What I learned from speaking to 6 Olympians
June 23rd was International Olympic Day. Honestly, I didn’t know until I stumbled across some posts and that instantly made me think of one of my favorite campaigns. At one of my workplace for, we were the principal sponsors of the Indian contingent for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. I had the privilege of being on the core team handling the marketing campaign. For one of the legs of the campaign, we wanted to share the stories of these athletes and their journey. As I led this piece, I had the privilege of speaking with 6 extraordinary athletes. 6 sportsmen making India proud on the world stage. 6 indomitable spirits who made it against all odds.
It remains a fond memory, as it provided me with a unique perspective into their lives and the values they uphold. Through these conversations, I witnessed a common factor that resonated across all six Olympians.
They are all talented, hardworking, sincere, and dedicated to their work and the country as a whole. This is a given. But, beyond this I observed a common thread that connected them all, in my opinion. And that golden thread was GRIT.
In the past few years, I've been reading about Grit (spoiler alert for the recommendation section). Grit is a kind of determination and resilience that helps people overcome challenges. It's not just about working hard — it's about never giving up, no matter what.
Several of them have received the highest awards in their field. Yet, their journey was anything but easy.
As I listened to their stories, I was moved, inspired, and in awe. They all shared this unwavering spirit that didn’t waver no matter how many setbacks they faced, injuries, and doubts. Instead, they turned their obstacles into fuel for motivation, pushing themselves to greatness. They kept going.
From Bhavani Devi, India’s first fencer to the Olympics, to Rani Rampal, India’s women's hockey team captain, they all had their share of struggles and failures along the way. They spoke of all the times they fell down, but they saw each setback as a chance to grow and improve. They kept going.
They spoke about the sacrifices they made. They gave up time with loved ones, sleep, and other pleasures to pursue their dreams. They kept going.
Their dedication was unwavering because they knew the rewards would be worth it. They kept going.
These stories taught me a valuable lesson. True success is not just about talent or luck—it's about the urge and motivation to keep striving, no matter what. Grit allows ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things and go beyond what they thought was possible.
In a world where we often want instant results, these Olympians reminded me that greatness takes time.
Just keep going.
Above : In conversation with Mirabai Chanu and Bhavani Devi : )
( Removed other folks for privacy reasons)
Weekly Recommendation:
Like I mentioned above, I have been reading about Grit, ever since I discovered it as a specific trait. The best read is this book that captures the true essence of what it is, backed by research and sprinkled with insights.
Sone gems :
Effort counts twice.
Talent × Effort = Skill
Skill × Effort = Achievement
Fragile perfects - People who cruise through life friction free, for a long, long time time before encountering their first failure, will struggle to get up again. Vulnerable high achievers, bright and wonderful people who know how to succeed but not how to fail
You can also listen to her 5 min Ted talk, to begin with : )
Keep going ! And write back ?
Best Sumedha Mahajan
Your shades of life are so insightful... totally agree with the grit book reco... we have something to learn from everyone we interact with! Keep learning !