1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: The message that we're stronger than we think is for everyone, right, 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: Like we all go through hard times in trauma and hardship, 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,639 Speaker 1: and I think that message that you have more in 4 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: you is something that I hope everyone sees in our 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: community and feels for themselves too. 6 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 2: Hey, Hey, Emily Abodi. Here you are listening to another 7 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 2: episode of Hurdle, a podcast featuring the mindset, secrets, and 8 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 2: true stories of the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, 9 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 2: empowering you to live a healthier, happier, more motivated life 10 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 2: and of course, conquer your own hurdles. This week, I 11 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: am sitting down with Ali Truett. She's a two time 12 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: Paralympic silver medallist and sharp attack survivor who's turned a 13 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 2: senseless tragedy into a powerful mission a hope. Shortly after 14 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 2: graduating up from Yale, where she was a competitive swimmer, 15 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 2: Ali's life changed forever when she was attacked by a 16 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 2: shark on vacation. Thanks to her own incredible strength and 17 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 2: the quick actions of her friends, one of whom applied 18 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 2: a life saving tourniquet, Ali survived, though she lost her 19 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 2: lower leg in the attack. In the episode today, Ali 20 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: shares her remarkable journey of recovery, from the early days 21 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 2: of facing a fear of the water to becoming an 22 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 2: American record holder and meddling at the Paris Paralympics. We 23 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: discuss everything from the power of community and how her 24 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 2: support system, including her parents and teammates, helped her navigate 25 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 2: the lowest lows, to mindset shifts, and her stronger than 26 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 2: You Think philosophy, the origins of her nonprofit and documentary, 27 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 2: both dedicated to helping others find their inner strength. Make 28 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 2: sure you're following along with Hurdle over on social It's 29 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: at Hurdle podcast. You can also check out Iheartwoman's Sports 30 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: over at Iheartwoman's Sports and me over at Emily a Body. 31 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 2: Listen to Hurdle with Emily a Body on the iHeartRadio app, 32 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 2: Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And with that, 33 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 2: let's get to it. Let's get to hurdle it. Today, 34 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 2: I am sitting down with Ali Truitt. She's a two 35 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 2: time Paralympic silver medalist. She's also a shark attack survivor 36 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 2: founder of a non prophet that we'll talk about today. 37 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 3: Ali Truant, Welcome to Hurdle. How are you. Thank you, 38 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 3: I'm good. Thanks for having me. 39 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 2: I am very excited to get an update because when 40 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 2: we met it was just before you ran the New 41 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: York City Marathon. 42 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 3: Tell me how you're feeling. 43 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, it was so fun. We had such 44 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: a fun time. And you know, I know a lot 45 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: of people talk about when it goes silent on the bridge, 46 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: like mile fifteen sixteen, and how that can feel hard. Yeah, 47 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 1: And I had read someone say like you said as 48 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: an opportunity to check in with your and I had 49 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: this moment where I was like, you just don't get 50 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: to run twenty six point two miles alongside fourteen or 51 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: fifteen friends and family like every mile the whole race. 52 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:10,679 Speaker 1: And it was a cool moment in the middle of 53 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 1: the race to be like, what a gift to be 54 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: running this alongside so many friends and family doing it 55 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: step by step with them. So that was so special 56 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: to have my mom, my dad, so many friends. It 57 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 1: was so fun. And you know, you hear a lot 58 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 1: like the crowd carries you. I've been to cheer and 59 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: people say that, yeah, then to run it, you're like, 60 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: the crowd carries your is so helpful. 61 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 3: I was like this is so fun. Oh my goodness. 62 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 2: So for those that don't have context, you said running 63 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 2: alongside fourteen fifteen people, Yes, not everyone's typical marathon experience, 64 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 2: but a very special experience for you. 65 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 3: Yes, it was so. 66 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: I ten days before I lost my lower leg in 67 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 1: a shark attack, I had run a marathon with my mom, 68 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 1: and so it was this goal kind of living in 69 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: the back of my mind. I think year one, I 70 00:03:58,080 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: felt like I wasn't going to be able to reclaim 71 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,119 Speaker 1: and then it just felt really hard and painful. Your two, 72 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: I got access to a prosthetic running blade, and it 73 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: changed my mindset. So the goal creep back into my mind. 74 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: I decided I wanted to try to run the marathon, 75 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: and I did it alongside my mom and my dad 76 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: and then a lot of my friends, my cousin, my uncle. 77 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: Two of my friends were two college teammates who were 78 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 1: pivotal in saving my life. 79 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 3: One of them was in the water with me during 80 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 3: the attack. 81 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: And to do that alongside so many people in your 82 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: life who truly have been there at the low points, 83 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: picked you up, been side by side with me this 84 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: whole recovery, It's something I'm going to look back on 85 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: for the rest of my life and be like, what 86 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: a treat to get to do that alongside them, and 87 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: for all of them to sacrifice, you know, their time 88 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: and their training to do it too. 89 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 2: It's not like you were just like, Hey, does everyone 90 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 2: want to meet up on this specific day to do dinner? 91 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 2: Because even that these days can be a challenge to 92 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 2: rally together totally a bunch of people at the same 93 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 2: time in the same place you recommended. No, we're all 94 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: going to do this extravagant emotional event together. Running a 95 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 2: marathon is such an emotional experience within itself. Give me 96 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 2: some insight into the feelings you experienced as you looked 97 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 2: around and saw your support system going with you step 98 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 2: by step. 99 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: I think every time I think about it, I get 100 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 1: chills because it's one of those moments where you're like, 101 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 1: I can't believe that this is what's happening right now, that. 102 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 3: We're doing this. 103 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: Like to think back, you know, there were moments during 104 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: the race where I would think back to those moments 105 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: right after the attack where I was like, I'm never 106 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: gonna run again. 107 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:34,679 Speaker 3: I love running. 108 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: I just ran a marathon and it's never happening again. 109 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: And to be running and think back to that and 110 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: then kind of almost see my recovery and all the 111 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: people right next to me who had played such pivotal 112 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: roles throughout that whole thing to enable me to be 113 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 1: in a position where I was running a marathon. It's 114 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: just like the coolest, coolest thing, and especially you know, 115 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 1: cherishing getting to to have done one right before the 116 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: attack with my mom, lose my leg, and then run 117 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: another one with her on a prosthetic. I feel like 118 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: with such a full circle moment for us too. Yeah, 119 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: and you know, I know what I went through myself 120 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 1: was really hard and I can't imagine as a parent 121 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: how hard that was. So it felt like a really 122 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: special moment for us as well, that, you know, as 123 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: I was running alongside her, just reflecting, and of course 124 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 1: my dad too. 125 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 3: I think that's so special, also so special, so special. 126 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 2: I'm like, I'm like, my eyes are wet just thinking 127 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 2: about the emotions that go with that. And to your point, 128 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: it's so beautiful to hear you say I can't imagine 129 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: what it must have felt like for my parents, despite 130 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 2: you also obviously going through. 131 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 3: Such a traumatic event. 132 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 2: That shows compassion beyond I think anyone's years. 