Swimming Against the Tide with Athlete Turned Advocate, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell

Jun 3, 2024

Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, a groundbreaking swimmer for Kenya and Team GB and an eloquent advocate for equality, shares her transformative journey from elite athlete to filmmaker and champion for underrepresented youth. In a candid conversation with journalist Ruchira Sharma, they explore the challenges of identity and the emotional toll of competition. Rebecca discusses her decision to leave swimming before the Olympics and her passion for creating opportunities for young talent through the 10,000 Interns Foundation, highlighting the importance of mental health and inclusivity.

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ANECDOTE

Early Swimming Experiences

Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell learned to swim in Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean as a child.
She later trained in South Africa and the UK, spending years traveling for competitions.

INSIGHT

Complexities of Early Success

At 15, Ajulu-Bushell was the world number one in 50m swimming but didn't fully celebrate due to pressure.
She felt internal joy but also fear and scrutiny as a Black female athlete.

INSIGHT

Body Image and Racialization

Ajulu-Bushell discusses the complexities of body image as a young, Black female athlete.
She highlights the othering narratives in the press that scrutinized her beyond her athletic ability.

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In a competitive field defined by record breakers, medals and podium places, being first in sport is often considered the primary marker of success but being out in front can also be a lonely experience. In her new memoir, These Heavy Black Bones, former swimmer for both Kenya and Team GB, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, tells a story of ecstatic professional highs and alienating personal lows. She is a former world number one athlete who became the first Black woman to represent Great Britain in swimming but who also chose to walk away from the sport shortly before the 2012 Olympics. Since then her achievements have been no less remarkable. She's a filmmaker, an award-winning essayist and heads up the 10,000 Interns Foundation, which helps young people from underrepresented communities get their start. Joining her in conversation for this episode is journalist and podcaster Ruchira Sharma, who is host of the Anatomy of a Stalker and Everything is Content podcasts, and writes for The Guardian, the BBC, GQ and more.

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