Build Elite-Level Confidence with Olympic Gymnast Samantha Peszek
In this episode of the Voice of Influence podcast, Andrea Wenburg interviews Samantha Peszek, a 2008 Olympic silver medalist and NBC women’s gymnastics analyst for the 2024 Olympics. Samantha shares her journey from a young gymnast motivated by her athlete parents and a competitive household to achieving her Olympic dreams. She discusses the intense mental and physical challenges of gymnastics, the importance of confidence, and her transition into sports broadcasting. Samantha also talks about founding Beam Queen Bootcamp to empower young gymnasts and the critical role of parents in nurturing their children’s aspirations. This episode explores themes of resilience, mental health, confidence building, and the power of positive self-talk.
2008 Olympic Trials Balance Beam
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:58 Samantha’s Gymnastics Journey Begins
05:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Gymnastics
09:30 The Importance of Confidence
17:33 Media Training and Public Speaking
19:59 Transition to Sports Broadcasting
22:59 The Power of Initiative
23:31 Overcoming Rejection in Broadcasting
24:37 From Athlete to Broadcaster
25:56 The Art of Sports Commentary
27:35 Preparation and Regrets
28:26 Lessons from Gymnastics
35:30 Helping the Next Generation
40:11 Future Endeavors and Final Advice
Elite-Level Confidence with Olympic Gymnast Samantha Peszek
As we step into a new year, confidence and goal-setting are on everyone’s mind. Samantha Peszek, 2008 Olympic silver medalist and current NBC gymnastics analyst, joined the Voice of Influence podcast to share her journey—from a five-year-old gymnast with big dreams to a successful athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health. Her insights offer powerful lessons for anyone looking to strengthen their confidence and achieve their goals.
The Foundation of Confidence
Samantha credits her parents for instilling a belief that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. “I was five and very bad at gymnastics, but my parents didn’t say, ‘You’ll never make the Olympics.’ They said, ‘If that’s your dream, we’ll support you.’ That belief set the foundation for my confidence—not just in gymnastics, but in everything I’ve done since.”
She also emphasized that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you build. “Confidence is like a muscle. The more you work at it, the stronger it gets. It might feel awkward or difficult at first, but over time, it becomes second nature.”
Lessons from the Beam
Samantha’s experience on the balance beam—a notoriously challenging gymnastics event—reflects her approach to life. She admits it wasn’t her strongest event as a young athlete. “Beam was my worst event. But I studied my idols, practiced looking confident, and over time, I became one of the best. By college, it was my strongest event, and I even won a national championship.”
Through her company, Beam Queen Bootcamp, Samantha now teaches gymnasts these life lessons. She explains confidence as a combination of “hard work and positive self-talk.” “You can’t have one without the other. If you work hard but tell yourself you’ll fail, you will. And if you hype yourself up without putting in the effort, you won’t get far.”
The Power of “Acting As If”
One key insight Samantha shares is the idea of “acting as if.” She distinguishes this from being inauthentic: “It’s not about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about stepping into the version of yourself you want to become. When I didn’t feel confident on beam, I acted as if I did. Over time, that confidence became real.”
She also points out how this applies beyond gymnastics, such as in public speaking or leadership. “You might feel nervous or out of your depth, but by focusing on your message and showing up with purpose, you start to embody the confidence you’re striving for.”
Small Daily Wins Build Big Goals
As an entrepreneur and mentor, Samantha encourages breaking down big goals into manageable steps. “Instead of focusing on the overwhelming end result, ask, ‘What’s one small thing I can do today?’ Those small wins compound over time, and before you know it, you’re where you want to be.”
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