133 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: Really, you definitely think about I have an incredible support 134 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: system that I'm so grateful for. That is a big reason, 135 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 1: you know, I was so excited to get out there 136 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 1: and pass that support on and pay it forward. But 137 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: you definitely think about, or I do, the toll that 138 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 1: it takes on them to be that emotional support and 139 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 1: helped me through this. So I think it was a 140 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: great moment for all of us just to celebrate what 141 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: we had all overcome, my friends, my family, my whole community. 142 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you mentioned two of your good friends, Sophie 143 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: and Hannah that ran the marathon with you. Sophie was 144 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 2: with you when you were attacked by the shark. For 145 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 2: those that are not familiar with your story, give us 146 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: a little bit of insight into what happened. 147 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 3: On that day. Yeah. 148 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: So, two days after my college graduation a little bit 149 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: over two years ago, I was on a celebratory trip 150 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: with my friend Sophie, who was the captain of my 151 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: college swim team my freshman year, and we were snorkeling 152 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 1: in a very common shallow snorkeling reef. Seemingly out of nowhere, 153 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: a shark appeared and started attacking us. We fought back, 154 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: but pretty quickly it got my leg in its mouth, 155 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: and the next thing I knew, it had bitten off 156 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: my foot, part of my leg. I was bleeding out 157 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: in the water, and we screamed for help, but no 158 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: help came. So Sophie and I made this second decision 159 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 1: to swim for our lives back to the boat, which 160 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: was seventy five yards away in the open ocean, with 161 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: the shark chasing us. 162 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 3: And I was footless. 163 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: And bleeding, and immediately on the boat, Sophie as the 164 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: captain for a tourniquet and applied it to my leg 165 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: to save my life. And I will be forever indebted 166 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 1: to her. I am in awe of you know. It's 167 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: one thing to have that medical knowledge and the skill 168 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: to apply a tournique. It's another to do that after 169 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: having just been attacked yourself and staring at your footless, 170 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: bleeding best friend. It's beyond the level of knowing it 171 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:49,680 Speaker 1: from a doctor's side, but also from someone who just 172 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 1: has unimaginable strength and selflessness and courage. And I just 173 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:55,719 Speaker 1: look up to her in so many ways. So it 174 00:08:55,840 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: was again running alongside her, such a moment for us, 175 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: you know, She was the first person, along with the 176 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 1: first responder, who witnessed that doubt in me that I 177 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: was never going to be able to run again, and 178 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: so just so healing for us. And then I was 179 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: airlifted to a trauma hospital in Miami, and coincidentally, Sophie 180 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,839 Speaker 1: and my friend Hannah, who was also on my college 181 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: swim team, was in medical school rotations at that exact 182 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: trauma hospital. 183 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:29,959 Speaker 2: That is beyond Yeah, like that to me is truly 184 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 2: call it fate. Maybe if you're a spiritual person, like 185 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: that is someone's looking out for you. 186 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's what you know. 187 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: It's easy to look at my journey and what happened 188 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 1: to me and kind of wallow in the negativity of 189 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 1: it and the y me and all the things that 190 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: went wrong for me, And I definitely fall into that 191 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: and have fallen into that. It's I would be lying 192 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: if I said I didn't have some of those thoughts. 193 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: But I work really hard to also recenter myself on 194 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:58,319 Speaker 1: all the things that went right, all the things I'm 195 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: lucky for in that story that kept me alt I've 196 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 1: here today, And having Sophie and Hannah in those moments, 197 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,959 Speaker 1: in those places is something that's like just the hugest 198 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: miracle that I really focused on in those early days 199 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 1: of grief and pain, to be like, how lucky am 200 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: I that they saved my life, that they were in 201 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 1: those places in those moments. So Hannah ran it with 202 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: us too, and that was so so fun, so special. 203 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 3: They're incredible. 204 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 1: They're both juggling medical school rotations and residency and amidst 205 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: all that training for a marathon. 206 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 3: So wow, it was awesome. 207 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely wild, that perspective of look at all that 208 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 2: went right when also simultaneously so much is going wrong. 209 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 2: Have you always been able to approach things in that 210 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 2: way or is that mindset shift something that you've had 211 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 2: to learn over time. 212 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:49,439 Speaker 1: I think a lot of what's helped me through the 213 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: past two years recovering from a shark attack and an 214 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 1: amputation our habits that I have set in place my 215 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: whole life, And it's something I'm so grateful for because 216 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: you don't know when you're going to need to call 217 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 1: on them, and obviously it's never too late to start, 218 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: but to have that put in place of these are 219 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: habits I've practiced for years and years and years that 220 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: I'm now going to turn to was really helpful and 221 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: so growing up, my mom is a cognitive behavioral therapist, 222 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: and growing up she encouraged me and my three brothers. 223 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: It's natural to feel like you want to sit in 224 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 1: certain situations that go wrong and say why me? Why 225 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 1: did this happen to me? And she was like, if 226 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: you ask why me, do it? Ask it, but make 227 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 1: sure you're asking it in both directions. 228 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: So why me? Why'd I get attacked by a shark? 229 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: Why did I lose my leg at twenty three years 230 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: old enough to be an amputee for the rest of 231 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:40,199 Speaker 1: my life? 232 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 3: Why me? But also why me? 233 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: Why did I get to stay calm and have the 234 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: inner strength and the swimming skill to save my life? 235 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 1: Why did I have friends and family who rallied behind 236 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 1: me like no other and showed up in unimaginable ways? 237 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 1: Why did I never get to worry about food on 238 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 1: the table? 239 00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 3: Right like a million? Why me? 240 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: In the positive direction? And so that habit I think, 241 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: in that moment where it was so easy to sit 242 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: there and say why me? Was this this habit I 243 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 1: called on to say, let's also think about all the 244 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 1: things that went right for me. 245 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 3: In that moment? Yeah? 246 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 2: Wow, again, such a beautiful and impressive perspective, something that 247 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 2: so many can learn from. Now I know that you 248 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:27,679 Speaker 2: are actively and very passionate about paying it forward. Now, 249 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 2: all of these difficult experiences that you've been through came 250 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 2: full circle for you to create your nonprofit. Talk to 251 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:39,439 Speaker 2: me a little bit about your nonprofit and why it's 252 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 2: so important to you. 253 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you. 254 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 1: I think early on I knew that all the support 255 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 1: I was receiving was something I was so lucky for, 256 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: and it was a complete game changer for me, like 257 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: a total difference maker in my recovery, and I really 258 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:54,679 Speaker 1: couldn't wait until I could pay it forward. I think 259 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: joining the amputee community, I was shocked at how expensive 260 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: prosthetics are, littles covered by insurance relative to what's needed, 261 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 1: you know, I was learning that prosthetics can range from 262 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 1: ten thousand dollars to over one hundred thousand dollars. It 263 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:11,319 Speaker 1: felt like life as an amputee was hard enough as is, 264 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 1: that we shouldn't also have to be concerned with at 265 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 1: a ford a part of our body that we need 266 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: just to live. So I wanted to do something about it, 267 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: and I founded my nonprofit. Stronger than you think it 268 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: supports the three pillars I say that saved my life 269 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: and helped me rebuild it. So that's water safety, the 270 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 1: Paralympic movement, and funding for prosthetics for women and girls. 271 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: And it truly is just a hug to my heart 272 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: to be able to do this work. It's so healing 273 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: to say I can take this bad, senseless trauma that 274 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,319 Speaker 1: happened to me and use it for good. And it's 275 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: been really exciting to have the impact that we've had 276 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 1: to date we've been able to give fifteen prosthetics, but 277 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,559 Speaker 1: it's also very motivating to continue doing everything I can 278 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 1: to continue having impact there. And I think one of 279 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: my favorite things too is, you know, financially it's important 280 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: to have that impact and it's a focus of mine, 281 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: but so focused on the support and the community and 282 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: the friendship that's coming out of this nonprofit. And that's 283 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,760 Speaker 1: with our recipients, and that's with our supporters and our followers, 284 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 1: and whether you fall into those three pillars or not, 285 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,199 Speaker 1: the message that we're stronger than we think is for everyone, right, 286 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: Like we all go through hard times in trauma and hardship, 287 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 1: and I think that message that you have more in 288 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: you is something that I hope everyone sees in our 289 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: community and feels for themselves too. 290 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 3: Where did the name come from? 291 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: It's honestly one of my biggest learnings from the two years. 292 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: We are so much stronger than we think. We have 293 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: way more in us than we might think we do. Yeah, 294 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 1: And I learned that for myself, Like, if you had 295 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 1: asked me out these two years were go. That was 296 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: never what I would have predicted. And you know, I 297 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 1: remember in I think I was in high school, I 298 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: heard David Goggins, you know, David gosh days. He had 299 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: said that we're all only operating at forty percent of 300 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: our human capacity, our potential. And I think when I 301 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 1: first heard that in high school or whatever it was, 302 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, maybe, like you, I didn't totally 303 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: believe it. Yeah, And these past two years, I'm like, 304 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: he's right, Like, we have so much more in us. 305 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: We're just sitting on these wells of capacity, and if 306 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: we can open our minds to that and believe it 307 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: even just a little bit, we will surprise ourselves with 308 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 1: what we overcome, with what we can achieve physically. 309 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 3: So the name really is that. 310 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: Big learning that I learned that I hope to spread 311 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: to everyone who learns my story or about the nonprofit. 312 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's also the name of your documentary. 313 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 3: I want to talk to you. 314 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 2: A bit about that experience from the get go. So 315 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 2: when did you solidify that this was a project that 316 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 2: you were going to work on. 317 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 1: So basically, the documentary, which is also called Starting Than 318 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 1: You Think, chronicles kind of my journey from shark attack 319 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: and amputation. 320 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 3: To the Paris Paralympics a year later. 321 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 1: So it is that first year of navigating life as 322 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: an amputee, adjusting learning, facing setbacks, and also at the 323 00:15:57,800 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: same time trying to get back in the water and 324 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 1: train for the parent Olympics. We worked with an all 325 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 1: female crew. They are incredible and just so amazing at 326 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: really hearing my goals in sharing my story and having 327 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: that come to life in this documentary. So I'm really excited. 328 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: It's been premiering in some film festivals, which has been 329 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: so fun. And to continue spreading that message of hope, 330 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: to shine a light on the Paralympic movement and the 331 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: fact that we can bounce back after life knocks us down, 332 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: it's really meaningful for me. 333 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 2: How did it feel to go through the process of 334 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 2: having people join in so regularly to learn about you, 335 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: to learn about your story. Were there things that you 336 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 2: didn't expect, things that really brought you joy. 337 00:16:57,680 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: When they come and film you definitely know those you 338 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: can't there, but you do. I've heard people say you 339 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: forget the cameras there and you kind of do, so 340 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,679 Speaker 1: that part I had heard. 341 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 3: And I didn't. 342 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: I every time I hear that, I'm like, no, way, 343 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: like you see a camera there. But but I think 344 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: as especially just in such an emotional hard year, I 345 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 1: had so many things to focus on that I did 346 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:21,159 Speaker 1: kind of sometimes forget that we are being filmed, and 347 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: and I think that's nice, because I really my goal was, 348 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: if I'm sharing my journey, I do want to make 349 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: sure I'm sharing those highs and the shiny fun moments 350 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:32,360 Speaker 1: to show you know, what you can go back get 351 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,919 Speaker 1: back to after such a dramatic or heart event, but 352 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: at the same time to show the low moments, to 353 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: be authentic about that journey. And if someone finds themselves 354 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: crying on a couch just like I did several times, 355 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,919 Speaker 1: that doesn't rule out the possibility of making it to 356 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:49,479 Speaker 1: the Paralympic podium. A few months later or whatever that 357 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: equivalent is for someone, and so. 358 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 3: So I'm grateful that that's how that played out. 359 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: I think it was you know, they were so great 360 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:00,959 Speaker 1: to be around, so it really was fun and it 361 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 1: was such a cool moment just to shine a light 362 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: on so many things I was focused on. I think 363 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 1: in the day to day of the filming, that's not 364 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:09,880 Speaker 1: necessarily what you're thinking about. You're just letting someone film 365 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: your life, and it was fun to kind of see 366 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,720 Speaker 1: that process of how that all comes together and to 367 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:16,679 Speaker 1: learn more. You know, you film for so many hours 368 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 1: and a lot of it gets cut, just the nature of. 369 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 3: It, and so that was cool to learn about too. 370 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 2: You said that, you know, the last couple of years 371 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 2: involved a lot of things that you could have never anticipated. 372 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 2: There has to be also a grief that goes along 373 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: with that. There's this really beautiful opportunity and perspective that 374 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 2: you vocalize that you've been able to obtain, which is, wow, 375 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 2: look how beautiful this can be. 376 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,359 Speaker 3: And also you never thought you would be doing this. 377 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 2: Talk to me a little bit about what that grieving 378 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 2: process looks like for you. 379 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:53,120 Speaker 1: I think grief is something that you know will live 380 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 1: with me forever. I don't think you grieve and you 381 00:18:56,760 --> 00:19:01,160 Speaker 1: heal and it's done. And I've learned that through this 382 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: traumatic event, and it's taught me to have grace with 383 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: myself to know that grief comes in waves and can 384 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: appear at the craziest times where you wouldn't even expect it. 385 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: The smallest things can kind of cause grief and bring 386 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,439 Speaker 1: it back up, and so the grieving process for me 387 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: hasn't continues to be a bumpy road, and I think 388 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: just understanding that being a little bit softer with myself 389 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 1: and gentler of knowing that it can come at any time, 390 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: knowing that it's okay to grief and take that moment 391 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 1: and feel sad. Something for me that that doesn't really 392 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: work is just moving immediately into kind of the positive 393 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 1: reset