Thanks Coach! Alisa Camplin to Todd Ossian and Daniel Murphy

Alisa Camplin talking with her coach
Author:  Cathy Reid
Issue: Volume 28 Number 4

She became Australia’s first female aerial skier to win a Winter Olympic gold medal and is one of only two women to hold the prestigious triple crown—but Alisa Camplin rates her biggest achievement so far as winning a bronze medal at the Torino Olympics.

It was a medical miracle that Alisa was even there, having undergone a full knee reconstruction after a training accident just four months out from the Games. Making the final and winning the bronze medal was incredible.

The Australian aerialist had re-torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in October while practicing a new jump—a quadruple twisting double somersault—an injury that would have ended the career of many athletes.

But Alisa is no ordinary athlete and she also has an extraordinary support team around her.

Pivotal to her comeback are coaches Todd Ossian and Daniel Murphy, sports psychologist Barbara Meyers and, of course, the medical team.

‘They are like three sides of a triangle. Everyone plays their part and I wouldn’t be able to come back without that open, honest triangle’, Alisa says.

‘They all have so much input. It’s a team effort and we all work together.’

Todd Ossian has coached Alisa since 2001 and, along with Daniel Murphy and Barbara Meyers, has helped set Alisa on the path to incredible success which started at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The pint-sized former gymnast then went on to become the world record holder, world champion and world cup grand prix champion, to claim the prestigious Triple Crown.

Naturally driven, motivated and determined, Alisa has always insisted on being part of her own destiny and this is something her coaching team has embraced.

‘Our working relationship has really been strong because they’ve always allowed me to discuss, negotiate and plan things with them. I’ve always been free to say what I think and how I believe things should be melded together.

‘They realise I have some very valuable insights into my sport and that I know myself better than anybody.

‘The coaches have allowed me a lot of flexibility and freedom because a) they know I have my goals, b) they know I have the experience and understanding and c) I never take a shortcut.

‘They are able to trust me with that and I think that’s helped a lot, especially in the last four years because my life changed so much.

‘I’ve evolved and changed as an athlete, dealing with the different levels of competitions and the injuries. I’ve been able to rise through because they’ve been so supportive.

‘A lot of coaches don’t know how important that sense of control and freedom for an athlete is, plus how critical it is to get enough rest, and that is often something only an athlete can judge.

‘We sometimes have to consider that less is more.’

But Alisa also knows how important it is to listen. ‘I’m so open to the expertise that’s around me and I’m so lucky that I’m working with really good people who all understand how I operate.’

For Alisa everything hinges on honesty.

‘With me it’s straight to the point. I’m not into fluff—there’s not time for that. I’m very big on communication. We all know each other inside out and we don’t let egos get in the way.’

This became even more important after Alisa became the Olympic champion.

‘There were so many extra demands outside of sport. I’m a bit of a perfectionist workaholic by nature and I also have a desire to please so it is really important for me to pull back and take time out for rest and relaxation.

‘My coaches understand that and we concentrate on more quality training.’

There has also been the massive increase in pressure and expectation.

‘The media, your competitors and sometimes the whole nation looks at you in a different way. You feel like you’re being chased with a big “x” on your back.

‘You feel as Olympic champ there’s a certain credibility, reputation and standard you must uphold…so not only are your own dreams and desires important to you but you feel like there’s another level you have to maintain.’

With the support of her close-knit team she exceeded all expectations, winning the world championships, back-to-back grand prix circuits and setting a new world record.

But her ongoing quest for perfection has also led to a litany of injuries including two broken ankles, nine concussions, a broken collarbone, a broken hand, a separated shoulder, a torn knee ligament, a torn Achilles tendon and a second snapped anterior cruciate ligament.

‘I battled back from my first reconstruction to qualify for the Olympics and just when I was feeling ready to defend my title and everything was coming together after four years of distractions, I blew my knee out again.

There was plenty of support from the coaching team, but definitely no room for pity.

‘I realised I couldn’t change circumstances. I didn’t shed a tear—it would be a waste of my time. I just had to believe my experience would rise when I needed it the most.

‘For the first time in my entire sporting career I didn’t have anything to lose, even though I was the defending Olympic champion. Just to get there was a great achievement.

‘I’m so proud of myself and my coaching team and my rehab team who gave me that last chance to compete.

‘It was just caution to the wind…I just had to go for it…believe in myself…and hope my experience would rise.

She did just that during the Winter Olympics final, landing two jumps and a medal against all odds.

‘This is so much better than the first time round because I’ve gone through so much heartbreak. It feels like magic,’ she said after winning the bronze medal.

‘I’ve had an amazing ride and I’ve had some great people along on that ride with me.

‘To my coaches I want to say thanks for being patient and open minded. I hope that they’ve learnt as much from me as I’ve learnt from them. Integrity, trust and an honest belief is the crux of any good team and I’m very fortunate that I have that.’


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