Several years ago, I interviewed Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:

Adam: What is something that would surprise people about the life of an Olympic athlete?

Justin: Olympians are usually known for being dedicated disciplined people waiting for their moment. People sometimes forget that we still know how to have fun traveling the world whenever we want, not just every four years.

Adam: What are your hobbies and how have they shaped you?

Justin: I love creating art. Art slows me down mentally to think things through compared to when I’m running.

Adam: Having experienced both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, what advice do you have on how to manage the ups and the downs?

Justin: No matter what, you must always believe in yourself but at the same time always be your biggest critic. I don’t emotionally invest into losses. I use those as lessons to make me better.

Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned from your athletic career and all that has come with it?

Justin: As a pro athlete I’ve learned that sports, on a professional level, is a business. You must conduct yourself as a businessman or businesswoman, not just as an athlete.

Adam: Who did you enjoy competing against the most and the least and why?

Justin: Usain Bolt for both. It’s a rare opportunity that someone shows you your strengths and your flaws.

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?

Justin: A leader is someone who understands the definition of sacrifice. Meaning things that you desire to do compared to things that you need to do. Time that you spend socializing compared to time you spend preparing.  An effective leader understands time management because in track and field, or any sport, time is everything.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to leaders?

Justin: Always stay mentally and emotionally balanced. Strive to be the good guy but know that it’s necessary to be the bad guy sometimes. Always be an inspiration for those who look toward you.

Adam: How can anyone become their best self?

Justin: It starts with confidence. Confidence in who you are. Surround yourself with people who see your full potential and always do more than what’s expected.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Justin: That opportunity and success only come to those who prepare for it.

Adam: How can anyone pay it forward?

Justin: Encouragement and compliments go a long way.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Justin: “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” One of my favorite quotes.

Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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