Voice of the Athlete: Robin Smith

We had the opportunity to interview Robin Smith, a former D1 pole vaulter at the University of Arkansas, who now competes in the 800m race and coaches youth runners.

Let’s listen to the Voice of the Athlete: Robin Smith.

Question: How did you get started as a pole vaulter?

Voice of the Athlete: After finishing my competitive gymnastics career, I joined the track team in junior high and competed in hurdles. A friend suggested I try pole vault, and I thought I would be able to pick it up based on my background in gymnastics.

Question: Did you ever experience a run-through, and how did you get past it both physically and mentally?

Voice of the Athlete: Yes, I did. Personally, I had to take time off to regather myself mentally. I have come to realize that if I'm not enjoying my sport, something is wrong, and it's a sign of burnout. I think time off to reassess and reflect is one of the best ways to work through burnout or run-through. It is time well spent, like an investment in self. It will help you in the long run, and I think it is more important than short-term gains. Physically, this time off always helped me get stronger, as well as resting the body.

Question: How did you mentally prepare before competition?

Voice of the Athlete: I tend to have a lot of nerves before competitions, so I try to relax as much as possible. I keep myself occupied and go about my day so that I won’t think too much about my upcoming competition and get overly nervous.

Question: Have you ever had limiting beliefs that you had to work through to take your performance to the next level?

Voice of the Athlete: I have never entertained limiting beliefs in myself. I didn’t know what I was actually capable of. I have always wanted to see what’s possible, whatever that may be. Of course, I had thoughts of competitive marks and standards being unattainably high, but these marks always inspired me to try rather than say “well, it’s impossible.” My thinking is that anyone who has achieved high marks in sport has, at some point, thought the same thing and then achieved it. I just try to focus on putting the work into the best of my ability.

Question: How did you stay focused at competition when under pressure?

Voice of the Athlete: Since I experience nerves before competition, I usually keep to myself and focus on my warm-up and completing what I need to do before competition starts. I’m not a big talker, but conversing with my family helps keep my nerves in check.

Voice of the Athlete: Robin Smith

Question: What is the greatest piece of advice that you were ever given?

Voice of the Athlete: I once heard someone say, “It’s just sport.” It sounds so simple, yet it’s such a profound statement. Losing is not the end of the world (we are better for it), and winning isn’t the beginning of sustained and uninterrupted success. There are many ups and downs in sport and training, and you have to feel the same about the good and the bad. At the end of the day, it is just sport, and we are all doing it to test ourselves and at least try to enjoy the process.

Question: How did you move into coaching and what do you enjoy most about it?

Voice of the Athlete: I think coaching has just been a natural progression as an athlete. That's why my husband and I started Track Republic. Both of us are former collegiate track athletes. One attribute that I have realized over time is that I have the ability to truly encourage other athletes on their journey. I have noticed that my husband, Orey Smith, also has this unique ability, even more so. Coaches need that ability to encourage and inspire. Watching athletes not only succeed but becoming encouraged and inspired to keep moving forward despite circumstances is the best feeling in the world.

Question: What is the biggest mental challenge your youth athletes face, and how do you help them overcome it?

Voice of the Athlete: I think youth athletes put way too much pressure on themselves. For some reason, they think a bad workout or a bad race/competition is the end of the world and their career in sport. They think they have let everyone down when that is so far from the truth. It’s all part of the process of developing character. Bad competitions or workouts are not the end of the world and they mean nothing. I tell my son Jeremy this all the time. He gets discouraged about bad trainings, and I tell him it’s all part of the process. I tell him to treat the negatives and positives equally, with neutrality, and not to buy into either.

To learn more about how to handle pressure and manage tough emotions as an athlete, check out: https://www.MaximumComposure.com

Question: What advice do you give the athletes you coach on how to not overthink during training or competition?

Voice of the Athlete: I tell athletes to do two to three things well. Do your workouts and training, and then go about your day. Don’t let your entire identity get wrapped up in your sport. Sport is not who you are. It’s what you do. For example, my son Jeremy is 13 years old. He is going into 8th grade. He likes cooking and baking and runs competitively. When he’s not running, he’s developing skills in another preferred discipline, but the main focus is still running. This keeps his mind off running. When he does go out for a workout, he’s fresher and hasn’t been overthinking his training all day.

Question: How do you manage the challenge of being an athlete, mom, and coach?

Voice of the Athlete: This is a hard one. I feel like I wear so many different hats, and I do! Honestly, I try to focus on one thing at a time and what needs the most attention at the moment. I try to plan ahead, but sometimes I don’t even have time for that. I mostly focus on getting the big things done first, and then filling in the gaps if I have time. So, if I have a big workout ahead, that’s my priority for the day, and I just fill in the gaps for everything else as needed. Prioritize!

Question: What's the best piece of advice you were ever given?

Voice of the Athlete: When I was really young, I remember my dad telling me, “If they can do it, why can’t you? What’s the difference - we’re all human?” I was probably not more than 5 or 6 years old, but it had such a profound effect on my life. It became my default mode of thinking. I was capable of anything if I really wanted to do it. I basically went for it in sports and hardly ever questioned my ability, good or bad!

Question: What are you training for now and what are you most excited about?

Voice of the Athlete: I'm training to race the 800 meters. It's not an easy race by any means, but it feels easier to me than long distance or marathons. I'm excited to keep getting faster and to see how far I can push my times down. It's exciting to me to see what I'm capable of, whatever that ends up being. I love competing, and I'm excited to test myself on the track.

Question: What legacy do you want to leave as an athlete for the next generation of athletes?

Voice of the Athlete: The legacy of defying expectations, pushing the line of what is commonly accepted or expected by others, and inspiring the athletic spirit in others to start or try again. The legacy of not giving in and going for it! The only way we grow is by defying expectations.

To learn more about the mindset of athletes: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/lucidity/role-of-instinct-in-the-athletes-performance

Robin is a youth runners coach for Track Republic. Learn more about the online and in-person training available for competitive distance runners at Track Republic.

Listen to the Voice of the Athlete: Robin Smith.

Takeaway #1: When she was 5 or 6 years old, her dad told her, "If they can do it, why can't you? What's the difference - we're all human?" It became her default mode of thinking, and she went for it in sports.

Takeaway #2: Losing is not the end of the world (we are better for it), and winning isn't the beginning of sustained and uninterrupted success. There are many ups and downs in sport and training, and you have to feel the same about the good and the bad.

Takeaway #3: The only way we grow is by defying expectations, pushing the line of what is commonly accepted or expected by others, and inspiring the athletic spirit in others to start or try again. The legacy of not giving in and going for it!

Thank you, Robin Smith, for being the Voice of the Athlete and for providing insight into what it takes to be a competitive 800m athlete and to inspire and coach the next generation of runners. Follow Robin @robinzahra.

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If you want to be featured in the Voice of the Athlete series, DM us on Instagram or email us at contact@mentalaccelerator.com.

Question for you: What is your default mode?