How Did Dawn Harper Make History at the 2012 Olympics, Take On Motherhood, and Still Have Energy to Return for 2020?
Samantha Peszek is on a mission to discover the secret of some of the best athlete’s in the world — what makes them tick, their commitment to success, and how they build confidence in their sport and in life. Utilizing Samantha’s Olympic network (she really does have cool friends), guests will divulge what it’s really like to compete at the highest level — the struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. You will have an opportunity to learn from some of the best athletes in the world and be able to apply relevant tips to your everyday life!
Sam welcomes to the podcast two-time Olympic medalist and decorated track and field hurdler, Dawn Harper. Dawn took home the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, making history as a hurdler in the process. In this episode, Dawn recalls her journey to the 2008 Olympics, including stories of her inspiring coach, overcoming a knee injury, and the moment she realized she took home gold. Dawn speaks to her decision to step away from track and field (for now) to start a family and become a mother. She talks about her daughter, Harper, and her husband, Alonzo who has supported her career through all the ups and downs. Finally, Dawn touches on her decision to train and compete to represent the U.S. yet again in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Key Takeaways
· Introducing today’s guest, Dawn Harper
· Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsors, Tumbl Trak & Right Rice
· Sam and Dawn share their first memories of each other
· The moment Dawn knew she wanted to go to the Olympics
· Dawn describes the feeling of being told by her coach that she was a different, special athlete
· Dawn talks about her belief in her abilities and her thoughts on fear
· Falling in love with track and field
· Dawn recalls the collegiate recruitment process and why she chose UCLA
· The decision to continue running as a professional
· Sam and Dawn discuss the hard work necessary to become an Olympian
· Dawn talks about having to get knee surgery
- Dawn’s mindset after qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
- How Dawn deals with pre-race nerves
- Dawn walks listeners through her mental warmup routine
- Dawn recalls the moment she realized she had won gold and how she celebrated
- Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsors, Tumbl Trak & Right Rice once more
- Dawn’s plans post-2008 Olympics
- Differences between the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games
- Dawn speaks to the competitive fire between her and her teammates
- What motivated Dawn after making history at the 2012 Olympic Games
- A new dream for Dawn
- The decision to train to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games
- How life changed for Dawn when she became a mother
- Dawn’s goals for 2020
- How Dawn’s confidence level fluctuated throughout the course of her career
- Sam and Dawn discuss common issues facing female athletes today
- The post-Olympic come down
- Dawn reveals one thing people can do to get 1% better each day
- Sam thanks Dawn for joining the show
Episode Quotes
“Things changed for me when I was in the eighth grade, my coach had me do hurdles. And the funny thing with that is, the first time he had me go over the hurdles it was a train wreck. And, he thought with my intelligence and speed that I could be the best hurdler in the world.”
“I do remember at a young age someone saying, ‘You get a degree from UCLA, you can go anywhere.’”
“And they hand me the flag. That flag, that is your dream because only three people get that flag.”
“You’re just running for your life. If you have a move, you move now because you have twelve seconds. And, I remember running to the line and I just leaning for my life and, when I look up, I see Priscilla Lopes from Canada start to scream. And, I remember I was like, ‘Oh my God, I got silver. Oh my God, I got silver.’ Cause I knew I’d done well…and then Sally from Australia she starts screaming and I’m like, ‘Oh my God I got third.’ I just kept dropping myself down. And then my teammate, Damu Cherry from the U.S., she came over and she says, ‘No Dawn, you won.’ And that’s when I looked up at the board and I just collapsed.”
“I always say I felt like a grown woman this time. The first time, I felt like a child that was in the unknown. Now, I knew exactly what the Olympics felt like. I knew what the top had felt like.”
“After 2012, I had made history because nobody had ever won the Olympics in the hurdles and then made the next team and medaled again. So, the fact that I got silver, I had made history because it’s just extremely hard to do in the hurdles. And so, for me, I remember thinking, ‘I just want to continue making history. I just want to dominate.’”
“When I’m on the track, I am consumed by track and field.”
