What Moves Me - Olympic advice for everyday problems

Anxiety, self doubt, distractions - Olympic athlete or not, every one of us faces challenges in our daily lives that can feel impossible; but that doesn’t mean we have to work through them alone.

We asked six Team Toyota athletes to share their experience of hitting and overcoming challenges in their career, as well as the practical techniques they use every day to feel empowered and bring their ‘A’ game.

The result is the Olympic Channel series What Moves Me.

1. Diver David Boudia - How do I control my anxiety?

When we feel anxious or stressed, it’s often accompanied by a faster heartbeat than usual but focusing on this physical manifestation can help to control the emotional side of things too. Breathe slowly in through your nose and out of your mouth, lengthening the exhale to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and encourage a relaxed mental state.

2. Wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott - How do I stay motivated?

Alcott understands that when we lack motivation, breaking down a goal into smaller stepping stones can help it to feel more manageable and require less effort. It also helps you to track your progress, and when you can see that progress in action, it’s much more motivating. Increased endorphins are linked to increased motivation too, so Alcott’s advice is to get out there and enjoy life!

3. Pole vaulter Olivia McTaggart - How do I handle feeling different?

McTaggart is a big advocate for being different: "In this day and age, what is normal?"

We can embrace and celebrate differences for their value and enrich perspectives by owning them and using them to our best advantage.

4. Para-athlete Ashida Hajimu - How do I manage negative thoughts?

Ashida had to overcome his own negative thoughts and has learned that you can’t ignore negative emotions - that it is completely natural for both negative and positive emotions to bubble up inside you at any given time. It is more important and constructive to think about how you take these thoughts and turn them into a positive action for the future.

5. Blind 5-a-side footballer Ricardo Alves - How do I deal with negative opinions?

Alves is no stranger to being underestimated, but believes the best way to react to negativity is simply to focus on yourself and doing what you love. If you can ignore or block out these distractions, you allow yourself to focus on achieving your own potential, proving to yourself and others that you are capable of anything you want in life.

6. Wrestler Erica Wiebe - How do I feel confident?

Wiebe is a big believer in the power of leaning into others for strength - it might be a friend, family member, colleague or neighbour, but forming a community of people that support one another through rain or shine can give you the confidence that your best is enough! She encourages you to explore ways of doing this, particularly through sports and training, as not only can you meet new people, it also releases endorphins - aka happy chemicals for an instant confidence boost!