In this episode of PEP Talks with Coach Eric, host Eric dives into an inspiring conversation with two-time Olympian and world champion backstroker Josh Watson. Josh shares his journey from competitive swimming to coaching and mentoring young athletes, emphasizing the power of mindset, goal-setting, and neuroscience in achieving peak performance.
The discussion explores the role of lived experiences in personal growth, with reflections on resilience, faith, and the lessons learned through struggle. Josh speaks about his transition into coaching and how his approach goes beyond physical training—helping young athletes tap into their natural intelligence, overcome fear, and develop self-belief.
He also touches on the power of visualization and quantum physics in coaching, explaining how techniques like guided mental imagery can transform performance in the pool and beyond. His unique coaching philosophy is rooted in unlocking hidden potential, and he shares compelling stories that illustrate just how impactful mentorship and encouragement can be.
This episode is packed with wisdom on perseverance, self-awareness, and the unseen connections between sports, life, and personal fulfillment—making it a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone striving for greatness.
About the Guest: Josh Watson
Josh Watson is a two-time Olympian and Sydney 2000 Silver Medalist in swimming. In 1999, he made history as Australia’s first male backstroke World Champion, setting multiple Commonwealth and national records.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Josh turned his focus to high-performance coaching, neuroscience, and goal-setting, developing innovative frameworks to help athletes and professionals unlock their full potential. He currently runs Atomic Athletes, a platform dedicated to transforming mindset and performance through elite coaching.
Beyond his professional work, Josh is a dedicated husband to Tess and father to two children, Everlie and Raif. His journey of faith has deeply influenced his coaching philosophy, allowing him to guide others with wisdom gained from his own life challenges.
📩 Connect with Josh Watson:🌐 www.atomicathletes.org📷 Instagram: @joshuajwatson📘 Facebook: Josh Watson📧 Email: josh@atomicathletes.org
