Everytime there is a Paralympic year it is a reminder of how the Paralympics not only changed my life, but made my life.
But it is worth noting I almost didn’t make it to the games because of a mistake and crippling self doubt… when I was about 13 I competed in my first big competition, the NSW State Championships.
My first race at these championships was the 50m breaststroke- a stroke I didn’t feel 100% comfortable swimming, but I was doing it anyway. I was so nervous walking into pool deck, I knew I wanted to be there, but didn’t believe I belonged.
My nerves got the better of me. The gun went off and I dove into the pool and I started swimming freestyle/front crawl… not the breaststroke I was supposed to be swimming!
I realised my mistake and switched to breaststroke, but the mistake was done… I was disqualified immediately.
I remember getting out of the pool distraught, embarrassed and determined to quit swimming.
I felt this one mistake was an indication of failure.
After a talk with my parents, where they gave me permission to give up if I wanted too, I realised the Paralympic dream I had was bigger than any mistake I could ever make. I want a failure because I had stuffed up.
I kept swimming.
I competed at two Paralympic Games, won a silver and two bronze medals, broke world records, held countless national records and proved to myself my ability, my skill, my goals.
I haven’t stopped making mistakes in life. I still get upset when I make mistakes. But what that race, that moment in time taught me was my mistakes didn’t have to define me. In fact, mistakes can be great learning moments… I mean, I never swam breaststroke again after that disastrous race! But that meant I could focus on my real strengths, freestyle and butterfly.
I’m so grateful for the Paralympics, the successes, the mistakes. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today— ABC Sport reporter, keynote speaker, emcee, storyteller.
[Image: a Young white teen girl stands in an Australian sports uniform on pool deck, with a medal around her neck, grinning.]
#Leadership #Resilience #WomenEmpowerment #Paralympics #Keynote #Emcee
Global Payments Partnerships at Square | 2023 ETA 40 Under 40 Honoree
1moWell done organizing Lauren Barker and Thank you to John O'Beirne for facilitating. Appreciate the partnership with Visa! Looking forward to all of the Olympic games this summer.