The Rich Roll Podcast – A World Champion Athlete & Oscar-Nominated Writer on Mindset, Performance & Persistence

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Leslie Patterson, a five-time world champion athlete and Oscar-nominated screenwriter, joins Rich Roll to discuss the connection between discipline and creativity. Patterson challenges the notion that one cannot be both an athlete and an artist at an elite level. She shares her journey of fighting for the film rights to “All Quiet on the Western Front” and writing the screenplay, which won four Oscars and seven BAFTAs. The conversation revolves around Patterson’s relentless persistence and the importance of gut health and probiotics. Listeners can also receive a 30% discount on their first order from Seed using the code “role.”

Main Takeaways

Athlete and Artist: Breaking Stereotypes

• Leslie Patterson challenges the idea that one cannot be both an athlete and an artist at an elite level.
• Discipline in sports helped Leslie’s creativity by providing structure.
• Creativity in sports helped Leslie think outside the box to achieve greatness.
• The tension between masculine and feminine, creative and athletic in Leslie’s life.
• The idea that athletes and artists are configured differently and need to choose one path is a myth.
• Creativity is a discipline that requires structure, accountability, and rigor.

The Relentless Pursuit of Success

• Leslie Patterson fought for 16 years to secure and maintain the film rights to “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
• Leslie’s experience in rugby helped her develop the mental toughness to achieve success in later life.
• Self-belief, setting audacious goals, and a never-quit drive are required for success.
• Professionals show up for their craft every day, even when they don’t feel inspired.
• Finding positivity in any situation is crucial to moving forward, even on bad days.
• Utilizing creativity and creating structure can help with progress.

Balance and Fulfillment

• Finding balance in life is important.
• Assessing priorities every day can help achieve balance.
• Pursuing passions brings joy.
• Creativity and collaboration can enhance life.
• Telling stories and creating projects with a bigger purpose is fulfilling.
• Pursuing balance may not be for everyone, and it’s important to let go of societal expectations.

Mental Training and Overcoming Setbacks

• The brain is like a muscle that needs working out and can change its wiring through neuroplasticity.
• The mental game in sports is underappreciated and less understood than physical training.
• The book, The Brave Athlete, provides tools and strategies for mental training, including identity, confidence, and body image issues.
• Effort and attitude can help you overcome setbacks and achieve success.
• Training partners and finding joy in training can lead to success in races.
• Lyme disease can be a setback for athletes, but with determination and proper treatment, it is possible to overcome it.

The Journey of Making a Film

• Leslie and her co-writer Ian Stokehl secured the exclusive right to make a modern retelling of “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
• The film’s relevance comes from its exploration of the betrayal of a youthful generation.
• Timing is crucial in the film industry, and it’s important to stay true to your intention.
• The journey to making a movie can be crazy and include meetings with eccentric producers and directors.
• The finished product exceeded the speakers’ expectations and was a beautiful and emotional experience to watch.
• The movie defies all the hardened laws of Hollywood.

Summary

Athlete and Artist: Breaking Stereotypes

Leslie Patterson challenges the notion that one cannot be both an athlete and an artist at an elite level. She shares how discipline in sports helped enhance her creativity by providing structure and how creativity in sports allowed her to think outside the box to achieve greatness. The tension between masculine and feminine, creative and athletic, is a myth, as creativity is a discipline that requires structure, accountability, and rigor.

The Relentless Pursuit of Success

Leslie Patterson’s relentless persistence is evident in her 16-year fight to secure and maintain the film rights to “All Quiet on the Western Front.” She credits her experience in rugby for developing the mental toughness required for success. Self-belief, setting audacious goals, and a never-quit drive are essential. Professionals show up for their craft every day, even when they don’t feel inspired, and finding positivity in any situation is crucial to moving forward. Utilizing creativity and creating structure can help with progress.

Balance and Fulfillment

Finding balance in life involves assessing priorities every day and pursuing passions that bring joy. Creativity and collaboration can enhance life, and telling stories and creating projects with a bigger purpose is fulfilling. It’s important to let go of societal expectations and pursue what fuels the soul.

Mental Training and Overcoming Setbacks

The brain is like a muscle that can change its wiring through neuroplasticity, and mental training in sports is often underappreciated. “The Brave Athlete” provides tools and strategies for mental training, addressing identity, confidence, and body image issues. Overcoming setbacks requires effort, attitude, training partners, and finding joy in the process. Despite setbacks like Lyme disease, determination and proper treatment can lead to overcoming obstacles.

The Journey of Making a Film

Leslie Patterson’s journey to make a film involved securing the exclusive right to make a modern retelling of “All Quiet on the Western Front.” The film’s relevance lies in its exploration of the betrayal of a youthful generation. Timing and staying true to one’s intention are crucial in the film industry. The journey to making a movie can be filled with eccentric encounters and meetings with producers and directors. Despite challenges, the finished product can exceed expectations and defy the norms of Hollywood.

Conclusion

Leslie Patterson’s story exemplifies the power of discipline, persistence, and creativity in achieving success. Whether as an athlete or an artist, breaking stereotypes and pursuing passions can lead to fulfillment. Mental training and overcoming setbacks are crucial aspects of personal growth and achievement. The journey of making a film requires resilience and staying true to one’s vision. Overall, Leslie Patterson’s experiences inspire listeners to pursue their dreams with determination and embrace the challenges along the way.