How To Fail With Elizabeth Day cover image

How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Ellie Simmonds - Being different is a superpower.

Aug 28, 2024
Ellie Simmonds, a five-time Gold Medal-winning Paralympic swimmer, reflects on her impressive journey, including winning her first gold at just 13. She candidly discusses the pressure she places on herself and her struggles with sleep. Growing up in an adoptive family that embraced differences shaped her identity and resilience. Ellie emphasizes the need for better education around disability and shares how travel helped her cope with anxiety. Her story is a powerful testament to embracing uniqueness as a superpower.
45:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ellie Simmonds emphasizes the importance of accepting failure as a vital step in personal growth and self-discovery.
  • She advocates for increased visibility and representation of individuals with disabilities in media to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity.

Deep dives

The Journey of Ellie Simmons

Ellie Simmons, a Paralympic gold medalist, began her swimming journey at a young age, showcasing extraordinary talent and discipline. Growing up in a family that celebrated differences, she was supported in her pursuits, which facilitated her rise to success in competitive swimming. By the time she was just 13, Simmons had won two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics, an experience she describes as initially surreal and pressure-free due to her youth. This early achievement laid the foundation for her illustrious career, where she eventually garnered a total of five gold Paralympic medals and numerous world records, becoming a role model for young athletes with disabilities.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode