More Than a Swimmer: An Interview with LEAD Summit Alum Olivia Bachman
Since 2017, we have met hundreds of incredible young women at our LEAD Summits who inspire us to be better leaders every day. One of our alumni Olivia Bachman was recently accepted into her school’s National Honor Society after writing her personal essay on leadership and her experience at the Lead Summit.
The Lead Team’s Keely caught up with Olivia, a junior at Hudson High School in Lufkin, Texas, for an interview about all things leadership - from Olivia’s favorite Lead Summit advice to her role models in sport and life.
KH: How did Lead Sports Co. influence your application to the National Honor Society?
“When I was 12, my best friend’s mom had passed away suddenly from a car accident. She was such a leader of our swim program and it affected everyone. That is when I realized that if I can come here and be positive and make everyone feel good, that is how I am going to lead my teammates. That’s when I realized how important leadership was and how everyone’s leadership style is different.”
OB: For my personal essay, I had to write about one of the four NHS pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, or character. I chose leadership after the experiences I’ve had as a swimmer, including the LEAD Summit. Leadership is an innate quality that is improved through observation and experience. My leadership skills are a reflection of the people I surround myself with and the people I aspire to be. I am proud of my leadership qualities and my ability to uplift and inspire my peers and teammates to work hard and be the best they can be.
I remember when I was 12 years old and my best friend’s mother suddenly passed away who was heavily involved with our local swim team. It was the most eye-opening and “A-Ha” experience because I innately knew it was time to step up and be a great friend and leader. We rallied, worked through the hard times, supported each other, and most of all learned about the precious nature of life and to never take it for granted. In the years following, I have tried to be a significant support system for my friend and her family.
Through hardship, I learned how important it is to go out of your way to step up to lead and guide others. To lead is to influence others and to have a positive impact on someone’s life. It’s about stepping up and showing up when no one is watching. This is why I think the LEAD Summit is so important for young girls to go to so they can be inspired by some of the greatest leaders in our sport.
KH: What’s been your biggest takeaway from the LEAD Summit that guides you in school, practice, and life?
“My biggest takeaway is that there are so many types of leaders. I think we all at times think, ‘OK, that girl is the loudest and most outgoing girl in the room so she’s going to be the person to lead the group.’ But I think you can lead by example, and your spirit can lead. You can be quiet, but your character is how you lead and how you approach every day.”
OB: I learned that there are so many different types of leaders and that each individual has their own way of positively impacting other people. I loved hearing each speaker talk about their athletic career and how they have had to overcome challenges to achieve their goals and chase their dreams.
I remember Elizabeth Beisel talking about how professional athletes are normal human beings who have accomplished spectacular things. I realized during the keynotes that Olympians are REAL people with REAL feelings. You’re being given advice from people you’ve looked up to your whole life and have achieved what you want to achieve. It helps put everything in perspective and makes you feel more connected to them on a personal level. I was so moved by McKenzie Coan’s story and realized that I can do anything I put my mind to in and out of the pool.
KH: What is your favorite piece of advice from the LEAD Summit? Why is it so important to you?
“I think throughout the summit there are little tidbits of information and truths that you already know deep down but almost don’t want to acknowledge because you’ve heard it so many times before from your teammates or coaches. But when you hear it from somebody who has achieved what you want to achieve, you start to believe it and take it to heart.”
OB: One of my favorite pieces of advice from Missy Franklin was that “The only expectations you should ever pay attention to are your own.” I think we all feel that there’s an external pressure put on us by our parents, our peers, and our coaches, and it’s important to remember that our own goals and opinions of ourselves are the only ones we should ever live up to. I really resonated with Elizabeth too when she mentioned how you can’t become too fixated on a goal or else you’ll lose sight of the fun parts of the sport.
If I’ve learned anything from these amazing athletes is that you can’t take swimming too seriously. During the summit, we were told that swimming isn’t everything and that couldn’t be more applicable today. We’ve seen during 2020 that there are so many things that we take for granted. At this stage, we’re all so passionate about the sport and it’s important to give ourselves credit for how far we’ve come as female athletes.
KH: How have you implemented lessons from the LEAD Summit into your daily life? What inspires you the most to be a better female athlete?
“I’m definitely more aware of how my attitude and how my character can affect my teammates every day. If I’m cranky or in a bad mood, that’s going to rub off on them and make them have a bad practice. Why would I not want to approach in a healthy, positive way so they can benefit from the training and have a great performance?”
OB: I have been more aware of my attitude and character and how they can affect your teammates at practice. I realized that you can only control yourself and your ability to help others. I remember Missy talking about how what we go through in life is to help other people down the line. She mentioned that you need to approach everything with a smile and a positive attitude.
I have aspired to be more of a leader to the younger swimmers and feel it is my responsibility to pass on my experiences and knowledge to those who have just started their high school journey in swimming. I learned that every female athlete goes through the same struggles and remember how I felt as a freshman wanting to follow in the older girls’ footsteps.
It’s important for me to be a role model and pave the way for my teammates. Today, any time I have a hard practice, I think about Maya DiRado’s keynote and how she mentioned that it’s a privilege to go to practice and compete.
I know my younger teammates look up to me and analyze how I approach a bad race or react after a good race. I want to set a good example for my teammates by having a positive attitude because, at the end of the day, you influence more people than you think.
KH: How has Lead Sports Co. changed your outlook on being a female athlete and student?
OB: Through the Summit, I learned that the hard work you put in will eventually pay off. It might not be right away but if you work hard, stay positive, and develop good relationships with others, you’ll be able to achieve your goals. The Summit put me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to connect and develop relationships with other girls and athletes. After attending, I surrounded myself with more positive people who inspired me and pushed me to be the best person and athlete I can be.
KH: What does Lead Sports Co. mean to you?
OB: I think Lead created an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience for girls who are dedicated to sports and want to learn how to take control of the game and play by their own rules. Kara had the most groundbreaking idea to cultivate a positive experience for everyone who attended and made everyone walk away feeling amazing and ready to take on the world. Lead changes every girl who goes to the summit, tunes into the academy, and consumes their content. Lead Sports Co. leads by example and inspires young women to be confident and use their voice in their sports community.
KH: What does a strong female athlete look like to you and who are your role models?
OB: I think a strong female athlete is resilient, determined, kind, and always puts their best foot forward. They are motivated to make a positive impact on so many people and won’t stop making strides for young girls in sport.
My female role models are Serena Williams, my mom, Lindsey Vonn, Alicia Keys, Kara Lynn Joyce, and Missy Franklin. I love looking up to other women outside of swimming because it allows me to admire the hard work and dedication they put into being the best of their respective sports. They push the limits on what it means to be a strong woman and athlete and continue to exceed people’s expectations in and out of competition.
KH: What advice do you have for a girl that is attending her first LEAD Summit?
OB: I would advise girls to go into the summit as open-minded as possible. Although the whole weekend can be a bit overwhelming at first, it’s important for them to embrace every aspect of it, every activity, and every person they come in contact with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because these women are here to help you and guide you with any and all aspects of your life.
I am so grateful for the experiences I had with Lead Sports Co. and want to thank Kara and all the people who work closely with Lead to create this incredible experience. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them!