hi guys my name is Rick Pendleton as you heard I’m a a coach here at Bridgman
heard I’m a a coach here at Bridgman
heard I’m a a coach here at Bridgman grammar boy school I’m fortunate to be
grammar boy school I’m fortunate to be
grammar boy school I’m fortunate to be working in one of the premier swingin
working in one of the premier swingin
working in one of the premier swingin clubs in Queensland it’s not Australian
clubs in Queensland it’s not Australian
clubs in Queensland it’s not Australian and other guidance are some of the
and other guidance are some of the
and other guidance are some of the country’s best coaches I suppose one of
country’s best coaches I suppose one of
country’s best coaches I suppose one of the reasons that I’ve got this position
the reasons that I’ve got this position
the reasons that I’ve got this position and what I would attribute is one of my
and what I would attribute is one of my
and what I would attribute is one of my strengths as a swimming coach is my
strengths as a swimming coach is my
strengths as a swimming coach is my passion for the water now as human
passion for the water now as human
passion for the water now as human beings we are born with two very big
beings we are born with two very big
beings we are born with two very big very large very powerful legs maybe not
very large very powerful legs maybe not
very large very powerful legs maybe not in my instance and it’s been you know
in my instance and it’s been you know
in my instance and it’s been you know it’s the reason that we can stand
it’s the reason that we can stand
it’s the reason that we can stand upright run fast and change direction at
upright run fast and change direction at
upright run fast and change direction at any given moment
any given moment
any given moment there’s probably pay a factor in our
there’s probably pay a factor in our
there’s probably pay a factor in our dominance as a species now when it comes
dominance as a species now when it comes
dominance as a species now when it comes to the water this couldn’t be less true
to the water this couldn’t be less true
to the water this couldn’t be less true water is 784 times more dense than air
water is 784 times more dense than air
water is 784 times more dense than air at sea level we were not meant for this
at sea level we were not meant for this
at sea level we were not meant for this medium it is not our natural environment
medium it is not our natural environment
medium it is not our natural environment we certainly weren’t meant to be able to
we certainly weren’t meant to be able to
we certainly weren’t meant to be able to move fast in it so I see the
move fast in it so I see the
move fast in it so I see the relationship that humans have with water
relationship that humans have with water
relationship that humans have with water there’s almost magical a form of moving
there’s almost magical a form of moving
there’s almost magical a form of moving artwork if you will and if you’ve ever
artwork if you will and if you’ve ever
artwork if you will and if you’ve ever seen an Olympic athlete race before you
seen an Olympic athlete race before you
seen an Olympic athlete race before you may understand what I’m talking about
may understand what I’m talking about
may understand what I’m talking about they seem to be able to just move
they seem to be able to just move
they seem to be able to just move through the water with such ease and
through the water with such ease and
through the water with such ease and speed
speed
speed you know such grace as a swim coach I
you know such grace as a swim coach I
you know such grace as a swim coach I find it so rewarding now that I can
find it so rewarding now that I can
find it so rewarding now that I can provide insight encouragement and
provide insight encouragement and
provide insight encouragement and training skills for people to be able to
training skills for people to be able to
training skills for people to be able to achieve this kind of purity my idea is
achieve this kind of purity my idea is
achieve this kind of purity my idea is about learning from trusting and
about learning from trusting and
about learning from trusting and believing in the power of your choices
believing in the power of your choices
believing in the power of your choices there you may can live successful or not
there you may can live successful or not
there you may can live successful or not my insight into this will come in the
my insight into this will come in the
my insight into this will come in the way of sports and growing up with a
way of sports and growing up with a
way of sports and growing up with a disability I will look at the process of
disability I will look at the process of
disability I will look at the process of making choices the mindset I believe
making choices the mindset I believe
making choices the mindset I believe should be associated with such things
should be associated with such things
should be associated with such things and finally dealing with the outcomes
and finally dealing with the outcomes
and finally dealing with the outcomes all with such a broad topic I mean where
all with such a broad topic I mean where
all with such a broad topic I mean where would we begin well the few definitions
would we begin well the few definitions
would we begin well the few definitions of intersection are the act or process
of intersection are the act or process
of intersection are the act or process of intersecting or a place or area with
of intersecting or a place or area with
of intersecting or a place or area with two more things intersect all right well
two more things intersect all right well
