It’s a common belief that the individuals we spend the most time with influence who we become. This idea really drives home the point that our behaviour, choices, and overall outlook on life can be shaped by our closest friends, family, and companions. Equally important is recognizing the impact of parasocial relationships, which refer to one-sided emotional connections established with media figures and influencers through platforms such as podcasts and social media. Even though we may never meet them, we often feel a connection in some way.
My podcast preferences tend to change depending on what’s new with my favourite podcasters. Similarly, the social media accounts I follow now align with my current values and the direction my life is taking, as they provide content that resonates with me at any given moment.
When I signed up for the Challenge Barcelona Triathlon, I made deliberate choices. I evaluated whether media personalities, influencers, and fitness accounts could act as sources of inspiration, offer valuable guidance, share informative content, and leave me with a positive outlook during my training. In the most demanding moments of my training and endurance races, when I need that extra dose of inspiration to keep moving forward, I intentionally seek out the voices of podcasters to become the driving force in my thoughts. This is why I emphasise the importance of making intentional choices about what I listen to, as it becomes absolutely crucial in those situations. The social media accounts I follow now align with my current values and the direction my life is taking.
Now, I’m sharing four podcasts from my curated recommendations rooted in these one-sided connections. It’s their voices that continually inspired me throughout my training.
Podcast 1: Rich Roll
🎯 Rich Roll hosts a podcast masterclass on mindset, drawing wisdom from elite athletes and habit change experts, providing tools and guidance for success in athletics, personal growth, and your profession, with a transformative focus on mindset, habit change, and discipline.
Notable Quote: “In that zone, we experience our greatest levels of growth and discomfort. But discomfort is the price and admission to a meaningful life. – Susan David, PhD.
🔗 Episode #665 Mastering mindset a deep dive on mental toughness
Podcast 2 – Michael Ceely
🎯 This podcast explores personal perfectionism challenges, emphasising the need for ongoing progress despite setbacks and failures. Especially during challenging training sessions that may not go as expected.
Notable Quote: “keeping this negative self talk journal and countering it with positive self talk” Michael Ceely.
🔗 How High Performers Can Defeat Perfectionism
Podcast 3: Arnold’s Pump Club Podcast
🎯 I’m a big fan of these podcasts! Arnold’s “Body Pump” podcast: Quick, motivational, and goal-oriented. It’s all about self-esteem, effort, determination, consistency, and small steps to big goals.
Notable Quote:
🔗 Arnold’s Pump Club Podcast
Podcast 4: Ultimate Health Podcast
🎯 These podcasts feature in-depth discussions with prominent figures in the health and wellness field worldwide. Key takeaways from this episode encompass identifying the four obstacles that hinder your goal achievement, commencing the process of self-trust development, honing the skill of emotion management, and discovering the top food choices for enhancing brain health.
Notable Quote:
🔗 How to Achieve Any Goal You Have In Your Life | John Assaraf (#489)
