High performance isn’t an accident. It’s a combination of focused effort, strong values, and a relentless commitment to growth.

In this interview, I dive deep into the mindset, habits, and leadership strategies that shaped my journey from Olympic gold medalist to executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or corporate leader, these principles can help you elevate your performance, strengthen your team, and achieve ambitious goals.

Success is about more than raw talent or luck. It’s about how you train your mind, build resilience, and commit to continuous improvement. That’s what I teach in my leadership workshops, keynotes, and coaching programs—helping individuals and organizations create a culture of excellence and values-driven achievement.

If you’re ready to think, lead, and perform like a champion, this post will give you practical insights you can start using today.

Looking for a keynote speaker or leadership training that drives real results? Learn more about my executive coaching and speaking programs here.

ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

Think and live like an Olympic Gold Medallist

Think and Live Like a Gold Medalist

An Interview with Two-Time Olympian Adam Kreek

By Jim Afremow Ph.D., LPC

Trust the Talent: A Deep Dive into the Mindset of an Olympic Champion

Canadian rower Adam Kreek is not only a world-class athlete but also a passionate advocate for excellence in all areas of life. A gold medalist in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in the men's eights and a three-time world champion (2002, 2003, 2007), Adam’s dedication to peak performance has made him one of Canada’s most recognized rowing champions.

Beyond sports, Adam holds a degree in geotechnical engineering and hydrology from Stanford University and is now a leading motivational keynote speaker, executive coach, and high-performance strategist. Through workshops and speaking engagements, he helps individuals and organizations optimize their performance in sports, business, and personal development.

In this exclusive interview, Adam shares mental and psychological strategies for success, his approach to teamwork and leadership, and key insights on overcoming adversity. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or business leader, these principles will help you build resilience, focus, and long-term success.

Mindset and Mental Strategies for Peak Performance

JIM: Can you describe your mental and psychological approach to practice?

ADAM: Being fully present in every moment is the key to effective practice. Success isn’t about just going through the motions—it’s about focused, intentional effort with your entire being. This is what ingrains high-performance habits into your subconscious.

One tool I use to maintain presence is visualization. I imagine a coach, mentor, or spiritual guide standing behind me, constantly reminding me to stay focused. When my mind wanders, I mentally hear them say, "BE HERE NOW!" This brings me back to the task at hand.

Ben Rutledge, my former teammate and a current coach at the University of British Columbia, often says:
"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

By ensuring that every training session is purposeful, we develop a winning mindset that translates to success in competition, business, and life.

Developing a Champion’s Mindset for Competition

JIM: Can you describe your mental and psychological approach to competition?

ADAM: The goal of competition is to win, but paradoxically, focusing too much on the outcome can weaken performance. It’s similar to searching for the perfect job, relationship, or financial security—if you focus only on the end result, you miss the process that leads to success.

Competition reveals our true character. It pushes us to confront our strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic. Here are the key questions I ask myself before every big event:

Observing, rather than judging, your thoughts and emotions before and after competition leads to growth. This awareness fuels long-term improvement and often results in victory as a natural byproduct.

Overcoming Adversity: The Road to Olympic Gold

JIM: What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your sport, and how did you overcome it?

ADAM: Six months before the 2008 Olympics, I suffered from herniated and bulged discs in my lower back (L4-L5, L5-S1). The physical pain was unbearable, but the psychological toll was even greater. One doctor even told me that I might never compete again.

I fell into a deep depression, but two key pieces of advice helped me recover:

By shifting my mindset and strategy, I recovered in just eight weeks—less than half the expected recovery time. Adversity is inevitable, but how we respond determines our success.

The Key Ingredient for Effective Teamwork

JIM: From your experience, what is one key ingredient for effective teamwork?

ADAM: The most important quality of a successful team is buy-in. Without full commitment from every team member, even the best strategies will fail.

I have seen personal egos and overconfidence destroy the potential of great teams. Athletes and professionals alike must adopt this mantra:

"If you wanna win, you gotta buy-in."

Commitment means:

Teams that cultivate buy-in and trust will always outperform those that don’t.

Performing Under Pressure: Lessons from the Olympic Games

JIM: How did the Olympics compare to your initial expectations?

ADAM: Surprisingly, the Olympics felt normal. I had expected overwhelming nerves, but instead, I felt prepared and comfortable—which, at first, was unsettling.

To manage my nerves, I developed a simple but powerful ritual:

"Today is a very special day. A day like any other day, but a little more special. Today is Race Day."

By labeling competition days as “special” rather than overwhelming, I was able to embrace any unexpected emotions and perform at my highest level.

Lessons in Motivation: The Power of the Right Questions

JIM: What is the best advice you received that helped you excel in your sport?

ADAM: My Olympic coach, Mike Spracklen, would ask me this question at critical moments:

"Do you want to win, Adam? Do you?"

Hearing this question when my actions didn’t align with my goals forced me to recommit. Every high performer needs a mentor who challenges them to be better.

The right questions at the right time can unlock deeper motivation and higher achievement.

Coaching and Leadership: Helping Others Reach Peak Performance

JIM: Discuss your current work in helping others achieve peak performance.

ADAM: Since winning Olympic gold, I have dedicated my career to helping others achieve their full potential. Through keynote speaking, leadership training, and executive coaching, I share the lessons of elite performance and values-driven success.

My eight-week coaching program helps individuals and organizations develop:

If you’re ready to perform at a higher level, I encourage you to explore my coaching and leadership programs. Success is not just about winning—it’s about building a mindset and system that sustain peak performance for life.

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Adam Kreek is on a mission to positively impact organizational cultures and leaders who make things happen.

Kreek is an Executive Business Coach who lives in Victoria, BC, near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Seattle, Washington, USA, in the Pacific Northwest. He works with clients globally, often travelling to California in the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Georgia, Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist, a storied adventurer and a father.

He authored the bestselling business book, The Responsibility Ethic: 12 Strategies Exceptional People Use to Do the Work and Make Success Happen. 

Discover our thoughts on Values here.

Want to increase your leadership achievement? Learn more about Kreek’s coaching here.

Want to book a keynote that leaves a lasting impact? Learn more about Kreek’s live event service here.

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