What Elana Meyers Taylor Learned From Her Olympic Gold

With the Olympic Winter Ceremonies beginning, we wanted to celebrate the heart and dedication these athletes show by listening to the teachings of an Olympic Gold Medalist.

Elana Meyers Taylor is not only a three-time Olympic Medalist, but she’s also the only American woman Gold Medalist in Bobsledding. She pilots for the United States Bobsledding team and has taken to the speaking stage to share some of her most cherished lessons from her 8 years of bobsledding.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Like every business, every project, every task, bobsledding begins with a plan. As the United States team pilot, Elana had even more pressure on her shoulders to know the path she would drive to victory.

Before each race, the team walks up the track memorizing the turns and feeling the ice. They plan and replan based on conditions, but one thing remains the same. Elana says their pre-sled routine stays the same with memorizing the plan, warming up, and keeping the common goal in mind. When you play a sport with as many variables as bobsledding routines are imperative.

Your Start Matters

As in life, how you start your bobsled determines the rest of the ride. The first 5 seconds of pushing, followed by the jump into the toboggan can either make or break your ride since there is no motor on the sled and the only energy comes from the first push. Elean realized that in life, starting a project or task with a positive attitude, focus, or determination, has the same effect as starting the run on a good note.

Step Up to the Toboggan

When things were going smooth and steady for Elana after her Bronze Medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, she decided to raise the stakes. She took on the hardest iteration of her sport and started training for the four-man bobsled. For decades, women weren’t allowed to compete in the four-man event, until Elana decided to make her dream come true. Not only did she break the mold, but…spoiler…she is the first woman to win a Gold in this event, as well as an international medal.

She believes that her drive and dedication to the sport pushed her into unknown territory, where real progress is made.

Learn From the Curves, Kinks, and Crashes

There are a few different types of curves in a bobsled track. Some are treacherous, while others are smooth and easy-going, but each holds its own lesson.

The omega curve is a c-shaped curve that brings you parallel to your starting point. Looking at one of these, Elana wonders why you have to go all the way around and you can’t just cut right to the final destination. What’s the point of these omega curves? This bewildered her until she related back to her career. Her entire life she played softball with the dream of competing in the Olympics. However, she bombed the tryout and thought all hope was lost, until her parents suggested bobsledding. Now, 8 years into her career, she sees that the lessons and strength she built in her time playing softball are the reason she’s so successful at bobsledding. Sometimes, taking the long way gets you to exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Then you have the chicanes, which are essentially straightaways with little kinks in them. Just like life, the bobsled track throws kinks into your plan even when it should be smooth sailing. This is where people make little mistakes, with big outcomes. Elana says little mistakes, even if they have harsh consequences, like a crash, should always be looked at as a learning opportunity.

And finally, you have the labyrinthine—smooth curves that are easy to enjoy. This series of turns reminds you to enjoy life when you can. When things are running smoothly, take a second to soak it in, because most likely it’ll be gone soon.

Enjoy the Ride

After finally achieving her dream of being a Gold Medal Olympian, Elena realized it was all about the journey of getting there. From appreciating the turns and hurdles of her journey to remembering the people who were there for her along the way, from her bronze to her silver to her gold, Elana says the ride to the top is what really matters.

We hope Elana’s ideas have inspired you to chase your own dreams. Watch her in the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 13.