Today I had the opportunity to interview USA Olympic gold medalist David Boudia as he prepares for the Olympics. He recently has partnered with Head & Shoulders (which explains his great head of hair).
David Bourdia has gone to both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. In 2012 he won gold in the 10 meter platform diving event. He attended Purdue University where he met his mentor and diving coach, Adam Soldati. You can read more on his personal journey on his website.
- How are you going into these Olympic trials, and Olympic games both mentally and physically?
- “Not up until a couple weeks ago I was feeling like I was in a good spot, training wise. Six days from now we start trials and I feel the most confident than I ever have. Beginning of this training period half was not the greatest for me as some small training aspects were not in lined. I am ready and confident now for trials.”
- Your website talks about your fall, and rise again because of your faith, can you explain that a little more?
- “Sure, in both Olympic experiences I had completely different trips because 2008 it was all about me. It was all about what I wanted and when I wanted – look how great David is. It was fleeting, and satisfying in the moment, but then lead to heartbreak and depression and I did not want to dive anymore. Faith was the last thing on my mind, but my sophomore year I learned there was more to my life than myself. Going into 2012, it was no more about me, it was all about God’s glory, and those around me. I wanted to be authentic and open about my faith, and that I generally care about people and relationships I have.”
- What was it like when you won gold? What were all the emotions that went through you?
- “This was a hard question to answer… when I was 7 this was my dream. I would picture myself before bed on the podium with the national flag playing and when it did actually come true it was hard to fathom. I didn’t want to cry on the podium, but it was a wave of emotion and the feeling that I had was thankfulness. With my family being right beside me and some of the Purdue supporters, the dream was better than I had imagined. I could not have been on the podium without my family and God.”
- When your synchronized diving partner Nick McCroy chose to retire from diving in order to pursue a medical degree, how much did that impact you?
- “Yeah at that time, we were thinking of doing a different event but it helped the decision ultimately. I am happy for him.”
- Are you going to be doing synchronized diving for Olympic trials/games? If so, will it still be with Steele Johnson?
- “Yes to both questions. Steele is a young gun and has passion and fire for this sport and it is refreshing for me. It will be different. I am very excited to work with him because we have a lot of potential, and are contending for the gold. It is just a matter of how we go about the training because this [synchronized diving] is a different beast. Adam and I will help him ride the emotional wave that comes with the Olympics.”
- Will your wife and daughter be coming to support you at the games?
- “Yes they will be, so will my entire family and her side of the family. They will leave a few days before the opening ceremony.”
- What is your secret to your great head of hair?
- “Head and Shoulders is why my hair is so great! They just launched a new video; and it helps me with going into training and having such support. There is a lot of pressure and I am thankful that they are supporting, motivating and believing in me.”
- What advice do you have for any aspiring fans as you go into these Olympic Trials as the defending gold medalist?
- “When we [Adam and David] look at our goals, it overwhelms us but not until we set the main goal. I don’t set goals to make them unachievable, they are baby steps to a bigger goal. Dreams are achievable, I was once a 7 year old with a dream that four years ago came true. Never stop training and believing.”
You can watch his Head & Shoulders ad here.