Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast

Hosted by Samantha Livingstone

Ep. 12 – World Champion Cara Stawicki – The Power of Expanders + Creating Space for Dreams

In this episode, Samantha Livingstone interviews world champion athlete and performance coach Cara Stawicki. Cara shares her journey from suburban New Jersey to becoming a world champion rower and mental performance coach. They discuss the importance of self-trust, the impact of cultural upbringing on sports, and the value of pursuing dreams despite the odds. Cara also talks about her transition to coastal rowing, the ethos of teamwork in rowing, and her new role as a boat handler. The conversation touches on the necessity of individualized support for young athletes, the role of parents in nurturing athletic dreams, and the common debate between single-sport specialization and multi-sport participation. Cara offers insights into balancing realistic expectations with fostering hope and ambition in young athletes.

·       02:41 Cara’s Cultural Upbringing and Family Influence

·       04:13 The Role of Sports in Cara’s Life

·       08:23 Transition from Swimming to Rowing

·       12:02 College Rowing Experience

·       28:33 Pursuing the National Team Dream

·       33:00 Balancing Goals and Flexibility

·       38:28 Navigating Parental Permissions and Disappointments

·       40:29 The Journey to Becoming a World Champion

·       41:06 Reflecting on the Emotional Impact of Achievements

·       44:05 The Importance of Vulnerability and Risk in Sports

·       51:28 Transitioning from Athlete to Mentor

·       54:08 Exploring Coastal Rowing and New Ventures

·       58:34 The Role of Mentorship and Coaching 

Quotes

•  ”It was kind of just like woven into, you know, into my family. And it wasn’t something that was. You know, preached or put upon us. It was, it was just there, it was just a parent and kind of like what was modeled for me.” [03:47]

•  ”My dream was it was never about the gold medal that always felt like it was gonna be the cherry on top. I, there was something in me from when I was a child that I wanted to stand with the American flag and hear, hear the national anthem.” [42:27]

• “  I also feel very strongly that like we gain strength in sharing our experiences, right? And learning from each other.” [01:00:00

Social Media and Links

·       RTSP Instagram

·       samanthalivingstone

·       Performance Coaching with Cara

·       Athlete Mentoring Program

·       Instagram: @carastawicki

·       LinkedIn: Cara Stawicki

Cara’s Bio:

Cara Stawicki is a World Champion, High-Performance and Leadership Coach, and visionary dedicated to helping you unlock the freedom to dream big and perform.

When I read back the account of my podium moment in 2019, I am filled with deep gratitude. I remember my teammate trying to embrace me in the boat at the finish line and how my eyes instantaneously searched for my husband and parents in the grandstands. I remember how the entire experience was a fusion of intensity and overwhelm and joy.

When I look back at photos… on the blocks at swim meets in high school or in the boat as part of Lehigh University’s Club Crew Team… I see a girl then young woman full of hope and desire. I am reminded of the joy and commitment that goes into being part of a team and am taken to a place a pure longing… longing to be a part of something bigger than my singular dream, and longing to “reach my potential” and become the world class competitor that I craved to become inside.

An important throughline of my athlete story involves a struggle with confidence and sense of belonging. I knew that I “had what it takes,” yet fell short, again and again. After years of disciplined striving, I started working with my own high-performance coach who helped me home my ability to focus, trust in myself and let my skills shine. The best part of all those years striving? To taking the long, long, long road to reaching my number one rowing goal? They’ve enabled me to sit here today full of empathy, understanding and wholehearted belief in you…