Unlocking the secrets of success from a pole vaulter's journey
Three lessons from a record-breaker
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
This proverb has been used many times to describe Armand Duplantis’s rise through the pole vaulting ranks. The 24-year-old first took up pole vaulting at the age of three and has since gone on to break record after record in the sport.
Most recently, “Mondo” (as he is commonly known) not only won the gold in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but he also set the world record at 6.25 meters (20 ft 6"). The previous record was at 6.24 meters and, guess who held it? Mondo.
He has broken the record a total of nine times, starting from the 6.16 m record set by Renaud Lavillenie in 2014. With this track record, at this young age, Mondo has already cemented himself as one of the best pole vaulters to ever live (if not the all-time best).
After making history in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, I was absolutely intrigued by his journey. I found a documentary released in 2022 titled “Born to Fly” by director Brennan Robideaux (which I highly recommend for those interested). It is an intimate recollection of Mondo’s upbringing, the start of his career and his relationship with his parents.
It provides an unparalleled level of access and shows the highs and lows of Mondo’s career in detail. Although there were many lessons highlighted in the film, here are the three main takeaways that I think are worth highlighting:
1. Success comes at the cost of failure
Mondo was about to compete in the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. He was just 17-years-old and had recently broken the 5.90 meter barrier (an elite-level result). This competition was one of the first in which he was representing Sweden (he holds dual American-Swedish citizenship) and he was ready to shine on the global stage.
His idol-turned-rival, Renaud Lavillenie, the French world record holder, was competing against him. He truly felt that he was in a position to kickstart his international career.
The competition started out at 5.50 meters, a tough but relatively easy feat for these experienced athletes. Mondo cleared it in his first try. The next hurdle was 5.65 meters. A marked increase in difficulty, but still relatively doable for Mondo. Shockingly, he failed his first attempt.
He stepped back, focused and tried again. No dice. How could he fail at something he had done multiple times in the past? Especially in such a big stage! The pressure was on. His third and final try… failed as well. Mondo was eliminated and finished ninth overall.
Although the frustration and disappointment he felt were immense, Mondo went back to the drawing board and refocused his energy over the next year. Training and getting stronger, he knew that failure was a part of success.
What recent “failures” in your life can you identify as stepping stones towards meeting your goals?
2. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet
A year later, in the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin, Mondo had a new mindset. He had “gone back to the basics” and was ready to face the international stage again. Many familiar faces were competing against him, including Lavillenie. This time was different however. Mondo came back with a vengeance.
He had reached the 5.90 meter mark (his previous personal best) with only one miss. Four other competitors remained, including Lavillenie. Only three of them cleared the 5.95 meter mark. The competition was heating up. The next obstacle: breaking the 6 meter barrier.
Since Sergey Bubka, a Russian pole vault champion and world record holder, first broke the barrier in 1985, only 27 other athletes have cleared it. It was truly the ultimate test of a pole vaulter’s ability, and something Mondo had yet to do.
However, he didn’t let the pressure get to him. He trusted in his many hours of training and conditioning to get the job done. It was practically muscle memory at this point. Mondo flew so high that he cleared the 6 meters on his first attempt, becoming the youngest pole vaulter to reach this feat in history.
He thought he had the competition in the bag. Very rarely could multiple athletes cross the 6 meter mark in one competition. Lavillenie tried but failed. Only one other competitor remained: Timur Morgunov. Opting to go straight from 5.90 to 6 meters, he was praying for a Hail Mary. And he got it.
The pressure was on. It was now up to Mondo to clear his recently set PB (personal best) if he wanted to get the gold for himself. 6.05 meters had only been cleared by five other athletes at that time. It was all odds against Mondo. And yet, he did it anyway. Morgunov couldn’t clear 6.05 meters and so Mondo got the gold and a new PB.
His hard work and training had paid off but only because he had the right opportunity in front of him. If you want to strive for success, it is not only a matter of being at the right place at the right time, but also being at the right level of preparation for when the opportunity arises.
What can you start doing in the next few days to prepare for when your opportunity presents itself?
3. Success is a collective effort
Over the years, Mondo has used various poles, trained in diverse locations, and faced numerous challenges. Yet, one thing has always remained constant: the unwavering support of his parents.
Mondo's father, Greg Duplantis, was a successful pole vaulter in the 1980s and 90s, sparking Mondo's early interest in the sport and coaching him throughout much of his life. His mother, Helena, a former heptathlete and track athlete, played a crucial role in his physical conditioning and strength training.
Although they were very tough during training sometimes, Mondo himself is grateful for his parents’ presence in his life. At the end of his documentary “Born to Fly” he said the following words:
It is clear that Mondo credits a large part of his success to his parents’ efforts, coaching and advice throughout the years.
Who in your life genuinely supports you and wants to see you succeed? Have you expressed your gratitude for having them in your life?
Great message on recognizing the people that have been there. And also what leads up to success. Thanks. Great article
Great great article. I cried again. Thank you for reminding us to always be greatful to the People in our lives. God bless!!!!