Brooke talks with Roderick Sewell, who is in training for Ironman and has represented Team USA about the challenges he has faced and successfully overcome to be an athlete
Training to compete at a national and international level has brought both challenge and the ability to adapt for Roderick and he shares how his journey has impacted him and his dreams
They also discuss how sports can develop routines and habits that impact positively all areas of your life and why it’s so important to be able to adjust, adapt and find a way
KEY TAKEAWAYS
It's learning to appreciate your life in whatever form
It’s never your issue it's someone else’s issue
I’ve represented Team USA on three national teams in swimming
I’ve met so many athletes who have had to learn to adapt to a world not meant for them becoming amazing athletes who influence others
Once I had overcome my fear of water swimming was where I felt comfortable
With swimming, you need to come at it in a disciplined way every day
I now have a work ethic that is difficult to change now and it’s been a positive in my life and work
Ironman was a change in pace but I knew I had the endurance
Ironman is a community where you meet the best people
People in ironman have adapted and conquered something in their lives and they are completely committed to finishing
A lot of people think they know what’s best for disabled people but we are the ones who know what’s best for us
BEST MOMENTS
‘I’m used to adjusting, adapting and finding a way’
‘I knew the endurance was there I just needed to use it’
‘If you are someone with a disability and you stay silent others will give you what they think you want’
‘Seeing those athletes made me realise it was something I could do’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Disabled & Proud Podcast
ABOUT THE HOST
Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves.
The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational.
Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”.
As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!
INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en
