This week's Connected Leadership podcast looks at the world of elite athletics with Olympian Caryn Davies. Caryn Davies is a three-time Olympic medalist (two of them gold) in rowing. Recently, she was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal, the highest honour in the sport of rowing, recognising an exceptional international rowing career and exemplary sportsmanship. Davies is the first American ever to receive this award. As a corporate lawyer and founder of Podium Law, she specialises in representing women-owned and venture-backed startups. Andy Lopata kicks off a mini-series celebrating the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris with a conversation that delves into the highs and lows of Caryn’s journey. She shares fascinating insights about the evolution of the sport, highlighting the increased specialisation and pressure on athletes, especially with the rise of social media. She also discusses the unique challenges of a sport not heavily funded, like rowing, where athletes often lack significant financial rewards and the pressure to secure sponsorships becomes an added burden. Andy and Caryn discuss her personal experience returning to rowing after a seven-year hiatus, showcasing the challenges of reintegration into a highly competitive environment where she felt unwelcome due to being slower than her younger teammates. This leads into a powerful anecdote about Caryn’s conscious effort to build the relationships by asking them for feedback on how she could be a better teammate, despite facing resistance and difficult conversations. Caryn’s vulnerability in seeking feedback and the subsequent acceptance and support she received from her team despite her initial struggles, demonstrate the power of authentic self-expression and the importance of human connection, even in a highly competitive environment. Her experience managing the highs and lows of her career emphasises the ephemeral nature of success and the constant need to find purpose beyond achieving the gold medal. Caryn highlights the importance of finding a sense of belonging and community beyond the competitive arena. The conversation then turns to team dynamics, discussing how to manage egos and competition within a team while fostering a sense of collaboration. Caryn Davies shares a poignant story of the start line at the London Olympics, where she found gratitude and acceptance towards her competitors, transforming the competition into a collaborative experience. The podcast concludes by emphasising the critical importance of maintaining a life outside of one's core focus, be it a competitive sport or a demanding career. Caryn emphasises the dangers of singular focus and the necessity of nurturing interests and relationships beyond one's profession to maintain a strong sense of self and well-being. Caryn Davies' journey offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of high-pressure environments, highlighting the importance of vulnerability, self-compassion, and building authentic relationships as key factors in achieving success and maintaining mental well-being. Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter| Youtube Connect with Caryn Davies: Website | LinkedIn  Podium Law: Website