two more things intersect all right well what does intersect mean that can be
what does intersect mean that can be
what does intersect mean that can be defined as to pierce and divide by
defined as to pierce and divide by
defined as to pierce and divide by passing through
passing through
passing through or to meet and cross at a point all
or to meet and cross at a point all
or to meet and cross at a point all right didn’t realize this was an English
right didn’t realize this was an English
right didn’t realize this was an English lesson but but what does that mean I
lesson but but what does that mean I
lesson but but what does that mean I mean is this even relevant in today’s
mean is this even relevant in today’s
mean is this even relevant in today’s society and if so are you faced with it
society and if so are you faced with it
society and if so are you faced with it on a daily basis literally yes I mean
on a daily basis literally yes I mean
on a daily basis literally yes I mean I’m sure on your way in here today
I’m sure on your way in here today
I’m sure on your way in here today whether you’re traveling by car before
whether you’re traveling by car before
whether you’re traveling by car before you would have passed through an
you would have passed through an
you would have passed through an intersection but I don’t think that’s
intersection but I don’t think that’s
intersection but I don’t think that’s probably what we’re referring about so
probably what we’re referring about so
probably what we’re referring about so safe to assume they are talking about
safe to assume they are talking about
safe to assume they are talking about significant events and times in our
significant events and times in our
significant events and times in our lives where we are faced with the
lives where we are faced with the
lives where we are faced with the decision that could greatly impact
decision that could greatly impact
decision that could greatly impact altered the course of our life the first
altered the course of our life the first
altered the course of our life the first decision that I can recall making that
decision that I can recall making that
decision that I can recall making that was of any great significance came when
was of any great significance came when
was of any great significance came when I was in year 8 I started swimming when
I was in year 8 I started swimming when
I was in year 8 I started swimming when I was 10 years old when my school came
I was 10 years old when my school came
I was 10 years old when my school came up to me and asked me if I would compete
up to me and asked me if I would compete
up to me and asked me if I would compete for them at an upcoming regional
for them at an upcoming regional
for them at an upcoming regional championships in a multi-class event now
championships in a multi-class event now
championships in a multi-class event now as a young hyperactive boy I thought
as a young hyperactive boy I thought
as a young hyperactive boy I thought yeah sure why not I have a go and any
yeah sure why not I have a go and any
yeah sure why not I have a go and any opportunity to get out of a day school
opportunity to get out of a day school
opportunity to get out of a day school was a good idea to me so I went along
was a good idea to me so I went along
was a good idea to me so I went along and raced in you know I didn’t think too
and raced in you know I didn’t think too
and raced in you know I didn’t think too much of it
much of it
much of it a couple of weeks later them and I’m got
a couple of weeks later them and I’m got
a couple of weeks later them and I’m got a phone call from the school letting
a phone call from the school letting
a phone call from the school letting them know that actually achieved a state
them know that actually achieved a state
them know that actually achieved a state rep order that meet so you can see oh
rep order that meet so you can see oh
rep order that meet so you can see oh she was pretty keen on getting me in the
she was pretty keen on getting me in the
she was pretty keen on getting me in the water at that point did it take a few
water at that point did it take a few
water at that point did it take a few years of me who come around I suppose
years of me who come around I suppose
years of me who come around I suppose it’s not much of an issue you know
it’s not much of an issue you know
it’s not much of an issue you know plenty of people do multiple sports or
plenty of people do multiple sports or
plenty of people do multiple sports or stop one sport – can take up another but
stop one sport – can take up another but
stop one sport – can take up another but that’s not me firstly I grew up in a
that’s not me firstly I grew up in a
that’s not me firstly I grew up in a family that was rooted in rugby league
family that was rooted in rugby league
family that was rooted in rugby league culture my father was born in the
culture my father was born in the
culture my father was born in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and it was a
eastern suburbs of Sydney and it was a
eastern suburbs of Sydney and it was a mighty Roosters fan if I may be able to
mighty Roosters fan if I may be able to
mighty Roosters fan if I may be able to quote him my mother was born in Padstow
quote him my mother was born in Padstow
quote him my mother was born in Padstow and was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan I’m
and was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan I’m
and was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan I’m one of seven siblings with four older
one of seven siblings with four older
one of seven siblings with four older brothers I’ll give you one guess as to