a. I call it permission to feel, an intention 394 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: to reset. And so first for me, like grief, feel 395 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: feel sad, feel upset, let yourself think those thoughts, just 396 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,199 Speaker 1: don't stay there, then press the reset button and get 397 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,080 Speaker 1: back up. That's been really helpful for me. But there 398 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:59,440 Speaker 1: have been so many moments where the smallest things even 399 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:01,919 Speaker 1: like and I think it's important, right, Like I was 400 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: so proud, so excited to run a marathon on a 401 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 1: prosthetic blade. I can't believe that's what I just got 402 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: to do and what I was able to do. And 403 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: at the same time, there were several times in there 404 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 1: where I did grieve what it used to feel like 405 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,160 Speaker 1: to run on two feet, how freeing it was, how 406 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,239 Speaker 1: easy compared to running on a prosthetic blade it was. 407 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 1: You know, those challenges bring up that grief of like 408 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 1: what that used to feel like, And that happens all 409 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: the time. Yeah, so I think it's something that lives 410 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 1: with you forever. And at times it's tightened and at 411 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:36,159 Speaker 1: times it's not. For me, it's really been learning, like 412 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: they go hand in hand. It's not just because you're 413 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: feeling one way you can't feel another. My mom calls 414 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 1: it holding the dialectic to two opposite feelings can be 415 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 1: true at the same time. 416 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, a lot happening simultaneously. When was the last time 417 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 2: that it almost unexpectedly hit you? You said it can be 418 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 2: triggered by like very small all moments. 419 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: I've had so many, I think I don't know, I've 420 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 1: probably a recent one. I mean to be honest, like 421 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: sometimes even I'll be like scrolling Instagram and just even 422 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:12,360 Speaker 1: like watching someone's like day in the life of like 423 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: getting to throw on their running sneakers and shorts and 424 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:15,920 Speaker 1: go out, and then getting to throw on cute heels 425 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:18,399 Speaker 1: and go out, and like watching that that's like no 426 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: longer how that looks like for me when it used 427 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 1: to be And I don't even know what was something 428 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,400 Speaker 1: I was supposed to be grateful for, right like, oh, 429 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: just throwing on my shoes with something I was supposed 430 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 1: to be like, thank gosh, I can do this, And 431 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 1: now it's like I have to adjust a prosthetic ankle 432 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 1: to fit the arch height, right Like there's all these 433 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 1: things that I think. The other day, I was trying 434 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: to put on tights because it's cold out, and dressing 435 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: over a prosthetic leg is like have you ever put 436 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 1: clothes on a Barbie doll and it gets all stuck 437 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: on the like and getting frustrated there. Then I'm like 438 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: this used to never be something, and now for the 439 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 1: rest of my life, if I want to wear tights, 440 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 1: but I have to wrestle, and it seems so small, right, like, Okay, 441 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 1: don't wear tights, or take some time and put your 442 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: tights on. But but it brings up that larger feeling 443 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 1: of like life is different now. 444 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, And that's not to say I'm gonna figure it out. 445 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:02,960 Speaker 1: I'm to learn it and and maybe that's kind of 446 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 1: a small problem relative and I'm alive and I'm so 447 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:08,439 Speaker 1: lucky for that. But also I can grieve things that 448 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:10,359 Speaker 1: used to be simple, things that used to be easy, 449 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:13,119 Speaker 1: the way my life used to look. So so I 450 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:15,399 Speaker 1: think even those small things you never expect, right, like 451 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 1: getting dressed to go out, and I'm yeah, yeah. 452 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:22,919 Speaker 2: Entirely understandable, Like as as someone that does have two legs, 453 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,919 Speaker 2: I get frustrated putting on tights. I can't even I 454 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:29,679 Speaker 2: cannot even imagine. It's such an understandable place to be 455 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,239 Speaker 2: coming from. Now, you also in this the last two 456 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 2: years were nothing like I expected. I mean, you definitely 457 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 2: didn't think about becoming a Paralympian or an olympian when 458 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 2: you were graduating college. Talk to me about getting back 459 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 2: in the water. And when that transformed from I'm just 460 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:50,240 Speaker 2: going to face this fear to I'm going to take 461 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:51,119 Speaker 2: this to another level. 462 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 1: I think pretty early on in my recovery, I realized 463 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:00,600 Speaker 1: that I was feeling fearful of the water, and the 464 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,120 Speaker 1: water is something I have loved my whole life. I've 465 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:05,359 Speaker 1: been a competitive swimmer to some degree since I was 466 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 1: seven years old. I find so much dooy and peace 467 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 1: in the water, and it's been a safe and happy 468 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 1: place for me forever. And after the attack, after being 469 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: conscious in the ocean for the attack, I was really 470 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: scared of the water and like I would go to 471 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:25,640 Speaker 1: take a shower and the sound of the water would 472 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 1: trigger a flashback wow, and I felt really upset, Like 473 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 1: I was like, this is something I've loved forever that 474 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:34,440 Speaker 1: now I've lost too. And I had this moment where 475 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,360 Speaker 1: I was like, some things that I've lost here I'm 476 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:39,440 Speaker 1: not getting back, Like I'm not getting my foot back, 477 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:41,919 Speaker 1: but there are some things that I can fight to 478 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 1: get back. And if it's on the table for me 479 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: to fight for, I'm going to fight for it. And 480 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 1: I decided I was starting with the water, and I 481 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: got back in our backyard pool and I got back 482 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,199 Speaker 1: in in with a floaty around my waist as a 483 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: Division one college swarmer, because we weren't sure, like physically 484 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: or emotionally, how I was going to respond, and it 485 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: was this really kind of like exposure therapy progression where 486 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 1: I put a toe in, then I put my ankle. 487 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 3: It like kind of built up to it. 488 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 1: But I think those early days were really working, like 489 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,240 Speaker 1: you said, to face that fear, to show myself it 490 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: was something I could reclaim. I would get these like 491 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:16,919 Speaker 1: moments where things felt good again in the water, and 492 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:18,679 Speaker 1: I would cling to them and be like, if I 493 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 1: can just keep doing this. 494 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 3: It'll build, it'll grow. 495 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: And I had actually had Noah Lambert, who's a Paralympic 496 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: check and feal. 497 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 3: That's she's a hurdler too. Amazing. 498 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:33,160 Speaker 1: She reached out about a month in to be supportive 499 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:35,960 Speaker 1: and had said one thing she said to me, and 500 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: the call was considered the Paralympics, it's really healing you. 501 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:42,600 Speaker 1: I think would really enjoy it, like just think about it. 502 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:44,200 Speaker 1: And when I first heard her, I was like, Okay, no, 503 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,840 Speaker 1: why they're in eleven months, Like there's no way a 504 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: month into a shark attack and amputation. So appreciated the 505 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: support and the call, but I was like that part, 506 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:54,920 Speaker 1: like I'm just that's not going to be where I'm at. 507 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 3: And as I kind of kept swimming and did it 508 00:24:58,400 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 3: more and. 509 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 1: More also for physical therapy because that was waiting for 510 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 1: a prosthetic leg. I started to have the idea creep 511 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,639 Speaker 1: in like hey, what if I could do that? What 512 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 1: if I could pull that off? And that was really 513 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 1: exciting to me. I always have like what if I fail? 514 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: What if I don't do well? What if this goes wrong? 515 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: To have the like what if in nine months I 516 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:18,719 Speaker 1: could train and qualify for TMUSA for the Paris Paralympics. 