The Ascension Podcast

Episode 31 · September 9, 2025

The Journey of an Olympian: Alexi Shostak's Path to Paris 2024

with Alexi Shostak

Tyzen sits with Olympic trampolinist Alexi Shostak, who traces his path from Belarus to two Olympic Games. They cover his family's gymnastics legacy, meditation and flow state, the locked-down Tokyo experience, bodily sovereignty, and the joy of competing at Paris 2024.

Chapters

Stress is a story told about a potential negative future. There is no stress in presence, and flow state is hyper-presence that dissolves the sense of time.
Tyzen

Show Notes

  • Roots in Belarus and immigrating to the US at age six, growing up inside a family Olympic legacy and choosing competitive trampoline.
  • Discovering meditation, breathwork, and nervous-system regulation, and entering the deepest flow state of his career at World Championships.
  • The Tokyo Olympics under COVID restrictions: empty stands, the quarantine village, and a conversation on consent and bodily sovereignty.
  • Paris 2024 as the dream fulfilled, becoming the first US male trampolinist to compete at two Olympic Games.

Key Takeaways

  • Slowing down paradoxically increases efficiency and effectiveness. Rest and reset prevent burnout.
  • Shift from outcome to process. Be inspired by the journey rather than excited for the event, and stay present rather than performing enthusiasm.
  • There is no stress in presence. Flow state is hyper-presence that dissolves the sense of time.

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