Olympic Gold Medalist: Other People Were Killing My Confidence (And How I Got It Back) - Caroline Marks
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this powerful episode filmed at California Surf Club, Dr. Michael Gervais sits down with Caroline Marks, the 2023 World Surf League Women's Champion and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist. At just 23 years old, Caroline has reached the pinnacle of professional surfing, but her story extends far beyond medals and trophies. (03:00) She opens up about rebuilding herself after the heartbreak of finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, sharing how six months of intensive therapy helped her rediscover her identity beyond surfing. (42:42)
- Core Theme: The conversation explores how mastering emotional awareness and inner work became Caroline's competitive advantage, demonstrating that championship-level performance requires both physical excellence and psychological sophistication.
Speakers
Dr. Michael Gervais
High performance psychologist who has worked with world-class athletes, teams, and organizations. He specializes in the psychology of elite performance and has been involved with multiple Olympic teams, helping athletes navigate the mental and emotional demands of competition at the highest levels.
Caroline Marks
At 23, Caroline is the youngest surfer to qualify for world championships and currently holds both the 2023 World Surf League Women's Championship and 2024 Olympic Gold Medal. She began competing professionally at age 15 after picking up surfing at 11, and has established herself as one of the most dominant surfers of her generation through technical excellence and mental resilience.
Key Takeaways
Emotional Awareness as Competitive Advantage
Caroline demonstrates that mastering emotions isn't about suppressing them, but learning to work with their complexity. (07:48) During the Tokyo Olympics, she experienced multiple conflicting emotions simultaneously—sadness over her fourth-place finish, genuine joy for her teammate's victory, and deep personal disappointment. Rather than being overwhelmed, she used these emotions as information. She explains that being vulnerable publicly about her struggles actually became a source of strength, as it helped her connect with others facing similar challenges. This emotional sophistication allowed her to celebrate Carissa Moore's gold medal victory even while grieving her own loss—a moment that revealed championship character beyond technical skill.
Strategic Withdrawal for Long-Term Success
After Tokyo, Caroline made the counterintuitive decision to take six months completely away from surfing to focus on intensive therapy and self-discovery. (42:42) This wasn't avoidance—it was strategic investment in her foundation. She returned to her roots in Florida, surrounding herself with family and working to answer the fundamental question: "Who is Caroline?" This period of intentional withdrawal from competition allowed her to rebuild her relationship with the sport from a place of authentic motivation rather than external pressure. The result was her most successful period, proving that sometimes stepping back is the fastest way forward.
Building Unshakeable Self-Trust
Caroline's approach to self-confidence is rooted in preparation and process rather than outcomes. (56:57) She builds trust in herself by doing the work—training intensively, preparing thoroughly, and knowing she can say "I did everything I can to prepare for this moment." This creates what she calls "bred confidence"—confidence that comes from knowing you've honored your commitment to excellence. When facing pressure situations, she draws on this foundation of preparation, combined with gratitude, presence, and trust in the process, regardless of outcomes.
The Power of Selective Vulnerability
Caroline has learned to strategically choose when and with whom to be fully vulnerable. (24:41) She maintains a tight inner circle of people who knew her before her success—individuals who provide unconditional support through both victories and defeats. These relationships serve as emotional anchors during the inherent loneliness of elite competition. She emphasizes that trust must be earned through consistent behavior across different circumstances, and she's learned to protect her energy by being selective about who gets access to her authentic self.
Reframing Competition Loneliness
Caroline acknowledges the inherent loneliness of elite sport—competitors spend more time with each other than family, yet maintain emotional walls due to competitive dynamics. (42:49) Rather than seeing this as purely negative, she's learned to reframe difficult experiences as necessary components of extraordinary achievement. She recognizes that "super good things don't come easy" and uses this understanding to find meaning in challenging moments. This reframing allows her to maintain motivation and perspective during difficult periods of her career.
Statistics & Facts
- Caroline became the youngest surfer ever to qualify for world championships at age 16, demonstrating the compressed timeline of professional surfing careers. (33:58)
- She began competing on the World Surf League tour at age 15 after picking up surfing at just 11 years old, illustrating the early specialization required in professional surfing.
- Caroline took six months completely away from surfing for intensive therapy after Tokyo, showing the significant time investment elite athletes sometimes need for psychological development. (42:42)