517 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: Was this like hugely positive, exciting what if that? I 518 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 1: was like, should I just lean into that and go 519 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:26,119 Speaker 1: for it? And I think, you know, even though it 520 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 1: seemed like such a small chance and I knew it 521 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 1: was going to be pulling a rabbit out of a 522 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:34,920 Speaker 1: hat to try to do it, the opportunity to represent 523 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 1: your country at that level like is so cool and 524 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:41,159 Speaker 1: so special. So that's when I was like, Okay, I 525 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: think I'm going to go for it and start training. 526 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: And at that point I had nine months to really 527 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 1: get back and shape in the water and start getting 528 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:51,639 Speaker 1: some cardio based back and then start learning how to 529 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,399 Speaker 1: swim with one leg instead of two and swimming to 530 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 1: a level that would enable me to qualify. 531 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:01,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I mean spoiler alert, we didn't just qualify, 532 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 2: then we meddled, and now you're an American record holder. Yes, 533 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 2: which is so special, all of it, not just taking 534 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:12,920 Speaker 2: into account the mental gymnastics that had to go hand 535 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,679 Speaker 2: in hand with getting back in the water, but to 536 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 2: now swim faster than you did when you had two legs. 537 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:21,680 Speaker 3: When I say that to you, how does it make 538 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:24,639 Speaker 3: you feel? I feel really proud of that. 539 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:26,320 Speaker 1: I know the work that it took to get there, 540 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:29,600 Speaker 1: as you said, emotionally and physically. I think, you know, 541 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:33,399 Speaker 1: it's a message to myself of what is possible for 542 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:35,920 Speaker 1: me in this new body. I think at the start, 543 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 1: naturally you have a lot of fears, a lot of worries, 544 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 1: and to be in a place where I'm swimming faster 545 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: than I ever swam in certain events with two legs 546 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: is a message to myself of what is still possible, 547 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:49,040 Speaker 1: and I hope it's a message to other people watching too. 548 00:26:49,080 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 1: I think, you know, a big goal for a lot 549 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 1: of Paralympians is changing the perception of disability that the 550 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: people hold, and I think being able to say that 551 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:01,440 Speaker 1: with one leg I'm swimming faster at the Paralympics than 552 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 1: I did with two legs is hopefully spreading that message 553 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 1: and showing that. And you know, I talk a lot 554 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 1: about for me to make and metal at the Paralympics, 555 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,760 Speaker 1: I needed to swim times that I had swum to 556 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 1: get recruited Division one to you with two legs, but 557 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:17,640 Speaker 1: with one. 558 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,119 Speaker 3: And it's really fast and competitive. 559 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: And I think that achievement for me of swimming even 560 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,440 Speaker 1: faster was in line with what I had learned there 561 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 1: and that message too. 562 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:34,480 Speaker 2: I also really love the perspective of what if the 563 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 2: best thing happens, what if it's better than I imagined. 564 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:41,960 Speaker 2: I texted a girlfriend earlier today and I said, what's 565 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 2: something that you want to happen by the end of 566 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:47,439 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six that feels so much bigger than you? 567 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 2: And sometimes it is as simple as putting it out 568 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:56,959 Speaker 2: into the universe and saying why not me? It is 569 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,520 Speaker 2: just as likely that things can go better than you 570 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 2: expect than it is that they might not go well 571 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:07,439 Speaker 2: at all. And we are constantly trapped in this grief 572 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:11,199 Speaker 2: and shame spiral and this comparison moment right that we 573 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 2: don't allow ourselves the opportunity to dream. So when you 574 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 2: think now about what if it's even better than I anticipated? 575 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:25,160 Speaker 2: And you think forward what comes to mind for you? 576 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:27,640 Speaker 1: You know, I think also, just like on what you 577 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 1: just said, for me, it takes work to get yourself 578 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:35,879 Speaker 1: to that other headspace. It's not just something that kind of, 579 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: at least for me, happens right like the other side 580 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 1: of it happens all the time. 581 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 3: What if this doesn't go well? What if I fail read? 582 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 1: That's natural, That's where my brain naturally gravitates. And it 583 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,600 Speaker 1: takes a lot of practice, yeah, to get yourself into 584 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: that other headspace of just saying like, let me create 585 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:53,959 Speaker 1: space for the other side of this. Let me focus 586 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 1: on the way that I'm talking to myself about myself 587 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: to open up those possibilities and the belief in those possibilities. 588 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 1: So it is something that I work at and just 589 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 1: noticing the way that I'm talking to myself every day 590 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 1: and now as I think ahead, it really has helped me. 591 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:13,240 Speaker 1: I think I've always been someone who sets big, bold 592 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:15,200 Speaker 1: goals and knows that sometimes I'm not going to get them. 593 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: No one likes not getting them, but also teaches me 594 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: I'll get back up and work again. But I think 595 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: as I look ahead to LA twenty twenty eight with 596 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 1: the home games, as I look ahead to growing my nonprofit, 597 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:27,800 Speaker 1: continuing to have as much impact as I can there, 598 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 1: as I think ahead to how much healing I am 599 00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:34,240 Speaker 1: finding in the advocacy work and in the representation through 600 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 1: things like Sports Illustrated swimsuit or a Nike sponsorship, those 601 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:42,040 Speaker 1: are goals for me is to continue really doing everything 602 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:45,840 Speaker 1: I can to use any attention my story's getting the 603 00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:49,600 Speaker 1: journey that I've had to continue spreading, hope, to continue representing, 604 00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 1: to continue advocating. 605 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:54,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, how does a muscle strengthen You give it something 606 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 2: to push up against? How does your will strengthen? You 607 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:01,960 Speaker 2: give it something to push up against? And that isn't 608 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 2: something that you are alone in. I'm in the same place. 609 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 2: I don't want to throw out an incorrect statistic, but 610 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:10,760 Speaker 2: it's upward of eighty percent of the thoughts that we 611 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 2: have every day are negative and it's up to us 612 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 2: and an opportunity for each of us to work on 613 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 2: strengthening that resiliency muscle. 614 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:22,120 Speaker 3: But it's not easy. Yeah, it's not. 615 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 2: It's not easy at all that you threw out Nike, 616 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:27,280 Speaker 2: you threw out Sports Illustrated. 617 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:28,800 Speaker 3: I want to start with Nike. 618 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 2: Where were you when you got the call that this 619 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:37,480 Speaker 2: was even a conversation that they were interested in having, 620 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:40,120 Speaker 2: that you could be a Nike athlete. 621 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 1: I was at home, which was really fun because I 622 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: got to run straight to my mom and like freak out. 623 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 2: I think it was an email or a call call okay, 624 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,840 Speaker 2: And I mean, like I. 625 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 3: Feel like so much of that stuff. 626 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:54,920 Speaker 1: I'm like, I didn't even dream that, like think of 627 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:56,560 Speaker 1: this as a dream because I didn't even think it 628 00:30:56,560 --> 00:30:59,680 Speaker 1: was possible for myself. So I think that was really 629 00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:02,880 Speaker 1: really cool and exciting. And also just as I mentioned, 630 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:06,520 Speaker 1: like the representation I think coming into the amputee community, 631 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 1: coming into the Paralympic community, I want to do everything 632 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:13,320 Speaker 1: I can to continue everyone else's efforts, right, Like I 633 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: stand on the shoulders of giants who have paved the 634 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:17,400 Speaker 1: way for so many of us, and there's so much 635 00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:21,000 Speaker 1: room to still grow to increase that representation, and it matters. 636 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:24,400 Speaker 1: And so I think that was such an exciting thing 637 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:27,280 Speaker 1: of like, if I could be a Paralympian sponsored by Nike, 638 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 1: that is just sending a huge message to continue adding 639 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:34,240 Speaker 1: to their insane roster of incredible athletes. 