Watching the Olympics inspires me time and time again. Not merely because of the magical acrobatic routines, the strategic Judo maneuvers to outsmart the opponent, or the never-ending achievements of women athletes, but most of all – the true champion's mindset. The impeccable ability to perform, and even score a win, under immense pressure as the eyes of the world are upon you.
Hundreds of athletes worldwide have trained for years for this opportunity to represent their countries, suffering defeats, hardships, injuries, and a constant mental battle to keep on going.
Now, the world's finest have this one sole chance to both reach the peak of their careers and fulfill their lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic champion, as well as granting their countries the ultimate honor and pride.
Have you ever desired something with your entire being? Ironically, once that happens, your body and mind will present you with every inner obstacle possible. Intrusive thoughts, low self-esteem, and the widely discussed "Imposter Syndrom" are just the tip of the iceberg.
The body's physical reactions are no less challenging. Ever got "cold feet"? It is not only a figure of speech, with your body "freezing", leaving you unable to perform even the easiest of tasks – like taking a step.
Apparently, this phenomenon has a name: "Mental Hijack." It is the perfect title to describe this incredibly frustrating situation in which you feel completely helpless. We are taught so much throughout our childhood, and yet many fail to master this valuable skill later in life. Thankfully, Olympic champions do. I've drafted the great Israeli Judoka Ori Sasson to let us in on a true Olympian mindset.
Ori, a seven-time Israeli champion, silver medalist at the European Games, and two-time Olympic bronze medalist in 2016 and 2020, has quit Judo and now supports the Israeli Olympic team all the way from Tel Aviv.
I found myself trying to imagine what it must have been like for him, time and time again – just 4 minutes on the clock to defeat an opponent, with a medal and national pride hanging in the balance. The very thought made my heart race. How does someone function under such intense pressure? There's something almost superhuman about this ability.
"Now that I'm a fan rather than an athlete, I watch the Olympics and think, 'Wow, did I really do that? Look at what these athletes are doing!'" Sasson joked, adding that Olympic champions don't have innate "superpowers": "It's not easy for anyone. Some people's personalities might fit their sport better, due to their upbringing or inherent traits. But that doesn't mean others can't adapt. It'll be harder – it was for me. There'll be struggles, lots of suffering, but when you win, it'll be even sweeter than for those who had it easier." The good news is – performing under pressure just like an Olympian does, is a highly attainable goal.
A void to fill
Looking back at his personal growth, he vividly remembers his first competition at merely 9: "I was incredibly anxious," Ori recalled. "I wanted there to be a traffic jam, so we wouldn't reach the community center where the competition took place."
Despite projecting a tough exterior at 6'3" (1.90m), he shared a significant factor that made things difficult for him, and for many others in handling pressure: "I have a lot of emotion. The way I reacted to difficulty, pain, and even success was always very emotional and extreme. I simply didn't know how to manage my emotions effectively and properly," he said.
"To be able to handle all that, I believe you need to have something... missing inside. It's what pushes you to fight." Intrigued, I asked him to elaborate. "This applies to any field you wish to succeed in. Often, there's some void to fill – maybe it's love or recognition. It can't all be perfect. Without that need, where would your drive come from? The intense desire to win? The motivation to put in years of effort? The key is figuring out what it is for you. Once you find that trigger, that's what you work with and focus on."
"Pressure is a privilege"
Reflecting on his own experiences with pressure, he chuckled, "It's gotten the better of me many times. Probably more than people might think. Each time it happened, it was crushing. A mental defeat is the worst. But losing when you've given your all – that's the closest thing to winning. It hurts, but you can live with it, because you didn't give in to those negative voices saying 'Give up, it's too much.' That's what truly matters, even more than winning. Once I understood this, it became my focus."
His advice for those of us who are paralyzed by fear and pressure: "Remember, pressure is a privilege. It can help if you use it right. Embrace it. If you're feeling pressure, you're probably pushing your boundaries. That's where growth happens."
This point of view has made feeling pressure somewhat enjoyable for Ori, making it a leverage rather than an obstacle. "You need that edge. It's good before public appearances, exams, and even a job interview. Otherwise, you're too complacent."
I told him that especially in these turbulent times worldwide, one would prefer complacency over living on the edge. "Those who avoid risks are standing still. There's no easy way out, we can only find more effective ways to cope. Life is full of challenges – breakups, losses, the Oct. 7 attack, failures. Should we stop living? Stop trying? Never leave our comfort zone? Of course not."
Video: Making history: The Israeli team wins silver in rhythmic gymnastics in the Paris Olympics. Credit: Oren Aharoni
What makes a champion?
I asked Ori what he thinks makes a champion. "Becoming a champion is about putting in the effort. We've all seen talented people who didn't work hard and never reached their potential. It's about refusing to settle for less. A champion is someone who's always looking to grow, constantly pushing their limits, never giving up, not even for a single moment. Being a champion doesn't necessarily mean winning a gold medal. Everyone has their own potential to fulfill. If you reach that potential, you're a champion in your own right."
"Do the psychological work," he added. "Understand why you react the way you do. Accept that feeling pressure is okay. Self-compassion goes a long way in preventing anxiety." He raised an interesting point – most of the time, it's about the story we tell ourselves, the negative image we plant in our minds – that makes us stressed or anxious, rather than the situation itself.
"It's all about perspective. There will always be more opportunities. Value yourself for trying and understand that life doesn't always go as planned. We need to see losses or failures as things to embrace. They're not pleasant, they're frustrating, but accept that it's part of the process. When you internalize this, coping becomes easier. We're not perfect, not the smartest, most beautiful, or strongest, but we're always striving to grow."
Imagine my surprise, when an Olympic champion who competed against the best in the world, told me the way to success is paved by realizing we're flawed. There's something deeply relieving about understanding that true strength comes from consistently lifting ourselves up.
"If there's something you want to achieve, remember: It'll be hard, but you can handle it. Avoiding is easy, but it's much worse than trying and failing. I wish I'd understood this earlier; it would have saved me a lot of suffering. You asked what makes a champion? That's it. Someone who tries. Even if it means facing embarrassment, humiliation, or insult – they still go for it."