brothers I’ll give you one guess as to
brothers I’ll give you one guess as to what sport are all into I mean given
what sport are all into I mean given
what sport are all into I mean given what I know now it was a fairly easy
what I know now it was a fairly easy
what I know now it was a fairly easy decision but at the time I was going
decision but at the time I was going
decision but at the time I was going against the status quo of my childhood
against the status quo of my childhood
against the status quo of my childhood you know who knows maybe I did go the
you know who knows maybe I did go the
you know who knows maybe I did go the other route maybe I’m a famous
other route maybe I’m a famous
other route maybe I’m a famous footballer in another timeline it’s
footballer in another timeline it’s
footballer in another timeline it’s pretty unlikely you don’t see too many
pretty unlikely you don’t see too many
pretty unlikely you don’t see too many one-handed guys running around the
one-handed guys running around the
one-handed guys running around the football field in a game dominated by
football field in a game dominated by
football field in a game dominated by hand ball handling skills now maybe I
hand ball handling skills now maybe I
hand ball handling skills now maybe I went the academic route
went the academic route
went the academic route maybe I’m even a millionaire somewhere
maybe I’m even a millionaire somewhere
maybe I’m even a millionaire somewhere but no I chose swimming and it wasn’t
but no I chose swimming and it wasn’t
but no I chose swimming and it wasn’t the money the fame of the glory that
the money the fame of the glory that
the money the fame of the glory that sort of swayed my choice but rather the
sort of swayed my choice but rather the
sort of swayed my choice but rather the fact that I found with a team sport my
fact that I found with a team sport my
fact that I found with a team sport my outcome could be determined by the kind
outcome could be determined by the kind
outcome could be determined by the kind of game mine my teammates had whether
of game mine my teammates had whether
of game mine my teammates had whether they trained and prepared well that week
they trained and prepared well that week
they trained and prepared well that week or even if they want to be there in the
or even if they want to be there in the
or even if they want to be there in the first place the fact that they were all
first place the fact that they were all
first place the fact that they were all growing and all that you can see I
growing and all that you can see I
growing and all that you can see I didn’t may have persuade my decision as
didn’t may have persuade my decision as
didn’t may have persuade my decision as well but regardless you know that was
well but regardless you know that was
well but regardless you know that was unacceptable to me I wanted to succeed
unacceptable to me I wanted to succeed
unacceptable to me I wanted to succeed and I did not want other people to be
and I did not want other people to be
and I did not want other people to be accountable for me soon after starting
accountable for me soon after starting
accountable for me soon after starting swimming I realized that being good
swimming I realized that being good
swimming I realized that being good wasn’t much of an option either I wanted
wasn’t much of an option either I wanted
wasn’t much of an option either I wanted to represent my country I wanted to be
to represent my country I wanted to be
to represent my country I wanted to be the best so I flipped the coin jumped in
the best so I flipped the coin jumped in
the best so I flipped the coin jumped in both feet committed completely I chose
both feet committed completely I chose
both feet committed completely I chose my pathway and everything that came
my pathway and everything that came
my pathway and everything that came along with it you could say it was my
along with it you could say it was my
along with it you could say it was my mother that chose for me but you’d be
mother that chose for me but you’d be
mother that chose for me but you’d be wrong she kindly asked me at the start
wrong she kindly asked me at the start
wrong she kindly asked me at the start of every year I’d give swimming a go and
of every year I’d give swimming a go and
of every year I’d give swimming a go and finally I got to the point where I just
finally I got to the point where I just
finally I got to the point where I just thought well Woods the outcome here you
thought well Woods the outcome here you
thought well Woods the outcome here you know I looked at both options wait up
know I looked at both options wait up
know I looked at both options wait up their importance their practicality its
their importance their practicality its
their importance their practicality its suitability I made the first decision of
suitability I made the first decision of
suitability I made the first decision of my life that would determine where I am
my life that would determine where I am
my life that would determine where I am today this was a physical crossroads
today this was a physical crossroads
today this was a physical crossroads okay so decision that I made the swim
okay so decision that I made the swim
okay so decision that I made the swim directly impacted my future okay I mean
directly impacted my future okay I mean
directly impacted my future okay I mean just think about that for a second a
just think about that for a second a
just think about that for a second a decision that I made a 13 years of age
decision that I made a 13 years of age