640 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:36,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean standing on the shoulders of giants, I 641 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:38,800 Speaker 2: don't need to talk to you about Jessica Long. And 642 00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:41,400 Speaker 2: then as a Nike athlete Scout Bassett, have you had 643 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 2: the opportunity and interact with Scout? 644 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: Yes, Oh yeah, she's a jem amazing, amazing, Yeah, such 645 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:48,000 Speaker 1: a gem. 646 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:51,880 Speaker 2: So then to double click on Sports Illustrated, talk to 647 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,080 Speaker 2: me about where you were when you got the Sports 648 00:31:54,120 --> 00:31:56,640 Speaker 2: Illustrated call, and then talk to me about how it 649 00:31:56,680 --> 00:31:58,640 Speaker 2: felt to pose for Sports Illustrated. 650 00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:00,280 Speaker 3: When I out the. 651 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:03,720 Speaker 1: Sports Illustrated call, I was coming back. I had come 652 00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:06,720 Speaker 1: back from I think I had come back from the Paralympics, 653 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: and I actually had like a vacation planned with my mom. 654 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:12,240 Speaker 1: So I was like, okay, well I'm be in Italy 655 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 1: the week before. But I was again like freaking Now. 656 00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:20,760 Speaker 1: I think being in a bathing suit is more comfortable 657 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 1: for me as a lifelong swimmer than probably most I 658 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:26,600 Speaker 1: don't know, but I'm pretty comfortable in a swimsuit. 659 00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:28,720 Speaker 3: But what was. 660 00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:32,000 Speaker 1: A completely new thing was being in a bathing suit 661 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:35,960 Speaker 1: in a prosthetic leg. Yeah, and that would be you know, 662 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:39,840 Speaker 1: a little over a year out from the attack and amputation, 663 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 1: and I started in a place where I asked my 664 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:43,840 Speaker 1: parents to give away all my short dresses and short 665 00:32:43,840 --> 00:32:46,800 Speaker 1: skirts and said, I'm never going to wear anything short again. 666 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 1: I don't want my prosthetic leg to be seen. So 667 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:51,720 Speaker 1: now a year later, to be in a tiny bikini 668 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,000 Speaker 1: posing for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in my prosthetic leg, that 669 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 1: was really anxiety inducing, just that exposure for myself and 670 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:03,520 Speaker 1: to was something new and something that had been challenged 671 00:33:03,600 --> 00:33:07,000 Speaker 1: during my recovery, and so I was definitely nervous. I 672 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:10,520 Speaker 1: also had not done modeling, so I didn't have too 673 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:11,880 Speaker 1: much information on that. 674 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:15,360 Speaker 3: But I was also like, this is the coolest. 675 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:18,880 Speaker 1: Thing one to show myself, like the growth that I've had, 676 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:22,600 Speaker 1: and I think the Paralympics really expedited my recovery and 677 00:33:22,680 --> 00:33:25,880 Speaker 1: helped me get to a different place of self acceptance. 678 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:29,040 Speaker 1: And then to kind of cap that off with rece Illustrated, 679 00:33:29,080 --> 00:33:32,160 Speaker 1: to show myself that journey, but also again like to 680 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:36,600 Speaker 1: represent I think now after being in that issue and 681 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:39,160 Speaker 1: then also getting to walk in Miami Swim Week, the 682 00:33:39,240 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 1: dms and messages that I get from mothers and from 683 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,960 Speaker 1: the women and girls themselves of what it meant to 684 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:47,720 Speaker 1: open the magazine and see someone in a prosthetic or 685 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 1: to watch me walk the runway was something I wasn't anticipating, 686 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:53,280 Speaker 1: you know, I was hopeful that it would help increase 687 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:56,720 Speaker 1: that representation. I believed it mattered. But to get that feedback, 688 00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:00,320 Speaker 1: You're like, one, I'm so thankful that I could do 689 00:34:00,360 --> 00:34:02,280 Speaker 1: this and represent in that way, and that's something that 690 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 1: is such a gift and so exciting. 691 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:07,080 Speaker 3: But two, like, so thankful to sports illustrateds, some. 692 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:10,800 Speaker 1: Suit and others like them who prioritize not only recognize 693 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 1: the importance of it, but then put the action behind 694 00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:16,839 Speaker 1: it and prioritize you know, that inclusivity and that representation too. 695 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:20,000 Speaker 2: What I'm hearing you say is that the opportunity once 696 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:24,040 Speaker 2: again showed you that you are maybe stronger than you think. 697 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:26,600 Speaker 2: It gave you that chance to show up in a 698 00:34:26,640 --> 00:34:31,879 Speaker 2: way that, yes, was uncomfortable and also was an opportunity. 699 00:34:31,960 --> 00:34:34,719 Speaker 2: You mentioned walking on the runway. Talk to me about 700 00:34:34,719 --> 00:34:36,960 Speaker 2: walking on the runway. I like, yeah, walk in a 701 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:38,040 Speaker 2: straight line if you beat me. 702 00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:41,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, truly, I was like, all my prosthetic it 703 00:34:41,320 --> 00:34:44,719 Speaker 1: floats on a pool like the runway, So I was like, 704 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:47,720 Speaker 1: this is way out of my comfort zone. But also 705 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,360 Speaker 1: like the coolest and most exciting thing, and the whole 706 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:52,879 Speaker 1: team there is incredible, Like they're all just they make 707 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:54,520 Speaker 1: you feel so confident and so comfortable. 708 00:34:54,520 --> 00:34:55,680 Speaker 3: And that was at my shoot and that was on 709 00:34:55,680 --> 00:34:57,600 Speaker 3: the runway, so that really really helped. 710 00:34:57,640 --> 00:34:59,960 Speaker 1: I was like in the fitting also, the fitting is 711 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:03,680 Speaker 1: like you walk in there's just like a rainbow collection 712 00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:06,240 Speaker 1: of all these suits and it's like, so fun. 713 00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:09,160 Speaker 3: Do you get do you for the record? Do you 714 00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:11,040 Speaker 3: get to pick the one that you want to wear? 715 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:14,760 Speaker 1: So in the shoots, you wear multiple They have stylists 716 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:16,719 Speaker 1: who are amazing who pick out ones that they think 717 00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:18,600 Speaker 1: would look good on you, but you're allowed to like 718 00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:20,560 Speaker 1: you tried those on in your fitting, but you also 719 00:35:20,600 --> 00:35:23,840 Speaker 1: can look across. Yeah, so wow, you do get like 720 00:35:24,239 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: to see what you feel best in. But it was 721 00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:30,880 Speaker 1: so fun to meet so many other girls to walk to. 722 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:33,440 Speaker 1: My family came, my best friend came, And it was 723 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:37,200 Speaker 1: on the two year mark of my amputation, which happened 724 00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:40,080 Speaker 1: on my twenty third birthday. So then on my twenty 725 00:35:40,080 --> 00:35:43,879 Speaker 1: fifth birthday to be walking the runway in Miami where 726 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 1: I was saved, just again such a full circle moment 727 00:35:47,080 --> 00:35:49,480 Speaker 1: to kind of take that day back for myself of like, yeah, 728 00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:51,799 Speaker 1: it was a really traumatic and hard day that changed 729 00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:53,719 Speaker 1: my life forever. But also now two years later, like 730 00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:56,400 Speaker 1: I'm representing walking a runway, like it was such a 731 00:35:56,440 --> 00:35:59,719 Speaker 1: message there that felt really cool and it was really 732 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:01,399 Speaker 1: fun and I was really nervous, and then you get 733 00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:02,719 Speaker 1: out there and you have a lot of fun and 734 00:36:03,880 --> 00:36:06,440 Speaker 1: I think it's been cool. I had it walking down 735 00:36:06,440 --> 00:36:08,719 Speaker 1: the shops we say opening ceremonies, and then again on 736 00:36:08,719 --> 00:36:11,799 Speaker 1: that runway, these moments where I'm like flashing back to 737 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:15,000 Speaker 1: learning to walk and feeling like that was such a 738 00:36:15,080 --> 00:36:19,160 Speaker 1: challenge to overcome, and feeling all the fear and the 739 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:22,120 Speaker 1: pain and the worry and the doubt that went into 740 00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:24,479 Speaker 1: those first steps to then like kind of be like okay, 741 00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:26,160 Speaker 1: a year and two years later, these are where I'm 742 00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,680 Speaker 1: walking like was a really really cool thing. 743 00:36:28,719 --> 00:36:52,120 Speaker 2: Also, so many people make an effort to be comfortable 744 00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:57,880 Speaker 2: after trauma, right, and you chose a high performance sport. 745 00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:03,640 Speaker 2: So what what would you say is the value in 746 00:37:03,640 --> 00:37:09,040 Speaker 2: intentionally seeking out discomfort as a way to process, as 747 00:37:09,080 --> 00:37:13,120 Speaker 2: a way to build this resilience. You're not just swimming, 748 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:18,799 Speaker 2: You're running a marathon, you're doing sports illustrated simsuit, you're 749 00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:20,440 Speaker 2: shooting your first Nike campaign. 750 00:37:20,840 --> 00:37:23,280 Speaker 3: This is a lot to handle for anyone. 751 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:27,520 Speaker 2: Nevertheless, someone who is actively every day waking up and 752 00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:30,520 Speaker 2: choosing to move through their trauma. 753 00:37:31,239 --> 00:37:31,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's interesting. 754 00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:34,359 Speaker 1: I guess I never have really thought about like intentionally 755 00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:40,760 Speaker 1: seeking discomfort. But I think I have always enjoyed being busy. 756 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:44,280 Speaker 1: I have always enjoyed pushing myself to see what's possible. 