Emma Sheardown - Disability Inclusion Speaker and Trainer’s Post

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

The 2024 Paris Olympics/Paralympics captured our imagination … and Australia's highlights were nothing short of inspiring: • Jess Fox cementing her legacy as the most successful paddler in kayaking/canoeing history, bringing home two Gold medals • Alexa Leary’s stunning performance to win the Women's 100m freestyle S9 in world record time • Caitlin Parker making history as the first Australian woman to win an Olympic boxing medal in the W75kg category • Lauren Parker achieving a remarkable feat as Australia's first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years, securing Gold in the Paratriathlon and Women's road race H14 and Silver in the H13 individual time trial ... and there are many, many more examples on the highlights reel. … and ‘Yes’ - the medals are cause for celebration, but the real magic lies in how sport inspires; creates community, a sense of belonging, resilience, self-confidence; and forges friendships and cherished memories. So, it’s no surprise that every Olympic/Paralympic Games sparks a surge of interest in sports participation. But the real challenge for Australia’s 400+ participation sports - especially those outside the mainstream like paddling, rock climbing, lacrosse (set to debut in the 2028 LA Games) - is how to maintain and capitalize on this momentum. Well, it starts with getting noticed … and how do you do that … talk to a good marketer! #sportsmarketing #branding #brandbuilding

Triathlon at the Paris Olympic Games by the numbers 📊 From record-breaking splits to hidden stats, the Paris Olympic triathlon was defined by unforgettable numbers. Read more 👇 #Paris2024 #OlympicTRI #Triathlon

NEWS: How the Paris Olympic Triathlon New Flag races look with one month to go 🗓️ With just one month left in the Olympic qualification window, the world's top athletes brace for the final push. Read more 👇 #OlympicTRI #RoadToParis2024 #Paris2024 #Triathlon

India’s remarkable performance at the Paris Paralympics has ignited a new sense of pride and inspiration across the nation, as our para-athletes have set a shining example of resilience, determination, and excellence. With a record-breaking haul of 29 medals— 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze—our champions have not only surpassed India’s previous best at Tokyo 2020 but also brought us into the top 20 of the global medal standings, proving that India is on the rise in the Paralympic arena. The 2024 games witnessed India sending its largest contingent yet, with 84 para-athletes competing across 12 disciplines, showcasing the incredible spirit and diversity of talent our nation holds. Debut appearances in para cycling, para rowing, and blind judo reflect our growing commitment to expanding India’s Paralympic presence and supporting every athlete’s dream to represent the tricolor on the world stage. Our athletes particularly dominated the track and field events, clinching 17 of the 29 medals—a true testament to the hard work and perseverance that drives our para-sports community. Though China continues to lead the medal table, India’s impressive rise is a story of heart, grit, and unrelenting dedication. This historic achievement doesn’t just elevate India’s global standing—it fills every Indian heart with pride. Our para-athletes have shown us that the impossible is achievable with the right support and belief. They have paved the way for future generations, reminding us all that, as a nation, we can overcome any challenge and reach new heights. Their success is not just theirs alone—it belongs to every Indian, lighting a path for even greater triumphs in the future. #IndiaAtParalympics #ParisParalympics2024 #ProudToBeIndian #ParaChampions #InspirationNation #ParaAthletes #MedalTally #TrackAndFieldStars #IndiaRising #UnstoppableSpirit #BreakingBarriers #SportsForAll #InclusiveIndia #BeyondLimits #RoadToGlory #supplychaintitans