decision that I made a 13 years of age to swim has me standing right where I am
to swim has me standing right where I am
to swim has me standing right where I am today
today
today the fact that I would go on to represent
the fact that I would go on to represent
the fact that I would go on to represent my country win a gold medal for my
my country win a gold medal for my
my country win a gold medal for my country or because I made that choice
country or because I made that choice
country or because I made that choice now doesn’t seem like much of a decision
now doesn’t seem like much of a decision
now doesn’t seem like much of a decision does it could this really have this big
does it could this really have this big
does it could this really have this big an impact on our life as my first
an impact on our life as my first
an impact on our life as my first example did I would say yes so one of
example did I would say yes so one of
example did I would say yes so one of the first stories I want to talk to you
the first stories I want to talk to you
the first stories I want to talk to you about is not so not really talked about
about is not so not really talked about
about is not so not really talked about very often and in fact my wife of six
very often and in fact my wife of six
very often and in fact my wife of six years only heard this for the first time
years only heard this for the first time
years only heard this for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I started
a couple of weeks ago when I started
a couple of weeks ago when I started doing this speech but I suppose in this
doing this speech but I suppose in this
doing this speech but I suppose in this context it kind of exemplifies I’m
context it kind of exemplifies I’m
context it kind of exemplifies I’m trying to talk Aliya now as a young boy
trying to talk Aliya now as a young boy
trying to talk Aliya now as a young boy growing up in the hustle bustle of
growing up in the hustle bustle of
growing up in the hustle bustle of inner-city Sydney you are constantly
inner-city Sydney you are constantly
inner-city Sydney you are constantly ever-changing cultural norm now as a
ever-changing cultural norm now as a
ever-changing cultural norm now as a person with a disability this can be
person with a disability this can be
person with a disability this can be even harder to navigate as having a
even harder to navigate as having a
even harder to navigate as having a distinguishable difference can make your
distinguishable difference can make your
distinguishable difference can make your target for ridicule and judgement this
target for ridicule and judgement this
target for ridicule and judgement this didn’t sit overly well with me but I had
didn’t sit overly well with me but I had
didn’t sit overly well with me but I had a plan it was I put my hands in my
a plan it was I put my hands in my
a plan it was I put my hands in my pockets or simply by wearing a
pockets or simply by wearing a
pockets or simply by wearing a long-sleeve jumper or shirt and don’t
long-sleeve jumper or shirt and don’t
long-sleeve jumper or shirt and don’t pose too much of an issue in wintertime
pose too much of an issue in wintertime
pose too much of an issue in wintertime however in summertime when the
however in summertime when the
however in summertime when the temperatures are 35 to 40 degrees in
temperatures are 35 to 40 degrees in
temperatures are 35 to 40 degrees in summer you can imagine this is starting
summer you can imagine this is starting
summer you can imagine this is starting to core some issues one type say I was
to core some issues one type say I was
to core some issues one type say I was with my best friend in a bank and
with my best friend in a bank and
with my best friend in a bank and there’s a reasonably humid day and it’s
there’s a reasonably humid day and it’s
there’s a reasonably humid day and it’s quite the stuff inside the bank I start
quite the stuff inside the bank I start
quite the stuff inside the bank I start feeling a little bit off you know no not
feeling a little bit off you know no not
feeling a little bit off you know no not having had this happen too often before
having had this happen too often before
having had this happen too often before I wasn’t sure what was going on but I
I wasn’t sure what was going on but I
I wasn’t sure what was going on but I understood well enough that I needed to
understood well enough that I needed to
understood well enough that I needed to find somewhere to sit down so I’ll
find somewhere to sit down so I’ll
find somewhere to sit down so I’ll quickly scan the room and noticed a
quickly scan the room and noticed a
quickly scan the room and noticed a chair in the corner inside of making a
chair in the corner inside of making a
chair in the corner inside of making a beeline for it the next thing I realized
beeline for it the next thing I realized
beeline for it the next thing I realized I wake up on the ground looking at the
I wake up on the ground looking at the
I wake up on the ground looking at the roof with my best friend and trench it
roof with my best friend and trench it
roof with my best friend and trench it enough my own clone army standing over
enough my own clone army standing over
enough my own clone army standing over me I get rushed to the hospital and have
me I get rushed to the hospital and have
me I get rushed to the hospital and have eight stitches put in my head
eight stitches put in my head
eight stitches put in my head apparently as I was fainting I’ve caught
apparently as I was fainting I’ve caught
apparently as I was fainting I’ve caught the corner of a a concrete pylon and
the corner of a a concrete pylon and
