Chasing Dreams: From Pan American Glory to Olympic Ambitions – Jessica Gaudreault on Resilience, Pressure & Performance

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Jessica Gaudreault, goalkeeper of the Canadian women’s national team, about her journey through the Pan American Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games in Paris — and her ongoing dream of competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Jessica shares unforgettable memories from the Pan American Games in Toronto, where she experienced the feeling of a mini-Olympics on home soil with her family in the stands. She explains why multi-sport events are so special for athletes and how demanding it is to perform at the highest level in five games in five days, sometimes early in the morning before most people even have their first coffee.

We compare the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games, and Jessica gives powerful insight into her experience at the Paris Olympics, including the emotional impact of playing in front of thousands of spectators, living in the Olympic Village and competing under the highest imaginable pressure.

A central part of the conversation is about career setbacks and resilience. Jessica speaks openly about the disappointment of not making the Tokyo Olympic roster, how that moment became a turning point in her career, and why mental strength, patience and belief in the process helped her reach a new performance level afterward.

She also shares valuable advice for young female athletes:

– Why resilience is essential
– How to deal with doubters and criticism
– Why setbacks can become your biggest breakthroughs
– How to take control of your personal narrative

We also talk about:
– Her brief experience as a college coach at the University of Michigan
– The reality of full-time coaching in the NCAA
– Why she currently prefers specialized goalkeeper coaching
– The responsibility coaches carry beyond the pool
– Future tournaments with Team Canada and international club teams

Topics of this episode:
– Pan American Games vs. Olympic Games
– Paris Olympics experience
– Goalkeeper mindset at elite level
– Mental resilience after setbacks
– Not making the Tokyo Olympic team
– Advice for young female athletes
– Coaching vs. playing careers
– NCAA water polo coaching
– Olympic dreams & LA 2028
– Life inside national team programs

This episode is a must-listen for players, young athletes, parents and coaches worldwide who want to understand how mental resilience, setbacks and belief shape an elite sports career.