How Olympic swimmer stays motivated

The champion swimmer has just finished competing in the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide, and if you were watching live or on Amazon Prime Video, you’d have seen her finish a powerful second in the 100m freestyle final, guaranteeing her place on the team headed for Japan.

Merely making Tokyo is enough to ensure Campbell is remembered as one of the all-time greats — being just one of three female swimmers to qualify for four Olympic Games.

“Most people get to do it once in their life and here I am, nearly 30 years old, getting to go to my fourth,” she says.

But that’s just the beginning of her redemption story. See, in Rio, Campbell — a gold medal favourite — finished sixth in the final. This year, though, she’s out to change that.

Her secret weapon? Her iron will and the kind of relentless motivation that can move mountains.

“Motivation isn’t a feeling, it’s an action,” she says.

“If I waited until I felt like going to training, I would probably only go three times per week. Instead, when my alarm goes off in the morning, even if I don’t feel like getting out of bed, I do it anyway.

“By the time I arrive at training, I’m usually feeling much better. Don’t wait to feel something before doing it, start on a small task — like getting out of bed — and let the momentum from that action carry you through into a more motivated state.”

It’s no secret that this will be an Olympics like no other. Delayed, almost cancelled, and with

athletes’ training programs thrown into absolute chaos, preparations have been more than difficult, they’ve been almost impossible.

But Campbell has taken all that in her near 1.9m stride, too, saying that 2020 taught her that you have to let go of even the best-laid plans sometimes.

“I definitely learned how to manage uncertainty. I am usually a very goal oriented person, who thrives off plans and routines. Well, plans and routines were completely thrown out the window,” she says.

‘For a while I felt really lost and disoriented. I had to learn that this was not something I could fix, and once I accepted that fact, I found creative ways to keep myself fit and entertained.”

CATE CAMPBELL ON …

Winning the morning

“I try and go to bed at a regular time every night. This helps my body get into a good routine, and my quality of sleep is much better. I also try to have one morning a week when I allow myself to sleep in — or if I can’t sleep, at least lay in bed until about 8am. Giving yourself permission to rest is as important as pushing yourself to achieve your goals.”

Staying mindful

“I find reading a good book a form of mindfulness. It requires enough mental activity to prevent my mind from wandering, but is relaxing enough to help me forget about my stress. I’m always on the look out for new book recommendations.”

The power of the ocean

“There is something magical about immersing yourself in salt water. I often take snorkelling gear and it’s like being given a portal into another universe. There is so much life just below the surface of the ocean, and I love losing myself in another world.”

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