757 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:47,600 Speaker 1: I love the feeling of like going to some practice 758 00:37:47,640 --> 00:37:49,239 Speaker 1: and working really hard and leaving and being like I'm 759 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:52,080 Speaker 1: drying to I have nothing left. Like, I enjoy that. 760 00:37:53,120 --> 00:37:55,680 Speaker 1: I find so much strength in it. I find confidence 761 00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:58,759 Speaker 1: in it, I find power in it. And I think 762 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:01,000 Speaker 1: coming out of the attack, it was a way to 763 00:38:01,000 --> 00:38:03,439 Speaker 1: show myself like you still have that that is still 764 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:05,720 Speaker 1: a possibility for you in a moment and a season 765 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:09,520 Speaker 1: of so much doubt and fear about my future, to 766 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:11,480 Speaker 1: be able to make those choices to say, like, these 767 00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:13,840 Speaker 1: are things you love that you can get back to 768 00:38:13,960 --> 00:38:16,919 Speaker 1: and are getting back to, I think was more where 769 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:19,319 Speaker 1: my head was at. But I do think you know, 770 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:21,839 Speaker 1: every choice you make that puts you in an uncomfortable 771 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:25,480 Speaker 1: position is something that you're getting through, that you're overcoming. 772 00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:27,759 Speaker 1: That's a small success that or a big one that 773 00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:30,640 Speaker 1: builds right, that gives you the confidence to say, Okay, 774 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:33,279 Speaker 1: I faced something really hard and I got back up 775 00:38:33,400 --> 00:38:35,040 Speaker 1: or I got through it, you know. 776 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:36,120 Speaker 3: Coupled with that, there. 777 00:38:36,040 --> 00:38:40,440 Speaker 1: Is I had this concept I feel like maybe before 778 00:38:40,480 --> 00:38:43,840 Speaker 1: the attack, that I needed to wait until everything was 779 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:46,399 Speaker 1: like healed and good to then kind of like move 780 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:48,759 Speaker 1: on and help someone else or whatever that looks like, 781 00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:51,160 Speaker 1: get back up and try again. And I think these 782 00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:53,160 Speaker 1: past few years has been a learning for me of 783 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:56,320 Speaker 1: like I can do all of that in the mess 784 00:38:56,440 --> 00:38:59,399 Speaker 1: of whatever's happening right now, Like while I'm healing, while 785 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:02,560 Speaker 1: I'm learning, will I'm growing, I can give to others. 786 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:04,719 Speaker 1: I can push my body and achieve more than I 787 00:39:04,800 --> 00:39:07,640 Speaker 1: thought possible. And So I think that as I think 788 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:10,799 Speaker 1: about like intentionally seeking discomfort, I don't know that that's 789 00:39:10,840 --> 00:39:12,640 Speaker 1: how my mind thinks about it, but I think the 790 00:39:12,719 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 1: approach of like my life at times is uncomfortable and 791 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:20,319 Speaker 1: new and hard, and it's this place that's giving me 792 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:23,560 Speaker 1: kind of that confidence, that resilience, that belief that hope 793 00:39:23,960 --> 00:39:26,960 Speaker 1: through kind of those opportunities, or through pushing myself and 794 00:39:27,000 --> 00:39:28,879 Speaker 1: swimming or the marathon or whatever. 795 00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:32,319 Speaker 3: That may be. You're twenty five, you're living in New 796 00:39:32,400 --> 00:39:32,880 Speaker 3: York City. 797 00:39:34,680 --> 00:39:36,440 Speaker 2: The things I was doing at twenty five when I 798 00:39:36,480 --> 00:39:38,439 Speaker 2: was living in New York City are very different than the. 799 00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:40,160 Speaker 3: Things that you may be doing. 800 00:39:40,200 --> 00:39:42,680 Speaker 2: Do you feel as though you get to be a 801 00:39:42,760 --> 00:39:44,879 Speaker 2: twenty five year old girl living in New York City 802 00:39:44,920 --> 00:39:46,959 Speaker 2: and doing all the things I do? 803 00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:49,240 Speaker 3: I think it's so fun. Yeah. 804 00:39:49,280 --> 00:39:51,439 Speaker 1: My brothers live like three blocks away from me, which 805 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:53,719 Speaker 1: is really nice of them, two of them, yeah, one 806 00:39:53,719 --> 00:39:56,560 Speaker 1: of them still in college, but that's super fun and special. 807 00:39:56,640 --> 00:39:58,880 Speaker 1: And then there's just so many of my friends in 808 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:01,000 Speaker 1: New York City that I think that's so fun, Especially 809 00:40:01,040 --> 00:40:02,960 Speaker 1: coming out of college where you're like literally two minutes 810 00:40:02,960 --> 00:40:04,960 Speaker 1: from everyone, it's nice to be able to see so 811 00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:05,640 Speaker 1: many people. 812 00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:08,040 Speaker 2: And growing up in Connecticut, you always envisioned that you'd 813 00:40:08,040 --> 00:40:09,480 Speaker 2: moved to New York after college. 814 00:40:09,719 --> 00:40:12,000 Speaker 3: I didn't really have a plan. I grew up in Connecticut. 815 00:40:12,040 --> 00:40:14,279 Speaker 2: I always in really, yes, I always thought that I'd 816 00:40:14,280 --> 00:40:15,920 Speaker 2: moved to New York after college. It was like New 817 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:18,080 Speaker 2: York or Boston, and New York's just so much cooler 818 00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:21,759 Speaker 2: and no offense anyone that was But yeah. 819 00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:24,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think I in college kind of thought that 820 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:26,400 Speaker 1: was where I wanted to go next, and just with 821 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:28,919 Speaker 1: work and everything, that's where I ended up going. And 822 00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:30,919 Speaker 1: it's so fun. There's so much to do in New York. 823 00:40:31,040 --> 00:40:31,480 Speaker 3: It's nice. 824 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:35,720 Speaker 1: It definitely like takes thought, yeah, right, amidst being busy 825 00:40:35,719 --> 00:40:37,160 Speaker 1: with a lot of different things. But I think that's 826 00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:40,080 Speaker 1: everyone's life. Like you do prioritize family time, you do 827 00:40:40,120 --> 00:40:42,439 Speaker 1: prioritize friend time. I know for me that like being 828 00:40:42,440 --> 00:40:44,719 Speaker 1: able to do those fun twenty five year old things 829 00:40:44,719 --> 00:40:47,000 Speaker 1: in New York City is something that feeds me, that 830 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:50,400 Speaker 1: relaxes me, that enables me to go be the best athlete. 831 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:52,840 Speaker 1: I can be, advocate, I can be speak or whatever 832 00:40:52,880 --> 00:40:55,000 Speaker 1: that is. Yeah, it's important to have that time. So 833 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:56,759 Speaker 1: I do think I've gotten it, but it takes thought 834 00:40:56,760 --> 00:41:00,200 Speaker 1: and effort and making it a priority to so. 835 00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:03,080 Speaker 2: Coming hand in hand with being a twenty five in 836 00:41:03,080 --> 00:41:05,600 Speaker 2: New York City is meeting a lot of people, right, 837 00:41:05,800 --> 00:41:08,600 Speaker 2: some of my closest friends now I've met in this 838 00:41:08,680 --> 00:41:10,480 Speaker 2: chapter of my life, and you know, I've been in 839 00:41:10,480 --> 00:41:13,399 Speaker 2: New York for fifteen years. But getting to know them, 840 00:41:13,480 --> 00:41:17,279 Speaker 2: is there this added layer that you bring when you 841 00:41:17,360 --> 00:41:20,439 Speaker 2: tell them about your experience and being an amputee, does 842 00:41:20,440 --> 00:41:21,839 Speaker 2: that bring up feelings for you. 843 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:25,640 Speaker 1: It doesn't bring up feelings in terms of like my 844 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:29,439 Speaker 1: own how I feel about saying I'm an amputee or 845 00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:33,520 Speaker 1: kind of saying a shark attack, but it is something 846 00:41:33,560 --> 00:41:36,360 Speaker 1: that like, especially at the beginning, I was really nervous. 847 00:41:36,600 --> 00:41:39,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, for I think it was a cool. 848 00:41:38,840 --> 00:41:42,120 Speaker 1: Thing to learn that, like, and obviously like there's your 849 00:41:42,120 --> 00:41:44,080 Speaker 1: one offs that don't call it this way, But for 850 00:41:44,120 --> 00:41:46,879 Speaker 1: the most part, it was built up in my head 851 00:41:46,920 --> 00:41:50,520 Speaker 1: to be something bigger than it was, and the message 852 00:41:50,520 --> 00:41:53,080 Speaker 1: that I've learned overall, Like I was even scared for 853 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,279 Speaker 1: my friends to see me crouching on one foot or 854 00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:59,720 Speaker 1: in a prosthetic and in your head, you you, I 855 00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:02,799 Speaker 1: built it up to be this big thing, and in reality, 856 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:06,200 Speaker 1: what I learned was like my friend's family love me 857 00:42:06,280 --> 00:42:08,560 Speaker 1: for my heart and my mind and who I am 858 00:42:08,600 --> 00:42:10,520 Speaker 1: and how I go through this world and not my 859 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:13,760 Speaker 1: left foot. Yeah, and it took time to learn that 860 00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:17,200 Speaker 1: they taught me that, but it has helped as I 861 00:42:17,239 --> 00:42:18,760 Speaker 1: make new friends and meet new people. 862 00:42:18,880 --> 00:42:19,240 Speaker 3: Now. 863 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:21,600 Speaker 1: I mean, it's not something that I like upfront say like, Hi, 864 00:42:21,600 --> 00:42:23,560 Speaker 1: I'm an amputee, like that's a part of who I am, 865 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:26,719 Speaker 1: but it's right like or all of me. But I 866 00:42:26,760 --> 00:42:30,879 Speaker 1: think it's helped me feel less nervous, less scared about 867 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:34,360 Speaker 1: a response to kind of share in that way, because 868 00:42:34,400 --> 00:42:36,960 Speaker 1: I'm like, okay, but there's so much else about me 869 00:42:37,120 --> 00:42:40,480 Speaker 1: that would make someone, you know, if they wanted to 870 00:42:40,520 --> 00:42:42,160 Speaker 1: be my friend, that they would look for that's not 871 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:43,880 Speaker 1: just like is she an amputee or not? Because I 872 00:42:43,880 --> 00:42:45,799 Speaker 1: think that's what it really was grounded in. Was for 873 00:42:45,840 --> 00:42:48,799 Speaker 1: some reason in my head, how big it felt. And 874 00:42:48,840 --> 00:42:51,840 Speaker 1: now you're like, I'm an amputee and you wear glasses 875 00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:54,960 Speaker 1: and you right, like everyone has something different that that 876 00:42:55,040 --> 00:42:57,440 Speaker 1: it felt less scary to kind of introduce. 877 00:42:57,160 --> 00:43:00,319 Speaker 2: You mentioned unless there's a one off. Do you expects 878 00:43:00,360 --> 00:43:01,640 Speaker 2: a lot of one off? So I would hope not 879 00:43:02,200 --> 00:43:07,160 Speaker 2: like people like being rude or no good. Yeah, yeah, 880 00:43:07,320 --> 00:43:10,120 Speaker 2: I hope not like that. Oh people, because people can. 881 00:43:10,360 --> 00:43:12,520 Speaker 2: I mean I feel like probably more so on the internet, 882 00:43:12,520 --> 00:43:13,960 Speaker 2: when people don't have to show your face to the 883 00:43:14,960 --> 00:43:17,759 Speaker 2: it's a bad place. It's a very bad place. It's 884 00:43:17,760 --> 00:43:19,879 Speaker 2: a very bad place. As we start to wind down 885 00:43:19,960 --> 00:43:23,799 Speaker 2: here right now, someone goes to your Instagram page and 886 00:43:23,840 --> 00:43:28,440 Speaker 2: they see this Paralympic medalist, they see an advocate, someone 887 00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:32,120 Speaker 2: who really wants to show people that they too can 888 00:43:32,239 --> 00:43:35,560 Speaker 2: be strong. When you look in the mirror, though, Alli, 889 00:43:35,719 --> 00:43:37,960 Speaker 2: what is it that you see looking back at you? 890 00:43:39,640 --> 00:43:44,040 Speaker 1: When I look in the mirror, I see someone who 891 00:43:44,239 --> 00:43:51,399 Speaker 1: has worked to find hope enjoy after hardship. I see 892 00:43:51,440 --> 00:43:53,680 Speaker 1: someone who has put in so much work to make 893 00:43:53,960 --> 00:43:58,239 Speaker 1: lemons out of lemonade and work to give herself grace. 894 00:43:58,320 --> 00:44:00,840 Speaker 1: Is she navigates a really bumpy of recovery. 895 00:44:01,080 --> 00:44:05,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, and on that road to recovery, what would you 896 00:44:05,719 --> 00:44:08,160 Speaker 2: say right now you're most excited about. 