In this episode, Olympian Sarah Straton shares what it was like to achieve one of the highest honours in sport, only to realise it didn’t quiet the inner voice telling her she wasn’t enough. Sarah speaks openly about the emotional cost of chasing perfection, the identity struggles beneath the surface, and the inner work it took to finally feel at peace beyond performance.
About our guest
Sarah Straton is an Olympic beach volleyball player who struggled with perfectionism and tying her self-worth to her achievements. After retiring from professional sport, she found purpose in helping others navigate similar challenges. Sarah works with families, sporting organisations, and corporations to facilitate wellbeing and performance.
Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e2
00:00 Sarah Straton Intro
00:30 The Burden of Perfectionism
02:37 Awareness and Acceptance
05:22 The Journey to Self-Discovery
07:34 Reflections on Olympic Experience
09:51 The Impact of Upbringing
12:32 Embracing Imperfection
14:51 The Role of Self-Compassion
17:07 Navigating Perfectionism Today
23:54 The Cost of Action vs. Inaction
26:06 Motivation Beyond Fear
28:10 Facing Fear and Expanding Comfort Zones
30:52 Reframing Fear as Excitement
34:00 From Avoidance to Embracing Opportunities
36:11 The Gift of Self-Awareness
41:08 Messages to Our Younger Selves
42:49 Top Tips for Self-Discovery and Growth
46:00 Its a wrap
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com
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