Episode 31·September 9, 2025

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

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.

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

The Journey of an Olympian: Alexi Shostak's Path to Paris 2024, on The Ascension Podcast

Chapters 14

Show notes.

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.

Meet the guest · Soul Fam

Aliaksei Shostak

Two-Time Olympic Trampolinist · Team USA · Trampoline Gymnastics

Born in Minsk, Belarus and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana from the age of six, Alexi Shostak is a two-time US Olympic trampolinist who competed at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Raised inside a family gymnastics legacy, he pairs world-class athletic discipline with meditation, breathwork, and a study of flow state as hyper-presence.

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