Balanced Black Girl Podcast
Episode: The KEY to Turning Your Dreams Into Reality with Louise Hazel
Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In this inspiring episode of Balanced Black Girl, host Les delves into the transformative power of mindset and discipline with special guest Louise Hazel, an Olympian and entrepreneur. Entitled "The KEY to Turning Your Dreams Into Reality," this conversation explores Louise’s remarkable journey from a young athlete to a gold medal-winning Olympian, and her seamless transition into building a successful fitness empire. Packed with valuable insights, actionable advice, and motivational anecdotes, this episode serves as a beacon for anyone striving to achieve their dreams.

Louise Hazel's Journey to Becoming an Olympian

Les opens the discussion by highlighting Louise Hazel's impressive achievements and her unique expertise in helping women unlock their inner athletes. Louise recounts her athletic beginnings, vividly describing how she knew from the age of ten that she was destined for greatness.

“I was 10 years old and I knew I was an athlete. I was fast, I was boisterous... I tried rugby once, it was crazy. I played tennis, I did hockey, netball... I really excelled.”
[02:32]

Louise specialized in the heptathlon, a grueling seven-event track and field competition that includes high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 800 meters, 200 meters, and hurdles. Her dedication led her to win national championships by age fourteen and compete internationally for England and Great Britain, bringing home accolades and establishing herself as a formidable athlete.

However, her path was not without challenges. In 2008, Louise faced profound personal loss with the passing of her father, which derailed her Olympic aspirations for that year. Despite the emotional turmoil and financial struggles that ensued, Louise's resilience saw her bounce back. By securing sponsorships and self-funding her training, she not only regained her footing but also won her first major gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and eventually competed in the Olympic Games.

“I knew that part of the game of becoming an elite athlete is staying in there long enough and then like not getting injured and doing the daily training. But part of it is literally just being in it to win it.”
[24:34]

Transition into Entrepreneurship

After retiring from competitive athletics, Louise seamlessly transitioned into the world of entrepreneurship. Her initial foray into television, including appearances on shows like Ninja Warrior and MTV's The Challenge, provided her with invaluable exposure and experience. However, her true passion lay in empowering other women through fitness.

In 2019, Louise founded the Slay Athletic Club in Los Angeles, a women-focused athletic club designed to help women tap into their inner strength and athleticism. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, forcing the gym to pivot to an online model. Despite these hurdles, Louise leveraged her tenacity to maintain a supportive online community, eventually reopening the physical gym with her husband, Eric, as co-founder.

“I transitioned very smoothly over into the world of entertainment... and then I decided that I needed to dip into personal training and set myself up and, you know, and figure it out. And I started the slay gym in 2019.”
[34:29]

Mindset and Mental Toughness

A recurring theme throughout the episode is the critical role of mindset in achieving success. Louise elaborates on the distinction between exercising and training, emphasizing that athletes train with intent and purpose, consistently putting in effort to achieve specific goals.

“Exercise is moving your body. Training is being intentional with the type of movement you are doing. It has a goal.”
[06:05]

She dispels the myth that athletes give 100% effort every single day, explaining that sustainability is key. Instead, athletes maintain a high level of discipline by giving consistent effort, typically around 80%, allowing for recovery and long-term progress.

“Everybody thinks that athletes go absolutely balls to the wall, you know, 365 days a year... we show up every single day and we give it 80%, no more, no less.”
[07:13]

Louise also shares her strategy for peak performance during competitions, highlighting the importance of remaining calm, confident, and enjoying the moment. This mental state enables her to surpass her training performances when it matters most.

“When competition comes around, we'd probably get injured, we get ill... I would always produce more than my training sessions when it came to competition.”
[07:34]

Advice for Everyday People

Drawing parallels between elite athletics and everyday life, Louise offers invaluable advice on cultivating consistency and resilience. She advocates for identity-based work, encouraging individuals to see themselves as the types of people who achieve their goals. By laying claim to their aspirations, individuals can simplify their decision-making processes and stay motivated.

“You lay claim to the thing that you want. You don't wish for it, you don't hope for it. You already know that that's what you want.”
[28:31]

Louise emphasizes the power of habits aligned with one's identity. For example, a client aiming to lose weight might focus on enhancing her protein intake and improving mobility, thereby addressing areas that do not come naturally.

“Get out there, go do it. Do what you came to do.”
[53:05]

She also highlights the importance of appreciating one's privileges, such as the ability to exercise and maintain physical health, often overlooked aspects of wellness.

“There are so many people out there who don't get to do that. Why they might be six feet under, why they might be ill... If you're a person that doesn't see the privilege that it is to go to the gym, you're really kind of missing the beauty and the trick and the privilege that is before you.”
[56:58]

Future Plans and Goals

Looking ahead to 2025, Louise shares her ambitious plans to enhance the Slay app, aiming to create a more robust and functional platform tailored specifically for women’s strength training. She envisions the app as an innovative companion that supports women in their fitness journeys, whether they are new to the gym or seasoned athletes.

Additionally, Louise discusses her upcoming personal milestone of starting a family, drawing parallels between building an app and navigating motherhood. She expresses excitement about balancing entrepreneurship with family life, illustrating her unwavering commitment to growth both professionally and personally.

“The two things: Slay app and motherhood. To me, this is like I'm just having twins this year.”
[59:07]

Key Takeaways

• Mindset is Fundamental: Cultivating a strong, purpose-driven mindset is essential for achieving and sustaining success.

• Consistency Over Perfection: Regular, intentional effort trumps sporadic, intense effort, allowing for long-term progress and resilience.

• Identity-Based Habits: Viewing oneself as the type of person who achieves goals simplifies decision-making and enhances motivation.

• Appreciate Your Privileges: Recognizing and valuing the ability to pursue wellness and fitness is crucial for maintaining a positive outlook and dedication.

• Transferable Skills: The discipline, resilience, and strategic planning honed in athletics can seamlessly translate into successful entrepreneurship and other life endeavors.

Conclusion

Louise Hazel's story is a testament to the incredible things that can be achieved through unwavering dedication, a resilient mindset, and strategic planning. From overcoming personal and financial challenges to building a thriving fitness community, Louise embodies the essence of turning dreams into reality. This episode of Balanced Black Girl not only celebrates her achievements but also provides listeners with actionable insights to harness their own potential and achieve their aspirations.

For those inspired by Louise’s journey, you can connect with her through the Slay Athletic Club in Los Angeles or join the online community via the Slay app. Additionally, check out her Slay Podcast for more empowering conversations and fitness tips.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, and outros as per the podcast's non-content sections.