42:14 Ryan Holiday / Positive Stress versus Negative Stress
0:45:54 College was a great experience
01:46 Post-college plans?
0:48:01 Where are you in 10 years?
0:49:22 Unfiltered vs Filtered Sensitive to Audience
0:50:35 Advice to young women?
0:52:05 Sam is really good at media
0:52:44 Arts - what do you like and what do you find inspiring?
0:55:44 When Sam retired, she got into podcasts
0:56:14 You are "retired" Is it natural to use that word?
0:57:34 Sam got to meet a lot of famous athletes
0:58:29 Height and Gymnastics
0:59:01 Men's Gymnastics
0:59:23 We had a USA Gymnastics Reunion Why was your team so culturally healthy?
01:00:35 Why was your team culture healthy?
01:00:35 Why was your team culture healthy?
01:01:38 Any advice for me as a father to two daughters?
01:05:17 Positive Pride vs Negative Pride
01:05:32 Life skills - Bulldozer Parents - Confidence Training
01:07:59 How'd you come up with the name BEAM QUEENS?
01:08:30 Brainstorming vs Executing
01:08:54 When things get chaotic, Sam gets calmer
01:09:34 President Grant - Excelling in Crisis
01:10:24 Have to be mindful on goals because Sam has a hard time to letting go of a vision