Tips To Overcome Challenges With Olympian Georgia Godwin

"Georgia Godwin" on Small Bits of Happiness. In the background, there is a photo of Georgia Godwin, at the Olympics, mid-gymnastics. At the top, "Advice from an Olympic Gymnast, Georgia Godwin, How To Overcome Challenges" is written.

In this BIT: Olympic gymnast Georgia Godwin shares how she overcomes challenges, how to keep going and not give up.

Georgia Godwin is an Australian Olympic gymnast. When her parents enrolled her into gymnastics at the age of three, Georgia fell in love with the sport. Over the course of her career, Georgia has won the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medal. Despite her success, Georgia, just like all of us, has faced countless obstacles. In 2016, Georgia considered retiring from gymnastics, as due to ongoing injuries, she narrowly missed out on attending the Rio Olympics. However, her resilience and strong mindset has allowed her to keep going, and earn countless more successes. How can we overcome our own challenges? Below, Georgia shares with us her story and tips on how to keep going.

SBOH: You started gymnastics when you were three years old. What did you love about it then, and what do you love about it now?

Georgia Godwin: When I was younger, what I loved about gymnastics the was the challenge and my friends. Every day was a different day, I was continuously learning new skills and I could push myself as much as I wanted during the training sessions plus being able to spend every hour of gymnastics with a great group of girls with the same goals and ambitions as me.

What I love about it now is what this sport has taught me, the amazing people I’ve met along the way and the challenge of this sport that I mentioned before. I have learnt to trust the process and have patience due to having to deal with multiple serious injuries. I’ve also learnt that there is always good, even in the darkest days and that it’s important to find your inner circle. People who you can 100% trust and believe in. I’ve also been to over 20 international competition and met so many wonderful people along the way. Some of who I consider very close friends now.

Georgia Godwin on the Olympic gymnastics floor.

SBOH: How do you handle the pressure of competing at such a high level?

Georgia: I 100% still get nervous at every single competition I compete at. Whether that’s State Championships or the Olympic Games. I’ve learnt over the years what works for me and how to control my nerves in these high stress situations. Music, deep breathing exercises and a lot of positive self-talk works for me.

SBOH: As teenagers, we often face a variety of obstacles, varying from sports, friendships, academics, and beyond. What are your top three tips for teens to not give up when they have an obstacle in the way of pursuing something?

Georgia:

1. Reassess your goals. I think it’s normal to reassess your goals every now and then. I started questioning what I wanted to do with my gymnastics career when I finished school and saw all my friends going on gap year holidays or going to full time uni. During this time, I sat down and really thought about what I wanted. My dream of going to the Olympics was still something I couldn’t let go of, so I decided then and there, that everyone is on different paths. My Olympic dream was more important to me, and the gap year and uni would still be there when I retired from this sport.

2. Growth is uncomfortable. Sometimes sports requires you to move clubs, states or even countries. When I moved for gymnastics, I was scared to leave what I knew and all my friends. But my dad gave me some advice when I was 12 and it has stuck with me since then. He said “don’t give up on your goals and dreams and stay in the same place. Growth is sometimes uncomfortable, but your true friends will stick by you no matter what you do and where you go”.

3. Stay on top of school. I was juggling grade 12 with the build-up to the 2016 Olympic Games. One piece of advice for anyone going through grade 11 and 12 (or any grade for that matter) is to stay on top of your schoolwork and communicate with your teachers. Be organised and talk to teachers if you know of any upcoming events beforehand, and if work starts building up and starts to get overwhelming, make sure you speak up early and get on top of it. The teachers are happy to accommodate and help, but they won’t know this until you speak up.

Credit: Patrick Khachfe/JMP/REX/Shutterstock

SBOH: Support systems play a crucial role in overcoming obstacles. Who has been your biggest source of support and encouragement throughout your gymnastics career? Do you have any advice for teens to find support in their life?

Georgia: My biggest source of support has been my family. My mum, dad and brother have been beside me through the highs and lows of gymnastics and life. I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without their love, support and sacrifices. My advice for teens is to find your support network. Someone you can trust and turn to when you have a lot going on and need someone to lean on. Family, friends, psych, it could literally be anyone.

SBOH: Do you have any upcoming events, projects, or exciting news to share with the world?

Georgia: I am currently preparing for the World Championships held in Belgium in early October. This competition is an important one for us as it is our first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.

SBOH: What gives you a small bit of happiness everyday?

Georgia: A lot makes me happy during the day. Anything from a polite smile from a stranger to a good session in the gym to a beautiful sunset (I’m a sucker for a good sunset). On the tougher days, the small bit of happiness I can always count on is the great banter in the gym and an episode of The Office (US).