The Underdog Advantage: Leveraging Low Expectations to Propel Success with Kelsey Erickson Director of USA Cycling - Athlete Health

EP:102

Kelsey Erickson, Senior Director of Athlete Health, Engagement, and Experience at USA Cycling.

From growing up as an anxious teenager who couldn’t spend a night away from home, to moving abroad, earning a PhD, and leading athlete welfare in a male-dominated sport — Kelsey’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and refusing to be boxed in.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Why she never had a “five-year plan” and how that opened unexpected doors
• What sport taught her about resilience, hard work, and redefining success
• How she turned OCD and early struggles into empathy and strength
• Navigating male-dominated environments and why being “the only woman in the room” can be an asset
• The importance of honesty, curiosity, and showing up — even when you don’t have it all figured out

Kelsey’s story is proof that leaning into opportunities, embracing failure, and staying curious can lead to an extraordinary and impactful life.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need a fixed plan to build a meaningful career — curiosity and saying “yes” can be enough.
• Success isn’t black and white. Redefine it based on your values, effort, and relationships.
• Vulnerability and empathy aren’t weaknesses — they’re strengths that create trust and leadership.
• Women in male-dominated industries don’t need to shrink; their perspective is their power.
• True confidence comes from being comfortable with failing, laughing at yourself, and showing up anyway.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Michelle introduces Kelsey and the meaning of She Who Dares Wins
• 0:29 – Kelsey on forging her own path without a plan
• 3:00 – From anxious teen to athlete: first steps out of her comfort zone
• 6:00 – Moving abroad, studying, and saying “yes” to new opportunities
• 9:00 – The underdog mindset and redefining success
• 13:00 – Current role at USA Cycling and tackling sensitive issues in sport
• 19:20 – Being the only woman in the room: challenges and opportunities
• 25:30 – Curiosity as the driving force in career and life decisions
• 27:00 – What she’d tell her 14-year-old self about trust and showing up
• 31:00 – A defining “failure” that shaped her career in research
• 36:00 – The unseen side of career struggles and hundreds of job rejections
• 39:00 – Why confidence comes from being okay with mistakes and imperfection
• 43:00 – Vulnerability, crying in a van, and why honesty matters at work
• 45:20 – Michelle gifts Kelsey the She Who Dares Wins hoodie

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