EP79: SOAR with Charles Austin, Olympic Gold Medalist, Entrepreneur, Author and Coach

Becoming UnDone with Toby Brooks

About the Guest:

Charles Austin is an American high jump legend best remembered for his extraordinary athletic achievements. He won the gold medal in the high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, setting an Olympic record and securing his place in sports history. Not only is he a world champion, but his jump is ranked as the fifth highest in recorded human history. Apart from his track and field success, Austin has successfully transitioned from sport to entrepreneurship. He owns and operates one of the country's most prestigious athlete development centers and has founded Total Body Board, bringing innovation to fitness training.

Episode Summary:

The latest episode of Becoming UnDone features a riveting conversation with Charles Austin, an Olympic gold medalist whose journey from a severe knee injury to the top of the podium is an inspiration to all. From his late start in high jump to clinching the Olympic gold, Austin shares how he defied expectations and overcame setbacks to emerge victorious.

Austin delves into the adversities he faced, starting with his career-threatening knee injury that prompted him to self-rehabilitate using a unique process of his own creation. His determination to return stronger and win Olympic gold, despite professional advice claiming his career was over, is a testament to his resolve. Austin’s account sheds light on the mental challenges of being a high-level competitor and how he leveraged his track and field discipline into successful business ventures, including the creation of the Total Body Board fitness equipment.

Key Takeaways:

• Charles Austin illustrates the mental and physical hurdles he conquered to achieve Olympic gold.
• He emphasizes the importance of failure and self-correction as key components of growth and success.
• Austin's post-athletic career as an entrepreneur and sports performance coach is as much a story of determination as his athletic triumphs.
• Translating athletic discipline into business acumen, Austin has found success in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.
• His innovative approach to training and fitness has led him to create the Total Body Board, used by NBA champions among other professional athletes.

Notable Quotes:

"I knew in my heart and in my soul what I could accomplish. I know what God, the talent that I was blessed with that God gave me." "It's a challenge. It's another way to compete."

Support the show

Becoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.