In this episode, Aldo interviews Cath Bishop, an
Olympian and former war diplomat. Cath shares her journey from
being a non-sporty child to becoming an Olympic rower, training
rigorously and competing in three Olympic Games. She discusses the
challenges she faced and the pressure to perform, as well as the
importance of defining success beyond medals. Kath also talks about
her transition to working as a diplomat for the British Foreign
Office, where she focused on conflict issues and rebuilding
post-war zones. She reflects on the complexities of diplomacy in
conflict situations and the lessons she learned from her
experiences. In this conversation, Cath Bishop discusses the
importance of support and vulnerability in a team, the need to look
after each other, the role of coaching and challenging others,
redefining success in education, the value of failure, childhood
aspirations, and a book recommendation.
Takeaways
Success should be defined beyond medals and awards, focusing on
personal growth, meaningful contributions, and lasting value.
The pursuit of excellence should be balanced with rest,
recovery, and a broader identity beyond one's profession or
achievements.
The pressure to win and the obsession with medals can lead to
feelings of emptiness and a lack of fulfillment.
In conflict situations, diplomacy is challenging and often
limited by the hostile environment, but it is crucial to work
towards political solutions and stability.
True happiness comes from contributing to something bigger than
oneself and finding purpose in one's actions. Support and
vulnerability are crucial in a team environment.
Looking after each other is essential for individual and team
well-being.
Coaching and challenging others can lead to personal growth and
improved performance.
Redefining success in education involves focusing on broader
measures of achievement.
Failure is a valuable learning tool and can lead to personal
growth and improvement.
Childhood aspirations can be diverse and may change over
time.
Margaret Heffernan's books offer valuable insights into culture
and success.
Interviewing Olympians who didn't win medals can provide
valuable lessons and perspectives.
TeachPitch Founder Aldo de Pape interviews people from a variety of professional circles from all over the world how they overcame deep personal challenges and managed to achieve great professional success.