S1E89 - Fall in Love with Failing with 3x World Champ Softball Player Haylie McCleney

Pursuit of Gold with Laura Wilkinson

In this week’s captivating episode, Laura is joined by the outstanding Olympic Silver medalist and softball legend, Haylie McCleney, for an entertaining and informative conversation chock-full of ‘mic drops and truth bombs’. Haylie's extraordinary journey began early in her life, fueled by an insatiable passion for sports and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Graduating with a degree in Human Performance from the University of Alabama and attaining a Master's in Exercise Physiology at Florida Atlantic University, Haylie's dedication has ultimately led to her becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with membership in the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Throughout her discussion with Laura today, Haylie shares invaluable insights touching on her approach to thriving as a leadoff hitter, embracing relentless presence, and the profound significance of playing the long game.

Key takeaways from the episode reveal Haylie's emphasis on prioritizing personal growth over mere trophies as well as valuing the role of a supportive teammate in boosting morale. She also illuminates the transformative power of journaling as a means to navigate emotions, set goals, and express intentions, offering an enriching perspective on personal growth and competition. While recounting her journey to the Olympics, which saw the unique challenge of softball's temporary removal from the Games, Haylie's tenacity shines through in her work to realize her dream of representing the USA in Tokyo. The complexities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed as well, emphasizing the importance of stability during uncertain times. Haylie McCleney's inspiring narrative, as shared here today, stands as a testament to relentless dedication, unwavering commitment, and the unending pursuit of excellence - a truly inspiring tale brimming with invaluable wisdom born out of extensive and elite experience.

Episode Highlights:

• The pursuit of personal growth and competition over mere trophies
• Being a supportive and uplifting teammate in sports
• Dedication to playing the long game and maintaining focus
• The distractions and obligations faced while playing professional softball.
• Navigating the unique challenges of an Olympic journey
• Coping with disappointment
• The importance of resilience and team bonding
• Positive aspects of unconventional Olympics
• Journaling for mental health

Quotes:

• "You've got to be really in love with failing and learning from your failure."
• "I was raised to begin with the end in mind and trust that the effort you put in today, weeks, months, years from now, you're going to see the benefits of it."
• "Softball can be my year-round, full-time job. I can sign one contract, and that's enough money for me to make an incredible living."
• "What if we try out again and get cut? What if I was an Olympian? But now I'm not an Olympian. Do I still say I'm an Olympian?"
• "I might as well just have some fun, like, continue to play softball."
• "Time heals everything."
• "Play the long game, try to see the long game as best you can."
• "Every single second matters."

Links:

• The Pursuit of Gold Website
• The Confidence Journal- FREE SHIPPING with checkout code: STARTNOW

Laura’s Social Media:

• Laura’s Instagram
• Laura’s Facebook

Connect with Haylie:

• Haylie's Website
• Haylie's Linktree