In this powerful episode of the Especially for Athletes Podcast, we dive into the core principle of resilience, with insights from national champion coach Diljeet Taylor. As the head coach of BYU’s cross-country teams, Coach Taylor recently led the women’s team to a National Championship. She shares her philosophy on resilience, explaining that true growth happens when athletes are willing to embrace the “dark place”—the discomfort and pain that comes with pushing beyond their limits.

In this episode, we reflect on her message that resilience requires a decision to face hardship before it even comes. It’s about knowing that discomfort is inevitable in the pursuit of excellence, and instead of running from it, we must embrace it and keep moving forward. Coach Taylor’s insights not only apply to cross-country but to all sports and life challenges.

Key Discussion Points:

• The concept of the “dark place” in sports and how to prepare for it mentally before facing challenges.
• The importance of embracing discomfort and how it leads to growth and success.
• How resilience can be built by committing to the process, even when it’s tough.
• Real-life examples of how athletes can push through adversity, whether in sports or in life.
• The role of having a clear why to motivate you through the tough times.

Whether you’re an athlete facing tough competition or someone working toward personal growth, this episode will inspire you to push through challenges, keep your focus, and embrace the discomfort that leads to resilience and long-term success.

Especially for Athletes:

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Credits:

Hosted by Shad Martin & Dustin Smith
Produced by IMAGINATE STUDIO

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Support the show: https://especiallyforathletes.com/podcast/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.