I recently went one-on-one with Cherita O’dell. Cherita competed in the long jump for Barbados in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your story and your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. What is something about you that would surprise people?
Cherita: People would be surprised to know that I was once a runway model and an advanced scuba diver. I never sought to pursue modelling as a profession, but the confidence that I built from commanding the stage carried over into every aspect of my life. Also, when you have dived over 200ft under the sea to view a shipwreck, challenges that would floor some don’t sway me. Innately I know that I can conquer them if I breathe slowly and deeply.
Adam: What is something that would surprise people about the life of an Olympian?
Cherita: Olympians are otherwise normal people in most of their daily life. It’s their way of thinking that sets them apart. Their mind sees success as inevitable, their birthright, and they therefore pursue it as if they are deserving. With that attitude, it’s simply the repetition of strenuous training under high intensity that makes goals attainable.
Adam: How did you get here? What failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Cherita: It took practicing for hours, six days a week, while dealing with the academic demands of college. Imagine repetitive drills day after day after day, just to improve an inch. Then you make the improvement, and your competitor jumps farther too. Or, just on the cusp of making a stellar jump, your body doesn’t respond, and you have to spend time resting and showing it care and attention. Sometimes, the disappointment of failing against your own self was mentally debilitating. Lots of mental battles get you to the top. And being able to navigate those mental hurdles has prepared me for life.
Adam: What is your most notable memory from your Olympic experience?
Cherita: Sadly, it is not a happy memory. It was the highest and lowest point of my life experienced at the exact same time. In a practice meet just days before my event, it started raining cats and dogs. They were going to shut down the meet after I jumped, as I was the last competitor. I went blazing down the runway, and as I hit the wet board, my leg slipped from under me. As I took off, I tore my hamstring in 3 places. I laid there crumpled on the ground, the water from the rain mixing with my tears, and as I watched the stands clear out, I knew that the dream was over. I ended up having to watch my own event from a small TV in the Olympic dorm.
Adam: What are the best lessons you learned from the achievement of becoming an Olympian and from your experience competing in the Olympics?
Cherita: I learned that life happens. Bad things can happen to you when you least expect it in moments that you can only deem as unfair. But, you have to get back up, not let mishaps define you, and harness all of your strength to get over what at the time seems insurmountable. It is that quality that turned me into a beast over the course of my career and my life. I have an indomitable spirit that propels me to go after what I want and succeed at all costs. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. Self-actualization is the only goal.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Cherita: True leadership is leading from within and not lording from above. It’s about getting into the trenches with your team. It’s one thing to delegate, yes, but you have to be willing to join them in crises and rally the troops from within. Only when your team sees you with them as opposed to over them will they execute at optimal levels.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Cherita: 1. Always remember your why so that your work does not become your identity and supersede everything you were working for in the first place (such as financial stability, more time with your family, and a lifestyle of peace and joy).
2. Set boundaries so that you guard yourself against burnout. Stop feeling guilty about indulging in self-care.
3. See your work as serving others as opposed to grinding out coins for your financial gain. The more you want to meet the needs of your clients and customers, the more that wealth will be attracted to you. Be purposeful in your work life, and your passion will supersede the rigors of your career.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Cherita: When you give, try to do so anonymously, so that it is never about you. This posture serves to ensure that you are always blessing others cheerfully without the expectation of being seen or receiving anything in return. I have done this in my work and personal life, and it has caused me to seek out opportunities to serve. As a result, my heart feels full.
