E33 | Rebuild Your Dreams: How Stef Reid's Journey Can Inspire Your Comeback

Stef Reid MBE, the celebrated British Paralympic long jumper and sprinter, is renowned for her athletic prowess and inspirational journey. Her remarkable tale of resilience and determination in the face of adversity has propelled her into a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with talks on mindset, overcoming challenges, and embracing change.

Stef's early passion for sports, particularly rugby, was evident at the age of 12. However, a boating accident at 15 led to life-changing injuries. Undeterred, Stef embraced Paralympic athletics in 2006. Soon becoming a four-time Paralympian, she has claimed three Paralympic medals, including a silver in the long jump at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Stef achieved World Champion status by securing gold in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Lyon, France. Notably, she holds five world records, with her top performance being a 5.40m jump in the T44 long jump event.

As a speaker, Stef shares her journey of overcoming a life-altering accident and rising to become one of the world's most successful Paralympic athletes. Her compelling message of self-belief and determination inspires audiences to pursue their goals despite obstacles.

We discuss:

- Childhood experiences in New Zealand and Canada

- Aspirations of becoming a global rugby sensation

- A pivotal accident that altered the course of life

- Valuable advice from Nurse Claudette

- The significance of making choices

- The inaugural experience with a running blade

- The dilemma between pursuing biochemistry and sports

- Navigating a Paralympic journey marked by triumphs and setbacks

- Coping with mental health challenges

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Life-Changing Moment in the Water

(00:03:58) Introduction to the Speaker

(00:07:59) Ambitions in Rugby and Basketball

(00:11:51) A Close Call with the Boat Propellers

(00:15:51) A Terrifying Experience

(00:19:22) Terrifying Moments and Deep Reflections

(00:23:13) A Vision of the Accident

(00:26:56) The Moment of Realizing the Severity of the Situation

(00:31:09) A Mother's Love

(00:35:28) The Catalyst Nurse

(00:39:32) Finding Power in Choice during Recovery

(00:43:19) Lessons from Experience and Overcoming Assumptions

(00:46:53) Rediscovering My Competitive Spirit

(00:50:41) Overcoming Physical Challenges in Running

(00:54:16) Invited to an International Track Meet

(00:57:57) Chasing Childhood Dreams

(01:01:54) From Failure to Personal Best

(01:06:27) The Power of Doing Your Best

(01:09:58) The Challenge of Maintaining Marriage while Pursuing Olympic Goals

(01:13:40) The Challenges of Being Married to Another Professional Athlete

(01:17:26) The Last Moment on the Track

(01:21:14) The Power of Rock Bottom

(01:24:59) Overcoming Injuries and Believing in Yourself

(01:28:54) Overcoming Fear and Injury

(01:32:41) Success on Dancing on Ice and Mental Health Crisis

(01:36:28) The Power of Asking for Help

(01:40:18) The Miraculous Story of Perseverance

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⁠⁠⁠Unity & Motion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - A London based production company specialising in commercials and branded content Email: info@weunify.co.uk This is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UNIFY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast. Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unity & Motion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits: Director: Charles Parkinson Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie Sound Recordist: Aurelija Ausembergaite Camera Operator: Stuart Aitken Editor: Catherine Singh