EP21: Anja Bolbjerg - Olympian and Coach / Trainer for Athletes and Professionals

Published: Nov. 28, 2018, 11 a.m.

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\\u201cAs athletes in general we are not very good at asking for help. We\\u2019ve had a coach who has always stepped in to see when we needed help if we had an injury etc\\u2026 but other than that it\\u2019s not in our nature. We fight, and even if we keep banging our head on the same wall or knocking on the same door, at the core we know to fight, go for it and push. Asking for help is not one of our strengths.\\u201d

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Yes, there are lots of Olympians out there, those who have competed in a variety of games and sports, many we can speak about. But I had the specific privilege of speaking with Anja Bolbjerg, who as today\\u2019s #Make Your Mark podcast guest, did not necessarily dominate the medal stand at the Olympics, but more importantly, has impacted former athletes and executives in how to find the right physical and mental balance to truly make an impact going forward.

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\\u201cThey asked what size I was in case I qualified for the Olympics. I said, \\u201cWhat, I can qualify for the Olympics?\\u201d. That really ignited something in me! Even though I didn\\u2019t qualify for the Olympics in \\u201894, I wasn\\u2019t at the level yet - it set me off saying \\u201cok\\u201d in \\u201898, I\\u2019m going to be at the Olympics and I\\u2019m going to be competing. I took a step back and started competing in a lower level in the Euro Cup, and I rented books in the library on sports psychology, and tried to do it the real way. I have this mantra I said all the time- \\xa0\\u201cI will, I can, I dare.\\u201d and I started to win some competitions. That\\u2019s when I knew that even though I didn\\u2019t have as many kilometres in my legs as my competitors, I had something else to my advantage.\\u201d

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Anja is such a fine example of the competitive spirit that burns inside of all Olympians. Imagine the pressure of performing at your all time best in that one-minute time span at the Olympics after four grueling years of training. Every Olympian faces that, and with Anja, she has leveraged that competitive spirit to her new endeavor, reaching out to other Olympians and other elite athletes in Europe and elsewhere to get their minds and bodies in the right place to be elite performers once again!

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\\u201cI felt like i was going uphill trying to push and push. Putting in so many hours and it wasn\\u2019t getting me where I wanted to be. I started to look back and reevaluate where is it that people come to me for advice, and that I am the most useful and helpful. That\\u2019s how this whole \\u201cAthlete Story\\u201d was born! I knew I had a lot to offer a lot of value.\\u201d

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Anja and I cover so much ground in our episode, including the importance of being prepared for the transition between an Olympian and a career after your sport, how random and luck played a big part in becoming an Olympian, and how pivoting at a later age can be instrumental in your career success. \\xa0Anja is such a wonderful person to speak with, and for those of you who deal with her directly, lucky you, as she is inspiring and supportive at the same time. Happy listening!

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Some Topics we talk about in this episode:

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  • Introduction - 0:00
  • The start of Anja\\u2019s skiing passion- 3:05
  • Moguls- All in for the challenge -7:28
  • A whole lot of squatting- Training time- 9:48
  • A pivotal moment, igniting Anja\\u2019s \\xa0career -10:45
  • 1998- 13:20 \\xa0\\xa0
  • Qualifications- 14:00
  • Olympics- Going for the gold despite a setback -16:00
  • Competing for your country- 19:20
  • A competitive college educated skier -20:03
  • The transition into a business career- 22:30
  • Return to Anjas first passion- 23:44
  • I am a conditioning coach- Athletic training & Fitness- 26:00
  • The Athlete\\u2019s Story -28:00
  • You change and you adapt to get where you want to go- 30:51 \\xa0\\xa0
  • The realization of your value - 32:00
  • You need something to fall back on -34:00
  • Where do you find guidance? -36:40
  • Applying an athlete\\u2019s skills -39:34
  • Hit Your Mark 42:00

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How to get involved

  • Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly.
  • If you\\u2019re looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email Mark@MarkMoyer.com and I\\u2019ll get you going right away.

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave me a quick review on iTunes. Your reviews and ratings will help me reach more people with ways to make their mark in life!

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