🌟 Paris 2024 Paralympics Update: Triathlon's New Competitive Edge! 🌟 As the Paris 2024 Paralympics draw near, there's a palpable excitement within the triathlon community, especially with the groundbreaking change this year— the merging of the women's PTS3 and PTS4 categories. This strategic shift is set to elevate the competition, creating a more dynamic and intense race environment. 🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️ From my own experience watching the paratriathlon events, I can attest to the sheer determination and resilience these incredible athletes exhibit. The merging of these categories undoubtedly raises the stakes, bringing a new layer of excitement to the spectators and a tougher challenge to the athletes. This significant change could redefine strategies and rivalries, pushing the athletes to new heights. What are your predictions for this fierce combined category? Will we see new champions emerge, or will seasoned athletes like Elmlinger continue to dominate? Excited to hear your thoughts and predictions! 📣 Let's rally behind our incredible athletes and show our support as they prepare for this epic challenge! Share your support stories or your favorite Paralympic moment! #Paris2024 #Paralympics #Triathlon #InclusiveSport #AthleteLife #Resilience Discover more tips, insights, and resources by visiting our site at https://lnkd.in/g9cE6NNY

The Olympic Games just concluded yesterday, and I can't help but recall Italy's first gold medal, with Nicolò Martinenghi defeating the favorite, British legend Adam Peaty, in the 100 meters breaststroke. Then came the turn of Italy's favorite racewalker, Antonella Palmisano, who had to drop out of the 20km race, won by China’s Jiayu Yang. Both Peaty and Palmisano later revealed that their performances were hampered by lingering effects of COVID-19. Many other athletes also faced challenges that hindered their performances, preventing them from achieving their medal goals. The last to face such difficulties was Italy’s high jumper, Gianmarco Tamberi. What did the long Tamberi saga remind me of, much more clearly than usual? That when you're unwell, your performance drops significantly, not only compared to high expectations but also compared to what would normally be a mere formality. In Tamberi's case, it meant a 15 cm drop in a month (17 cm less than his personal best). He cleared 2.22 meters by the skin of his teeth on his third attempt... a far cry from the 2.37 meters he effortlessly jumped just days before. His teammate, Sottile, who placed fourth in Paris with 2.34 meters, only managed 2.22 meters at the European Championships in Rome, the same height that showman Tamberi reached in Paris. When you're in good shape, you achieve incredible things, surpassing your own limits. But when you're unwell, you don't. When you're unwell, even the simplest tasks that were easy the day before become difficult. Sport always offers many lessons; some, however, are hard to emphasize, perhaps because they don't align with a world that always has to keep moving, where we're constantly expected to perform competitively, regardless of our physical and mental condition. This is why I like to remember that when we're unwell, our performance drops dramatically, and not just in sports. When we're unwell, even the simplest task, something we've always done without error until yesterday, becomes a wall, a complexity where we risk making mistakes, a lot of mistakes, compared to our usual standards, and without expecting it or others expecting it. The Tamberi saga, I believe, has something important to teach us; not the lesson most people highlight, the one that fits into the hero myth, where the hero keeps trying despite everything (and in these Olympics, we’ve seen many examples of this), but a more valuable lesson, the one I’ve tried to explain above. #performance #kindinnovation

"Do Simple Well"

🇺🇸 Fail Like an Olympian: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks 🇺🇸 With the Olympics in full swing, there’s no better time to learn from the world’s greatest athletes about turning setbacks into comebacks! Everyone faces challenges and failures, but it’s how you respond to them that makes the difference. In this video, we dive into practical tips on building resilience, embracing your mistakes, and turning failures into opportunities for growth, just like the Olympians do. Whether it’s school, sports, or personal goals, discover how to keep moving forward with a champion’s mindset. Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback! 💪 Here are the top 5 USA Olympians who bounced back from failure: 1. Michael Phelps - After struggling with personal issues and a disappointing performance at the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps made an incredible comeback at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning five gold medals and one silver. 2. Simone Biles - After facing mental health challenges and unexpected withdrawals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles made an inspiring comeback and won gold today, showcasing her resilience and determination. 3. Kerri Strug - After injuring her ankle during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Strug completed her final vault to help the USA women’s gymnastics team win its first-ever team gold medal. 4. Dan Jansen - Overcoming multiple personal and professional setbacks, including falls in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, Jansen finally won gold in speed skating at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. 5. Lindsey Vonn - After severe injuries that kept her from competing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Vonn made a remarkable comeback to win a bronze medal in alpine skiing at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. #Resilience #Olympics #TeenLife #GrowthMindset Speak4MC