Chelsea Mills decided to take up tournament water skiing in her 20’s, most people would have said she was a decade too late. She is now ranked number 6th in the world and still improving. She is also a high level tennis coach. Her window into the world of elite sports has given her some powerful insights into the difference mindset can make.
Mindset Coach at Winning Mindset- the leading Sports Specific Mindset Training in the Country
Former Division 1 Tennis Player at Bucknell University
Former Collegiate Tennis Coach at Tufts University and UNC Charlotte
USPTA Elite Professional
USTA National Campus Coach
No.6th in the World in Elite Standings for Slalom Water skiing and multi time National Champion
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Chelsea Mills an exceptionally talented, Water Ski Champion, Mindset Coach here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, skin care, hair care and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Wellesley, Massachusetts and now live in Orlando, Florida. You studied at Wellesley High School. Later you decided to take up tournament water skiing in your 20’s, which is considered quite late, but you rose to Open Women Slalom world sixth ranked athlete in water skiing. This propelled your career as a Water-skier to the height where you have been at the top of the world. Tell us more about this professional journey of yours in the field of waterskiing that you have achieved by your hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Chelsea Mills:
For some reason in my crazy mind, I always knew I’d be a professional water skier. Don’t ask me how I knew this, it was a premonition of sorts. I honestly stumbled upon competition waterskiing. After 4 years of college tennis, it was time for a change. I bought a ski on overtons.com without a lake, a boat, or anyone to ski with. Searching online I found a group of guys who wanted a female to ski with (surprise surprise!). I reached out and they happened to be course skiers.
When I showed up and saw all the buoys I was like “can we drive away from them so that I don’t’ hit them!?” The answer was no that the lake was too short and that was the longest path. Sure enough I kept hitting the buoys and this turned into me getting so annoyed that I started trying the course. One thing led to another and I met a lot of the right people in the sport. Thankfully I was taught solid fundamentals. I’m a visual learner, so I took (and still do) an insane amount of video. I could see right away what I was doing wrong. Early days in my skiing I was influenced by world renowned coaches such as Jack Travers, Andy Mapple, and Chet Raley.
In my first 3 years of skiing I went out the front nearly every set and for sure every tournament set. I won Nationals in my age division in my 3rd year of skiing. By the end of my 3rd year I ran my first 38 (11m). I was excelling quickly and achieved an open rating.
While my practice scores were good here and there, I had a hard time being consistent because I had little understanding of skiing and tournaments were cut throat in a way I had never experienced before. I played Division 1 tennis in college, and while that was insanely competitive, there was nothing to prepare me for the ruthlessness of tournament waterskiing. No warm up? What?? No second chance? I’m confused. That ability has taken a while, I’d say right up until this year.
Namita Nayyar:
One of the highlights of your career is your winning the women’s slalom title at the 2021 San Gervasio Pro-Am at San Gervasio, Italy. Tell us more about this exceptional achievement?
Chelsea Mills:
For sure this was the highlight of my ski career. I really feel that things changed for me this year. I moved to Florida, started skiing with Kris and Jen Lapoint. I told Jen I wanted her to work on my mind, and make me tough on the water. Kris became my technique and coach. Kris is also the best in the business regarding ski setup. Having these 2 halls of famers/ world record holders in my corner, my skiing took off.
In Italy I was on top of my game. I was skiing better than I ever had before in my life before I left. I had never traveled abroad so I really looked at it like “I’m going to see Italy, and while I’m there, I’ll ski this tournament. I think this relaxed mindset helped me at this event. I was able to secure the top seed in the prelims, and I knew this was critical to the head to head. The stars aligned that day and I am thankful I came out with my first pro victory.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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