897 00:44:08,160 --> 00:44:09,719 Speaker 3: Did I read that you're going to go to business school? 898 00:44:09,719 --> 00:44:11,440 Speaker 3: I am going to business school. Talk to me about that. 899 00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:13,120 Speaker 3: I'm really excited for it. Yeah. 900 00:44:13,520 --> 00:44:18,400 Speaker 1: I applied my senior spring for like a deferred enrollment 901 00:44:18,920 --> 00:44:22,560 Speaker 1: and an interviewed actually right after the attack, and then 902 00:44:22,880 --> 00:44:25,960 Speaker 1: I will be starting next fall in business school. I'm 903 00:44:26,160 --> 00:44:28,719 Speaker 1: really excited. I think you know, who knows where I 904 00:44:28,760 --> 00:44:31,480 Speaker 1: pivot to after that. But even as for the nonprofit, 905 00:44:31,840 --> 00:44:34,719 Speaker 1: as a founder and someone running the nonprofit, I think 906 00:44:34,760 --> 00:44:36,919 Speaker 1: it's going to be really invaluable to get a lot 907 00:44:36,920 --> 00:44:39,479 Speaker 1: of those skills, you know, coming from a liberal arts college, 908 00:44:39,560 --> 00:44:41,359 Speaker 1: especially to get a lot of those business skills. I'm 909 00:44:41,360 --> 00:44:44,279 Speaker 1: excited for and I love school, so I'm actually super 910 00:44:44,280 --> 00:44:46,080 Speaker 1: stoked to go back to like classes learning. 911 00:44:46,360 --> 00:44:48,439 Speaker 2: I love to go back to classes to learning. And 912 00:44:48,840 --> 00:44:51,160 Speaker 2: this is like a year and a half. I'm like 913 00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:52,920 Speaker 2: doing the math and I head like a year and 914 00:44:52,960 --> 00:44:55,719 Speaker 2: a half, two years out from LA twenty eight. 915 00:44:56,000 --> 00:44:58,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I will graduate and then a month later 916 00:44:58,920 --> 00:45:01,200 Speaker 1: I will have Paralympic try for early twenty twenty eight. 917 00:45:01,239 --> 00:45:01,759 Speaker 3: No big deal. 918 00:45:02,840 --> 00:45:07,040 Speaker 2: Shuffling and balancing, absolutely nothing. But again, it seems like 919 00:45:07,080 --> 00:45:08,840 Speaker 2: that's the kind of environment that you thrive on. It 920 00:45:10,960 --> 00:45:13,400 Speaker 2: feels good to me. The last thing I want to 921 00:45:13,400 --> 00:45:16,520 Speaker 2: touch on here again is your support system. I do 922 00:45:16,560 --> 00:45:19,520 Speaker 2: think that it is such a beautiful thing, as you 923 00:45:19,520 --> 00:45:22,040 Speaker 2: talked about at the beginning of this, the opportunity to 924 00:45:22,120 --> 00:45:24,200 Speaker 2: really lean into your relationships. 925 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:25,680 Speaker 3: They've showed up for you so much. 926 00:45:26,120 --> 00:45:29,640 Speaker 2: When you think about your relationships, talk to me a 927 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:31,799 Speaker 2: little bit about what they mean to you. 928 00:45:32,600 --> 00:45:35,200 Speaker 1: When I think about my relationships, I'm filled with like 929 00:45:35,440 --> 00:45:40,080 Speaker 1: overwhelming gratitude. I feel like I am just so lucky 930 00:45:40,120 --> 00:45:44,960 Speaker 1: for the most incredible, incredible support system. It's really taught 931 00:45:45,000 --> 00:45:47,520 Speaker 1: me who I want to be to other people, how 932 00:45:47,600 --> 00:45:50,759 Speaker 1: I want to show up for others. The power of 933 00:45:50,800 --> 00:45:53,439 Speaker 1: the ways that they have time and time again showed 934 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:55,120 Speaker 1: up for me in the small moments, in the big 935 00:45:55,160 --> 00:45:58,480 Speaker 1: moments is irreplaceable and is such a lesson to me 936 00:45:58,719 --> 00:46:01,800 Speaker 1: about what that holds, that does, what a difference maker 937 00:46:01,840 --> 00:46:04,160 Speaker 1: it is. And actually for me, it's so exciting to 938 00:46:04,200 --> 00:46:05,879 Speaker 1: be like, we all have the power to do that, right, 939 00:46:05,960 --> 00:46:08,360 Speaker 1: Like the support we can give to someone else is 940 00:46:08,400 --> 00:46:10,759 Speaker 1: such a game changer, and we control that. 941 00:46:10,920 --> 00:46:12,240 Speaker 3: I think that's so cool. 942 00:46:12,640 --> 00:46:16,040 Speaker 1: But honestly, like so many friends and family, I'm just 943 00:46:16,280 --> 00:46:20,439 Speaker 1: incredibly lucky to have. And truly, when I think about 944 00:46:20,480 --> 00:46:22,799 Speaker 1: what took me from like the lowest low in my 945 00:46:22,880 --> 00:46:25,680 Speaker 1: life to the podium at the Paralympics to crossing the 946 00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:28,120 Speaker 1: marathon finish line, Yes, there was a lot of internal 947 00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:30,560 Speaker 1: strength and work that I put in, but the support 948 00:46:30,600 --> 00:46:34,400 Speaker 1: around me. Every time my confidence faltered, which happens, they 949 00:46:34,440 --> 00:46:36,319 Speaker 1: were there to pick it right back up and to 950 00:46:36,440 --> 00:46:39,080 Speaker 1: be hand in hand going with me forward. And I 951 00:46:39,120 --> 00:46:41,400 Speaker 1: think or sitting and crying on a couch right like 952 00:46:41,440 --> 00:46:43,520 Speaker 1: wherever I was, they were meeting me and. 953 00:46:43,480 --> 00:46:44,600 Speaker 3: Helping me reset. 954 00:46:44,680 --> 00:46:47,839 Speaker 1: And it's something that like for me, when I think 955 00:46:47,840 --> 00:46:49,439 Speaker 1: about the biggest blessings in my life. 956 00:46:49,480 --> 00:46:51,160 Speaker 3: I'm like, my friends and family are at the top 957 00:46:51,200 --> 00:46:51,840 Speaker 3: of that list. 958 00:46:52,160 --> 00:46:56,359 Speaker 1: Community really is so important, and like I think about 959 00:46:56,360 --> 00:46:58,799 Speaker 1: my journey as a testament to the power of community 960 00:46:58,800 --> 00:46:59,320 Speaker 1: and support. 961 00:47:00,320 --> 00:47:04,080 Speaker 2: I think you highlighted something that's very important, which is 962 00:47:04,440 --> 00:47:06,799 Speaker 2: it could be like talking me through something, or it 963 00:47:06,800 --> 00:47:09,040 Speaker 2: could be literally sitting on the couch next to me 964 00:47:09,120 --> 00:47:13,480 Speaker 2: and crying. You must have learned so much about the 965 00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:18,319 Speaker 2: different shapes that support and friendship and relationships can take. 966 00:47:18,400 --> 00:47:21,359 Speaker 2: And it's hard because you also have to balance and 967 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:24,200 Speaker 2: deal with how people want to show up for you 968 00:47:24,760 --> 00:47:26,680 Speaker 2: versus what you really need. 969 00:47:26,880 --> 00:47:30,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, what I've learned, I would say two things. The 970 00:47:30,680 --> 00:47:32,920 Speaker 1: first thing is like, even if people are showing up 971 00:47:32,960 --> 00:47:34,879 Speaker 1: maybe in a way that's different than what you need, 972 00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:36,600 Speaker 1: at the bottom of that is someone who's. 973 00:47:36,400 --> 00:47:38,640 Speaker 3: There for you, trying to support you. That's very much. 974 00:47:38,719 --> 00:47:38,759 Speaker 1: So. 975 00:47:38,880 --> 00:47:40,080 Speaker 3: Yes, maybe they phrase. 976 00:47:39,840 --> 00:47:42,880 Speaker 1: Something the way you didn't like, maybe they did something 977 00:47:42,920 --> 00:47:44,880 Speaker 1: that you found something else might have been more helpful, 978 00:47:44,880 --> 00:47:47,319 Speaker 1: and you can definitely communicate some of that. But like 979 00:47:47,400 --> 00:47:48,839 Speaker 1: for me, I'm looking at that and I'm like, that's 980 00:47:48,880 --> 00:47:51,120 Speaker 1: someone who has given up their time, their energy, their effort, 981 00:47:51,160 --> 00:47:53,120 Speaker 1: their thought to be there and support me. Whether it 982 00:47:53,200 --> 00:47:56,280 Speaker 1: was in the perfect way or not. But also coupled 983 00:47:56,280 --> 00:47:59,879 Speaker 1: with that, I think what I've realized is before these 984 00:48:00,000 --> 00:48:02,920 Speaker 1: two years, as someone who was typically on the other side, 985 00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:05,760 Speaker 1: like obviously, there were moments where I supporter, Yes, the supporter. 986 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:07,560 Speaker 3: It's so easy to. 987 00:48:07,520 --> 00:48:10,080 Speaker 1: Worry am I giving the right form of support? Do 988 00:48:10,200 --> 00:48:13,239 Speaker 1: they want a text? And I called is it too 989 00:48:13,320 --> 00:48:16,640 Speaker 1: late right now? Like I didn't support in time? Is 990 00:48:16,680 --> 00:48:18,879 Speaker 1: it too small? Like there's so many things you worry 991 00:48:18,880 --> 00:48:21,399 Speaker 1: about when you're supporting someone in the shapes and forms 992 00:48:21,440 --> 00:48:24,719 Speaker 1: that you're supporting them, and being on the other side now, 993 00:48:24,760 --> 00:48:26,920 Speaker 1: I'm like, I just kind of believe there really is 994 00:48:26,960 --> 00:48:29,600 Speaker 1: no wrong form of support, Like whatever you have to give, 995 00:48:29,680 --> 00:48:32,400 Speaker 1: whenever you have to give, it matters and moves the 996 00:48:32,440 --> 00:48:35,919 Speaker 1: person forward. Obviously we have those worries, but I think 997 00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:39,360 Speaker 1: for me, it's like I'm hopeful that that doesn't stop 998 00:48:39,920 --> 00:48:43,360 Speaker 1: me from offering what I do have because at the 999 00:48:43,400 --> 00:48:46,000 Speaker 1: bottom of it, like I said, is someone showing up 1000 00:48:46,040 --> 00:48:48,799 Speaker 1: for you to give what they have to help you? 1001 00:48:49,160 --> 00:48:49,640 Speaker 3: Yeah? 1002 00:48:49,719 --> 00:48:52,680 Speaker 2: Man, Again, there are so many things that if I 1003 00:48:52,840 --> 00:48:55,840 Speaker 2: had these perspectives, these insights at twenty five, I wonder 1004 00:48:55,840 --> 00:48:59,359 Speaker 2: who I'd be now. But that in particular, I think 1005 00:48:59,400 --> 00:49:01,919 Speaker 2: is just such a beautiful and important takeaway and something 1006 00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:04,880 Speaker 2: that a lot of people struggle with, so really beautiful 1007 00:49:04,920 --> 00:49:08,320 Speaker 2: to shine a light on it. Right now, Ali, before 1008 00:49:08,320 --> 00:49:10,680 Speaker 2: you leave, you have the opportunity to offer yourself a 1009 00:49:10,719 --> 00:49:12,799 Speaker 2: piece of advice. I want to bring you back to 1010 00:49:12,880 --> 00:49:16,600 Speaker 2: when you know, walking was questionable, getting in the water 1011 00:49:16,760 --> 00:49:21,239 Speaker 2: was definitely questionable. You had so much fear surrounding some 1012 00:49:21,320 --> 00:49:23,800 Speaker 2: of the things that at one point, in your words, 1013 00:49:23,800 --> 00:49:26,600 Speaker 2: you maybe even took for granted. Right knowing what you 1014 00:49:26,800 --> 00:49:30,480 Speaker 2: know now, what advice would you offer yourself in the 1015 00:49:30,560 --> 00:49:32,640 Speaker 2: post shark attack hurdle moment? 1016 00:49:34,520 --> 00:49:36,680 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm still learning, you know, I'm two years 1017 00:49:36,680 --> 00:49:39,000 Speaker 1: into being an amputee, But I think I would say, 1018 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:43,640 Speaker 1: you know, to anyone, including myself, facing hardship, trauma, challenge, 1019 00:49:44,520 --> 00:49:48,200 Speaker 1: that you will overcome what you're facing, even though it 1020 00:49:48,280 --> 00:49:51,960 Speaker 1: might feel like you won't. We are stronger than we think, 1021 00:49:52,080 --> 00:49:55,160 Speaker 1: we have more in us, and you can go through 1022 00:49:55,160 --> 00:49:58,080 Speaker 1: the icans and the I won't send I'll never, but 1023 00:49:58,280 --> 00:50:01,520 Speaker 1: just know that you can and you will. There is 1024 00:50:01,520 --> 00:50:04,439 Speaker 1: a beautiful future ahead. And I would probably also add, 1025 00:50:04,440 --> 00:50:08,240 Speaker 1: as you mentioned, you know, especially in those early weeks 1026 00:50:08,239 --> 00:50:14,280 Speaker 1: and months post the shark attack, so really really emotional time, 1027 00:50:14,840 --> 00:50:18,600 Speaker 1: and for me, what was so helpful was to remind myself, 1028 00:50:18,880 --> 00:50:22,400 Speaker 1: or to get the reminder that our fears and our 1029 00:50:22,440 --> 00:50:23,960 Speaker 1: feelings are not facts. 1030 00:50:25,960 --> 00:50:31,759 Speaker 2: That is, everything so much happens in your mind, so 1031 00:50:32,040 --> 00:50:35,120 Speaker 2: much in the day to day. We talked about the 1032 00:50:35,120 --> 00:50:38,200 Speaker 2: majority of those negative thoughts right that we experience on 1033 00:50:38,239 --> 00:50:41,680 Speaker 2: the regular. Being able to distinguish what you just said 1034 00:50:42,480 --> 00:50:46,360 Speaker 2: is something that is such a game changer for so 1035 00:50:46,440 --> 00:50:50,680 Speaker 2: many yourself myself included Ali Truett. For those that aren't 1036 00:50:50,680 --> 00:50:53,280 Speaker 2: following along with you just yet, give us the details. 1037 00:50:53,280 --> 00:50:54,680 Speaker 2: How do we keep up with you on the socials? 1038 00:50:54,880 --> 00:50:58,320 Speaker 1: I'm on Instagram at at Ali Truett, and my nonprofit 1039 00:50:58,400 --> 00:51:00,680 Speaker 1: is on Instagram at at Stronger Than You Think. 1040 00:51:00,600 --> 00:51:03,600 Speaker 2: Beautiful, I'm over at Emily Body and at Hurdle Podcast 1041 00:51:03,880 --> 00:51:05,320 Speaker 2: Another Hurdle Conquered. 1042 00:51:05,640 --> 00:51:06,640 Speaker 3: Catch you guys next time.