By Georgia Miller, Host of the Rooted Sport Psychology Show
The Winter Olympics are a global celebration of athletic excellence, but if you’re an athlete, coach, or performer, there’s so much more to gain than just entertainment or national pride. In a recent episode of the Rooted Sport Psychology Show, I shared a fresh perspective on how to watch the Olympics—not just as a fan, but as a student of elite performance. By tuning into the subtle, often-overlooked moments, you can unlock powerful lessons to elevate your own mindset, preparation, and resilience.
Below, I break down the four key areas to focus on, offering actionable advice and deep insights to help you get the most out of your Olympic viewing experience.
1. Post-Competition Interviews: The Window Into Mindset and Values
What to Watch For
- Who do athletes credit for their success?
- Do they acknowledge coaches, teammates, family, or support staff?
- Or do they focus solely on themselves?
- Emotional responses
- Are they tearful, stoic, overwhelmed, or struggling to articulate their feelings?
- How do they process the culmination of years of effort in a single moment?
Why It Matters
Post-competition interviews are more than just soundbites—they’re a raw, unfiltered look at the athlete’s mindset, values, and emotional regulation. Athletes who recognize their support systems tend to be more grounded and resilient. This humility and gratitude often translate into better long-term performance and well-being.
Actionable Takeaways
- Reflect on your own support system. Who do you rely on? How do you show appreciation?
- Practice emotional awareness. Notice how top athletes handle both triumph and disappointment. How do you process your own highs and lows?
- Adopt a growth mindset. Recognize that no one achieves greatness alone. Embrace feedback and support as essential to your journey.
Expert Insight
“No one gets to the Olympic stage alone. Athletes who appreciate their support systems are more emotionally regulated and resilient under pressure.”
— Georgia Miller, Rooted Sport Psychology Show
2. Pre-Competition Routines: Discovering Your Optimal Preparation
What to Watch For
- Variety of routines
- Music, visualization, meditation, prayer, team huddles, or lucky charms
- Energy management
- Some athletes hype themselves up; others seek calm and focus
- Personalization
- Each routine is unique—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach
Why It Matters
Pre-competition routines are about finding what helps you feel most prepared, confident, and grounded. Copying someone else’s ritual rarely works; the key is to discover what aligns with your personality and performance needs.
Actionable Takeaways
- Experiment with different routines. Try music, visualization, breathing exercises, or quiet reflection to see what works for you.
- Identify your optimal energy level. Do you perform best when calm or energized? Tailor your routine accordingly.
- Make it enjoyable and authentic. Your routine should feel natural, not forced. It’s about grounding yourself, not ticking off a checklist.
Expert Insight
“Performance isn’t about copying what works for someone else—it’s about discovering your own optimal energy level and what helps you feel ready.”
— Georgia Miller
3. Body Language: The Silent Communicator of Confidence and Resilience
What to Watch For
- Pre-competition posture
- Are athletes standing tall and confident, or withdrawn and tense?
- Responses to mistakes
- Do they recover quickly, or do they dwell on errors?
- Interactions with teammates
- Are they supportive and engaged, even when things go wrong?
- Between plays or runs
- How do they carry themselves in the “in-between” moments?
Why It Matters
Body language is a powerful indicator of an athlete’s internal state. It communicates confidence, composure, and resilience—not just to others, but to yourself. Elite athletes use body language to project and reinforce their belief in themselves, especially under pressure.
Actionable Takeaways
- Practice confident posture. Shoulders back, head up, relaxed but alert.
- Develop recovery routines. After mistakes, use a physical cue (like a deep breath or a reset gesture) to move forward.
- Stay engaged with teammates. Support others, even when you’re struggling. It builds team resilience and keeps you connected.
Expert Insight
“Elite performance isn’t just about skill—it’s about how you present yourself, especially when things don’t go perfectly.”
— Georgia Miller
4. Bonus: Athlete-Coach Interactions—The Foundation of Growth and Maturity
What to Watch For
- Communication under pressure
- Are athletes making eye contact, listening, and staying open to feedback?
- Respect and composure
- How do they respond to coaching, especially after setbacks?
- Relationship dynamics
- Is there mutual trust and respect, even in high-stress moments?
Why It Matters
The athlete-coach relationship is a cornerstone of long-term success. Athletes who remain coachable, communicative, and composed under pressure demonstrate maturity and a growth mindset. These qualities are often what separate good athletes from great ones.
Actionable Takeaways
- Stay open to feedback. Even when emotions run high, listen and respond thoughtfully.
- Build strong relationships. Trust and respect with your coach (and teammates) are essential for growth.
- Model composure. How you handle tough conversations says as much about your potential as your performance does.
Expert Insight
“The best athletes aren’t those who never face struggles—they’re the ones who can stay connected, communicative, and composed when the stakes are highest.”
— Georgia Miller
Final Thoughts: Watch the Olympics With a New Lens
This Winter Olympics, don’t just watch for the medals and highlight reels. Look for the moments in between—the interviews, the rituals, the body language, and the coach-athlete dynamics. These are the real lessons in elite performance, and they’re available to anyone willing to observe and learn.
By applying these insights, you can develop a stronger mindset, better preparation habits, and a more resilient approach to your own sport or performance arena.
If you found these tips helpful, please share this post and the Rooted Sport Psychology Show episode with an athlete, parent, or coach who could benefit from a new way of seeing the game.