TIPS! Mempertahankan Mental Juara (PART 2) - SURVIVAL TALK EP 118

Summary

In this engaging interview, Prisilia Gunawan, an accomplished finswimmer and athlete, shares her journey in the world of competitive swimming. From early challenges and unique experiences like swimming in the Madura Strait to her dedication in training, she reflects on the discipline and sacrifices of an elite athlete. Prisilia also discusses the mental toughness needed for success, her training with foreign coaches, and overcoming obstacles such as the pandemic. With candid insights into her personal growth, victories, and the pressures of maintaining peak performance, this conversation offers an inspiring glimpse into the life of a champion swimmer.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker describes their experience swimming in the Madura Strait, recalling the challenges and excitement of swimming in the sea.
• 😀 They highlight the unique feeling of the salty water mixed with oil, making it slippery, while also mentioning the sensation of swimming in the open water.
• 😀 The speaker shares their early swimming experiences from their childhood, mentioning that they started swimming in grade 6 and felt happy just finishing the race.
• 😀 The conversation touches on the speaker's love for trying new things, such as sports, and their attempt to balance different athletic activities.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how their parents encouraged swimming as a life skill, especially to avoid the danger of drowning in water.
• 😀 They also discuss their childhood interest in other sports, like badminton and basketball, but their parents' concerns about the physical risks stopped them from pursuing those sports.
• 😀 The speaker talks about the mental preparation and discipline required to be an athlete, explaining how regular practice, rest, and focus were key components of their routine.
• 😀 They mention the transition to more serious competition, like representing Indonesia in international sports events such as the SEA Games, and discuss the emotional ups and downs of competing.
• 😀 The speaker reveals that, despite their success in swimming competitions, they sometimes feel disappointed when they don't win, especially after coming close to a victory.
• 😀 They describe their experience of training under foreign coaches, explaining how foreign trainers focus on the quality of training, while local coaches may prioritize quantity.

Q & A

What prompted the speaker to participate in swimming across the Madura Strait?

The speaker mentioned that it started as a casual idea, wanting to try something new and thinking swimming in the sea would be more fun, so they jumped in and swam across the Madura Strait.

How did the speaker feel when they first completed the Madura Strait swim?

The speaker was excited and happy, noting that they didn't achieve anything extraordinary at the time but were still pleased with simply finishing the swim.

What sport did the speaker's father want them to pursue?

The speaker's father wanted them to become a swimmer, as their father believed that swimming was essential in life since the world is 70% water.

Why did the speaker's parents discourage them from other sports like badminton and basketball?

The parents discouraged badminton because they feared the speaker's hand might get disproportionate from swinging a racket, and they did not allow basketball because of the physical contact and potential for injuries.

What are the challenges the speaker faces with swimming competitions?

The speaker talked about the emotional rollercoaster of competing, especially the feeling of disappointment when they narrowly miss winning, such as when they lost gold by being overtaken in the last 15 meters, only to win silver.

What was the key difference between training under local versus foreign coaches, according to the speaker?

The speaker explained that local coaches focus more on quantity, while foreign coaches, particularly those from countries like China, emphasize quality in training. This often results in more efficient and effective sessions.

How did the pandemic affect the speaker's training?

During the pandemic, the speaker's training was halted for nearly a year, and they experienced frustration due to the inability to train. They gained weight and their physical power declined, but gradually returned to training in 2021.

What does the speaker enjoy most about diving and underwater experiences?

The speaker enjoys exploring the underwater world, particularly the fascination with plankton that emit colorful lights when disturbed. They also mentioned the thrill of observing marine life like fish and octopuses during night dives.

What is the speaker's plan for their future career and exploration in the sport?

The speaker plans to continue exploring new sports and techniques, such as freediving, and possibly taking on new challenges in their athletic career while pursuing record-breaking achievements.

How did the speaker handle the stress of training and competition?

The speaker discussed how they coped with stress by sticking to a disciplined routine: school in the morning, practice in the afternoon, and rest in the evening. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a structured, focused lifestyle without distractions.