the corner of a a concrete pylon and split my head open now over the next few
split my head open now over the next few
split my head open now over the next few years
years
years I struggled relentlessly with this issue
I struggled relentlessly with this issue
I struggled relentlessly with this issue knowing full well that I was causing
knowing full well that I was causing
knowing full well that I was causing irreparable damage to myself but just
irreparable damage to myself but just
irreparable damage to myself but just not being over to come the fear and
not being over to come the fear and
not being over to come the fear and embarrassment people seeing me as I am
embarrassment people seeing me as I am
embarrassment people seeing me as I am soon after this incident my mother took
soon after this incident my mother took
soon after this incident my mother took me to see a doctor and and they strapped
me to see a doctor and and they strapped
me to see a doctor and and they strapped like an ECG machine on me that I had to
like an ECG machine on me that I had to
like an ECG machine on me that I had to worry around for 24 hours to figure out
worry around for 24 hours to figure out
worry around for 24 hours to figure out what was going on and when the results
what was going on and when the results
what was going on and when the results came back
came back
came back nothing apparent seem to show up but the
nothing apparent seem to show up but the
nothing apparent seem to show up but the doctor said something at the time that
doctor said something at the time that
doctor said something at the time that I’ll never forget he said something
I’ll never forget he said something
I’ll never forget he said something about a cooked hypothalamus now for
about a cooked hypothalamus now for
about a cooked hypothalamus now for these those you that don’t know the
these those you that don’t know the
these those you that don’t know the hypothalamus is the center of the brain
hypothalamus is the center of the brain
hypothalamus is the center of the brain which among other things controls body
which among other things controls body
which among other things controls body temperature now I’m not a doctor I have
temperature now I’m not a doctor I have
temperature now I’m not a doctor I have absolutely no idea if this is an actual
absolutely no idea if this is an actual
absolutely no idea if this is an actual condition however still to this day I
condition however still to this day I
condition however still to this day I have fainting spells that can be
have fainting spells that can be
have fainting spells that can be triggered by heat lack of food lack of
triggered by heat lack of food lack of
triggered by heat lack of food lack of sleep dehydration or simply just by
sleep dehydration or simply just by
sleep dehydration or simply just by standing in a crowded place now coming
standing in a crowded place now coming
standing in a crowded place now coming to the point I don’t recall
to the point I don’t recall
to the point I don’t recall when I decided that this needed to
when I decided that this needed to
when I decided that this needed to change but a situation that always
change but a situation that always
change but a situation that always really spiked my fears was going to a
really spiked my fears was going to a
really spiked my fears was going to a shopping center like a Westfield as I’m
shopping center like a Westfield as I’m
shopping center like a Westfield as I’m walking around you know at first it was
walking around you know at first it was
walking around you know at first it was really hard for me to go there without a
really hard for me to go there without a
really hard for me to go there without a jumper on but over time I’ve managed to
jumper on but over time I’ve managed to
jumper on but over time I’ve managed to be able to walk around there as I am and
be able to walk around there as I am and
be able to walk around there as I am and as I said this is were than a precise
as I said this is were than a precise
as I said this is were than a precise moment in time that I can pinpoint nor
moment in time that I can pinpoint nor
moment in time that I can pinpoint nor something that I can you know really
something that I can you know really
something that I can you know really figure out if I even thought about it
figure out if I even thought about it
figure out if I even thought about it but this was a decision that I made for
but this was a decision that I made for
but this was a decision that I made for my own wealth and whole being now can
my own wealth and whole being now can
my own wealth and whole being now can you imagine that same boy standing here
you imagine that same boy standing here
you imagine that same boy standing here on the stage doing a talk right now he
on the stage doing a talk right now he
on the stage doing a talk right now he would be absolutely mortified I daddy to
would be absolutely mortified I daddy to
would be absolutely mortified I daddy to come out on stage and if you did it’s
come out on stage and if you did it’s
come out on stage and if you did it’s hyper chant that he just fainted on us I
hyper chant that he just fainted on us I
hyper chant that he just fainted on us I actually learned through the process of
actually learned through the process of
actually learned through the process of doing this speech that this is our known
doing this speech that this is our known
doing this speech that this is our known as glossophobia for you Rosie they’re
as glossophobia for you Rosie they’re
as glossophobia for you Rosie they’re interested here about fear of public
interested here about fear of public
