Episode 133: The Mental Side of Sports: Olivia Southby’s Journey from Australia to U.S. Athletics.

Ever wondered what it takes to transition from youth athletics to competing at the highest level in U.S. college sports?  Welcome to another episode of the Oak Performance Podcast, your ultimate resource for athletic performance and coaching, brought to you by your host, Adam Lane! In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Southby, a track and field athlete from Sydney, Australia, now competing at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Olivia takes us through her incredible journey from her early days in Little Athletics to her time at Washburn University in Kansas, and ultimately her move to Division 1 college sports in the U.S. She shares her personal experiences with cultural differences, the intensity of collegiate sports, and her record-setting times in events like the 1500m (4:49) and 800m (2:01.6). Beyond her athletic achievements, Olivia opens up about her battles with anxiety, managing injuries like a hamstring tear, and the importance of mental health in sports. She discusses her plans to pursue a master’s degree in sports psychology to help other athletes overcome mental hurdles and maintain a healthy mindset. 00:00 Intro 00:20 Olivia's Journey to Oak Performance Radio 43:41 Olivia's Early Running Days in Australia 43:54 Transition to College Running in the U.S 44:39 Cultural Differences in Track and Field 44:53 Challenges and Injuries in College Running 45:08 Mental Health and Performance in Track  45:39 Differences in Youth Sports in Australia and the Us 46:10 Final Thoughts and Future Plans Tune in as Olivia reflects on the pressures of competing, the importance of focusing on the joy of the sport, and her journey to rebuild confidence and better manage pre-race nerves. Whether you're an athlete or a coach, this conversation offers valuable insights into mental resilience and overcoming obstacles in sports. Connect with Olivia: @liv_southby