Abundance Over Scarcity: Trusting Your Own Path as an Athlete

In this episode of In Deep with Olivia Smoliga, we explore what it really means to trust yourself as an athlete — and why that inner trust might be the missing piece in your long-term success.

Olivia breaks down the tension many swimmers feel between following structure and listening to their own intuition: the coach writes the plan, the team sets the standard, but you still have to live inside your body, your mind, and your goals. Drawing on self-determination theory, she explains how autonomy, competence, and connection work together to fuel deep, lasting motivation — not just short bursts of hype.

You’ll hear:

• How ignoring your inner voice slowly erodes self-belief and creates dependence on external validation

• Why scarcity thinking sounds like “there’s only one way to do this” — and how that shows up in training, racing, and identity

• The difference between healthy structure and rigidity, and how to find a balance that works for you

• How to honor your unique gifts and energy, even inside a team system

• A powerful two-column journaling exercise to reframe “I can’t” stories into abundant, supportive beliefs
  

This episode is an invitation to step into your own lane mentally and emotionally — to remember that there are many ways to become great, and the most powerful path is the one aligned with who you truly are.

Listen Below!