I recently had the privilege of speaking to the Sports Scholars at Gordon’s School, sharing my story and, more importantly, some of the lessons I have learned about resilience, mindset and responding to setbacks. It was a fantastic opportunity to speak to a group of young people who are already committed to developing themselves through sport but what I particularly loved was seeing how much the message resonated beyond the sporting arena.
My own journey has taught me that resilience isn’t simply about what happens on the sports field. It is a skill that can shape every part of our lives.As a former international sportsman and PE teacher, I know the highs that come with sport but I also know what it feels like when life suddenly changes direction. Being diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia completely changed my life and eventually led to me becoming a wheelchair user.My subsequent journey through major surgery and intense rehabilitation has taught me that we cannot always control what happens to us. What we can control is how we respond. That message seemed particularly relevant to the Gordon’s Sports Scholars. Whether they are facing a disappointing result, recovering from an injury, dealing with selection decisions, preparing for an important exam or simply struggling with the pressures of school life, the same principles apply. Perspective. Response. Purpose. Sport can teach us an enormous amount about resilience but those lessons don’t stop when the whistle blows. What I loved most about speaking at Gordon’s was seeing the pupils recognise that the skills they are developing as athletes can also help them become more resilient students, friends and, ultimately, adults. For me, that is what makes speaking to young people so rewarding. I don’t want pupils simply to hear my story and think, “That’s inspiring.” I want them to leave thinking, “What can I learn from this, and how can I use it in my own life?” Because resilience isn’t something you are simply born with. It is a skill you can learn, practise and strengthen on the sports field, in the classroom and in life.
A huge thank you to Gordon’s School for inviting me. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to share my story with such an enthusiastic group of young sports scholars.
