Closing the Gap with Lennie Waite, Professional Track Athlete & Sport Psychology Consultant

Lennie Waite is professional track athlete in the 3000m steeplechase and a sport psychology consultant. Waite attended Rice University from 2004-2009, where she played soccer and ran cross country and track.

Waite left Rice as a school record holder, a two-time All-American, an Academic All-American, and a top 10 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. After her career at Rice, she pursued her PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Houston which she completed in 2012.

A few months after earning her PhD in 2012, she competed in the 2012 Olympic Trials, finishing fourth and narrowly missing a spot on Great Britain’s Olympic Team. In 2016, she achieved her dream of becoming an Olympian and represented Great Britain in the 3000m steeplechase at the Rio Olympics. Lennie is currently preparing for her third Commonwealth Games for Scotland and raced in the 3000m steeplechase in the Gold Coast, Australia on April 11th.

Lennie is also a Certified Mental Performance Coach (CMPC) and an active member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. She is passionate about developing athletes to their fullest potential.

 

In this interview, Lennie and Cindra talk about:

  • The best mindset for her to race well at an elite level
  • What the world’s best do differently
  • A signature technique she uses with the athletes she works with
  • Her experience at the Olympic Games
  • How to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be

 

Contact Lennie on Twitter @Lenniew8 and Cindra on Twitter at @Mentally_Strong.

 

 

“The world’s best have similar distractions to us, but over the long run they are more invested over 4-10 years.”@Lenniew8
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“The way the best love the sport sets them apart. Their purpose is bigger than what they are doing. The can pull from that why over time.”@Lenniew8
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“Everyone has hiccups but learn to be invested in your goal. Have the ability to look forward at the long term.”@Lenniew8
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“It’s not always natural and you’re going to have to work on it but learn to give yourself more love and acceptance. Try not to beat yourself up so much.”@Lenniew8
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“What actions are you taking to get where you want to be? If you want something, find a way to do it.”@Lenniew8
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