posted September 09, 2004 12:04 PM         

I'm a World Champion Marathon Swimmer. I've swum in oceans and rivers around the world, won gold medals for Australia . I dreamt I would at 5 years old!

This dream saw me gain 7 World Championship Titles, 15 World Race Records and still hold the World record for the Round Manhattan Island Race (won outright 5 times). Yet to me the greatest marathon I choose to be in every day is life - choosing to live it to its best no matter what, every day!

People have told me that I typify sheer Aussie 'guts', spirit & determination. Yet I've always simply considered myself to be an ordinary Australian who has achieved extraordinary results.

But they knew that I suffered many set backs to win. Adversity almost became my calling card. I was nicknamed 'Dangerous When Wet' - actually I was dangerous when dry too! But I did achieve some of my greatest goals when faced with hardships to overcome. Adversity stops many mid-flow, I Iearned that by using the Power of my own mind I could create my Champion MindsetT and overcome anything no matter what.

It started with severe teenage scoliosis putting me in a back brace - I was told I'd never be able to swim and win. I said "Stuff it!" and swam anyway, I even started to win. Then my father died when I was 15. I fell deep in the deep end, my dreams sank.

Over the next 4 years I drank, smoked, and had 6 near fatal car crashes. The last one forced me back into the pool and I HATED it! Then I started to feel how wonderful it was to swim. to feel the power of your own body moving fluidly, rhythmically, powerfully cutting through the water. I wanted to swim again.

I won an American college scholarship, but rugged training forced me into a wheelchair overnight with lower body paralysis. Doctors told me I would be lucky to walk again, but I knew I could achieve my childhood dreams no matter what anyone told me! I would swim marathons, cross finishing lines in front of all swimmers, get gold for Australia and WIN!... In recovery I discovered that marathon swimming didn't involve excruciatingly painful tumble turns - I learnt a new way to walk and a new distance to swim!

Other adversity struck over the years - a broken marriage saddened my heart, illnesses from filthy waterways swum in for Australia , Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), even diagnosis of death bombarded my body - but I knew I could focus & re-focus my mind no matter what.

These days I share my experiences openly with audiences from 1 to 5,000 at a time. I work with individuals, corporations, families, charities, kids. In creating their Champion MindsetT many have overcome adversity themselves: sufferers of CFS, other debilitating illnesses and accidents; personal, family and financial hardships; the loss of loved ones; day to day ups and downs.

Each of us feels our own adversities in many forms and only we can choose how they affect us. Sharing stories empowers others to live their dreams, to dive into the deep and swim. The key to keeping your head above water is to know that you have the Power to do so! Situations are only as adverse as you allow yourself to see them. You have choices.

You can choose to get 'stuck' in them, worry about them, feel that you're stuck in the mud and it's hard to get out. Or.
You can choose to focus on the best you have in your life!
Find your passion! Find one thing that you enjoy, one thing you love, one thing you believe in, one time when you felt on top of the world. This is your Champion Moment to focus on and smile at when ever things really get you down. This one moment can revitalise your body, your spirit and boost your mind to know it has the power to dream.

Dream about what you want rather than worry about what you don't have / want not. Our mind can allow us to panic in adversity or give us strength to overcome, to be the best we can be - the choice is up to you. So choose now to be a Champion in Your World.

And as my Dad always said, remember: "if you don't quit, you will make it!"

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Respected Motivational Keynote Speaker, TV Presenter, International Best-Selling Author, Champion Mindset™ Business Trainer and Success Coach, Shelley Taylor-Smith has proven ordinary Australians can achieve extraordinary results. 7 time World Champion creating Champion Mindsets with Taylor-Made Solutions! See www.championmindset.com.au

©Champion Mindset Consulting 2004

posted September 10, 2004 11:36 AM         

Solane Star!