Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh is New Zealand’s greatest male shot putter, with a personal best of 22.90m, a national record and the fifth best throw of all time. Walsh has twice been named New Zealand Sportsman of the year and in 2018 won the Supreme Halberg award for his excellence in his sport. As a qualified builder and having recently started a business, Walshot, Tom’s journey is about hard work paying off.
Brought up on a farm in South Canterbury, winning the World Championships in Shot Put or going to the Olympics wasn’t always in the plan. Cricket and Rugby were his first loves and dreamed of being an All Black or a Blackcap, but it took failure on the world stage to make him decide that he was ‘all in’ on Athletics. Tom struggled with jealousy early on, as the spotlight was on this Youtube sensation, Jacko Gill, who was touted as being the next big thing in the Shot Put world. This envy fueled Walsh on and went on a mission to prove everyone wrong.
In the last five years, Tom has tasted victory at the Commonwealth Games, World Outdoor & Indoor Championships and three Diamond league titles. With just the Olympic Gold medal left to top off an already decorated career. It would be hard to find a more genuine bloke than Tom Walsh, a man with humility, humour and is not afraid to tell it how it is. In this Episode, Walsh shares his early battles with Jacko Gill; What Mental Skills he developed over his career; takes us through his Shot Put routine; highlights along the journey; the lowest point in his career which will surprise you; his struggles with Dyslexia growing up; how Tom gains the edge at his training; and his most nervous moment.
Chapters
o Intro/Covid 19 (3:38)
o Olympic Games being postponed (6:12)
o Battle with Jacko Gill (12:27)
o Wake up call from the Father (14:50)
o Childhood in Timaru/Playing all sports growing up (17:29)
o Why Tom chose Shot Put (20:59)
o When was the point you became a Full Time Professional Shot Putter? (24:34)
o What Mental Skills did you develop with Sports Psychologists John Quinn? (25:51)
o Tom’s Shot Put Routine (29:36)
o Have you thrown a PB in Training? (32:37)
o The key to Tom consistency as a person (34:16)
o Highlight of Tom’s career (36:14)
o How did Tom maintain his motivation after achieving one of his ultimate goals? (40:44)
o Lowest Point in Tom’s Career (44:41)
o How Tom gains the edge at training (47:45)
o What makes a good shot putter? Keys to Tom’s success(50:15)
o Advice and Favourite quotes (53:51)
o Reflecting on his up-bringing contributing to success as an Athlete (56:35)
o Struggles with Dyslexia during High School (58:05)
o Bringing the SuperShot to Christchurch (1:01:41)
o Where is Tom Walsh in 15 years time (1:03:47)
o Walshot, business venture (1:04:39)
o Halberg Awards – feeling of winning the Supreme Award (1:07:49)
o Honour of the doing the Cap Presentation for the Blackcaps (1:10:57)