interested here about fear of public speaking I mean I still get nervous to
speaking I mean I still get nervous to
speaking I mean I still get nervous to this day and I find myself you know
this day and I find myself you know
this day and I find myself you know reverting back to my old habit of
reverting back to my old habit of
reverting back to my old habit of putting my hands in my pockets this was
putting my hands in my pockets this was
putting my hands in my pockets this was something that was like so rooted in my
something that was like so rooted in my
something that was like so rooted in my personality for so many years that I now
personality for so many years that I now
personality for so many years that I now have to overcome subconscious actions
have to overcome subconscious actions
have to overcome subconscious actions seemingly by force
seemingly by force
seemingly by force and I hate that I absolutely hate that I
and I hate that I absolutely hate that I
and I hate that I absolutely hate that I was like that I cannot believe that I’ll
was like that I cannot believe that I’ll
was like that I cannot believe that I’ll put myself in such a dangerous position
put myself in such a dangerous position
put myself in such a dangerous position you know that I’d allow those feelings
you know that I’d allow those feelings
you know that I’d allow those feelings about myself they’re proud to find
about myself they’re proud to find
about myself they’re proud to find person that I am today but it has taught
person that I am today but it has taught
person that I am today but it has taught me a lot
me a lot
me a lot my second point is about mindset when
my second point is about mindset when
my second point is about mindset when we’re faced with these crossroads and
we’re faced with these crossroads and
we’re faced with these crossroads and the decisions that we’re making as you
the decisions that we’re making as you
the decisions that we’re making as you can see I had a pretty negative opinion
can see I had a pretty negative opinion
can see I had a pretty negative opinion of myself and I allowed that will affect
of myself and I allowed that will affect
of myself and I allowed that will affect my choices there wasn’t until I was
my choices there wasn’t until I was
my choices there wasn’t until I was prepared to accept that I wasn’t perfect
prepared to accept that I wasn’t perfect
prepared to accept that I wasn’t perfect then I couldn’t control everything in
then I couldn’t control everything in
then I couldn’t control everything in every situation and then sometimes
every situation and then sometimes
every situation and then sometimes people are just going to be ignorant and
people are just going to be ignorant and
people are just going to be ignorant and rude and hurtful but that’s not my point
rude and hurtful but that’s not my point
rude and hurtful but that’s not my point I chose to put my feelings my opinions
I chose to put my feelings my opinions
I chose to put my feelings my opinions my world wealth and Hilbert health and
my world wealth and Hilbert health and
my world wealth and Hilbert health and well-being
well-being
well-being all of that and accept myself for who I
all of that and accept myself for who I
all of that and accept myself for who I was now the thing ultimately when you’re
was now the thing ultimately when you’re
was now the thing ultimately when you’re making a decision you have two options
making a decision you have two options
making a decision you have two options all right for the positive and for the
all right for the positive and for the
all right for the positive and for the negative how you come to that decision
negative how you come to that decision
negative how you come to that decision is just as important though now when I
is just as important though now when I
is just as important though now when I was trying to get through this
was trying to get through this
was trying to get through this personality trait I had to talk and we
personality trait I had to talk and we
personality trait I had to talk and we all myself into it after all I think you
all myself into it after all I think you
all myself into it after all I think you will always have trouble sticking to a
will always have trouble sticking to a
will always have trouble sticking to a decision if you do not 100% believe in
decision if you do not 100% believe in
decision if you do not 100% believe in your reasoning and this can be hard I
your reasoning and this can be hard I
your reasoning and this can be hard I mean human beings are blessed and cursed
mean human beings are blessed and cursed
mean human beings are blessed and cursed with an array of emotions and feelings
with an array of emotions and feelings
with an array of emotions and feelings now things like anger resentment love
now things like anger resentment love
now things like anger resentment love hate passion I mean the list goes on and
hate passion I mean the list goes on and
hate passion I mean the list goes on and it’s an audience comprised of a lot of
it’s an audience comprised of a lot of
it’s an audience comprised of a lot of younger boys but even adults and people
younger boys but even adults and people
younger boys but even adults and people are different races and cultures and
are different races and cultures and
are different races and cultures and statuses you know I’m sure that you were
statuses you know I’m sure that you were
statuses you know I’m sure that you were faced with situations on a daily basis
faced with situations on a daily basis
faced with situations on a daily basis well your your resolve is tested and you
well your your resolve is tested and you
