In Deep with Olivia Smoliga
Join us in our new podcast space as Olivia navigates the inner landscape of performance, presence, and growth.
Through reflection, guided practice, and conversation, Olivia empowers listeners to find clarity, connection, and confidence through her own Olympic journey — both in sport and in life.
New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Abundance Over Scarcity: Trusting Your Own Path as an Athlete
This episode explores how trusting yourself, cultivating autonomy, and shifting from scarcity to abundance can transform your experience in the sport. Olivia shares how self-determination, inner guidance, and belief in your unique path help you move beyond limiting stories like “I’m only good in prelims” or “I don’t swim fast in season,” and offers a journaling practice to rewrite them into beliefs that actually support your growth.
Prelims vs Finals: The Psychology of Performance Under Pressure
Why do swimmers so often swim faster in prelims than in finals? In this episode, Olivia explores the psychology of prelim–final racing — from pressure and expectations to Self-Determination Theory and mental training. You’ll learn why prelims feel like play, how finals can trigger overthinking, and how to build a mindset that lets you race free and focused.
10 Ways Gratitude Makes You Faster
Gratitude isn’t just emotional — it’s neurological. In this episode, Olivia breaks down ten ways gratitude enhances focus, resilience, recovery, and performance, and guides listeners through breathwork and journaling practices to integrate it into daily training and competition.
