Stepping Into Olympic Pressure for the 1st Time

Hi everyone — welcome to the first episode of The New Peak Podcast! I’m Nicola McCrabbe, and my mission is to help leaders, high-performers, and anyone who wants to sustain pressure under pressure without burning out.

In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Ribi, a bobsleigh athlete preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Recorded just before she hit the track, Bianca shares her incredible journey — from playing soccer, to firefighting, to Olympic bobsleigh — and how she stays resilient, motivated, and focused under enormous pressure.

Together, we explore:

• What it really takes to pivot into a completely new sport
• Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and setbacks
• How to maintain focus, motivation, and trust with your team
• Routines and strategies for peak performance without burning out

Whether you’re a high-performer, a leader, or just someone who wants to show up fully in life, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, preparation, and mental strength.

🎧 **Episode Timestamps**  

0:45 – First Olympics: how it feels right now  
1:30 – From soccer & firefighting to bobsleigh  
3:00 – Discovering bobsleigh and stepping into elite sport  
6:00 – Performing under pressure (firefighting mindset)  
7:35 – The hardest part of transitioning sports  
9:28 – Self-doubt, fear, and setbacks  
10:45 – Learning how to work with fear  
11:55 – Staying motivated when progress is slow  
13:30 – When the Olympic dream felt out of reach  
16:15 – Pushing hard without burning out  
17:58 – Preparing with less than a month to go  
20:22 – Trust, teamwork, and teammates  
21:33 – Standing at the start line: emotions  
23:23 – What this journey reveals about resilience  
25:58 – Crossing the finish line

📌 Connect & Subscribe

• Subscribe to The New Peak Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app
• Follow me for tips on resilience, leadership, and thriving under pressure: [Nicolamccrabbe.com / https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamccrabbe/]
• Share this episode with a friend who wants to show up fully and sustainably in life