well your your resolve is tested and you had know firsthand from experience just
had know firsthand from experience just
had know firsthand from experience just how hard these embedded defenses can be
how hard these embedded defenses can be
how hard these embedded defenses can be to overcome I think if we can use you
to overcome I think if we can use you
to overcome I think if we can use you know calm assertive and positive mindset
know calm assertive and positive mindset
know calm assertive and positive mindset to lead our thoughts when we are making
to lead our thoughts when we are making
to lead our thoughts when we are making these decisions I feel like we can come
these decisions I feel like we can come
these decisions I feel like we can come out on top now had recited earlier that
out on top now had recited earlier that
out on top now had recited earlier that intersections could be defined as to
intersections could be defined as to
intersections could be defined as to meet and cross at a point or what
meet and cross at a point or what
meet and cross at a point or what happens to this other timeline that
happens to this other timeline that
happens to this other timeline that could have been some would say just
could have been some would say just
could have been some would say just doesn’t exist others may argue to the
doesn’t exist others may argue to the
doesn’t exist others may argue to the end of the earth that there’s now an
end of the earth that there’s now an
end of the earth that there’s now an alternate reality branching off into
alternate reality branching off into
alternate reality branching off into infinite timelines of all the decisions
infinite timelines of all the decisions
infinite timelines of all the decisions you’ve ever made but we’re not really
you’ve ever made but we’re not really
you’ve ever made but we’re not really here to talk about that having said that
here to talk about that having said that
here to talk about that having said that I bet you don’t stop yourself from often
I bet you don’t stop yourself from often
I bet you don’t stop yourself from often thinking well what if I did this or what
thinking well what if I did this or what
thinking well what if I did this or what if I went that you know is human nature
if I went that you know is human nature
if I went that you know is human nature to wonder and I like I get it you know
to wonder and I like I get it you know
to wonder and I like I get it you know because not every decision you make is
because not every decision you make is
because not every decision you make is going to be a good one following my
going to be a good one following my
going to be a good one following my career highlight in Beijing I was left
career highlight in Beijing I was left
career highlight in Beijing I was left with another fork in the road now they
with another fork in the road now they
with another fork in the road now they performers athlete we are hyper focus on
performers athlete we are hyper focus on
performers athlete we are hyper focus on achieving a singular goal one which
achieving a singular goal one which
achieving a singular goal one which could be years in the making now what
could be years in the making now what
could be years in the making now what happens when you achieve that goal
happens when you achieve that goal
happens when you achieve that goal it’s not heard of very often that after
it’s not heard of very often that after
it’s not heard of very often that after our games are a very big event like that
our games are a very big event like that
our games are a very big event like that you’re left with this really eerie
you’re left with this really eerie
you’re left with this really eerie feeling okay regardless of your outcome
feeling okay regardless of your outcome
feeling okay regardless of your outcome of their games you’ve come to the
of their games you’ve come to the
of their games you’ve come to the realization that there’s actually not a
realization that there’s actually not a
realization that there’s actually not a whole lot else going on in your life
whole lot else going on in your life
whole lot else going on in your life that’s of any great important
that’s of any great important
that’s of any great important coupled with the fact that you’ve just
coupled with the fact that you’ve just
coupled with the fact that you’ve just spent a month or so or more with 30 or
spent a month or so or more with 30 or
spent a month or so or more with 30 or so individuals day in and day out doing
so individuals day in and day out doing
so individuals day in and day out doing the exact same thing as you two now
the exact same thing as you two now
the exact same thing as you two now pretty much being at home alone or by
pretty much being at home alone or by
pretty much being at home alone or by yourself I mean it’s yes like I said
yourself I mean it’s yes like I said
yourself I mean it’s yes like I said it’s a very odd feeling
it’s a very odd feeling
it’s a very odd feeling I recall one day I was in my backyard
I recall one day I was in my backyard
I recall one day I was in my backyard only two days after I got home from
only two days after I got home from
only two days after I got home from their power wonder games and once again
their power wonder games and once again
their power wonder games and once again Here I am laying on my back looking up
Here I am laying on my back looking up
Here I am laying on my back looking up at the stars and I was just overcome
at the stars and I was just overcome
at the stars and I was just overcome with how big this place is that we lived
with how big this place is that we lived
with how big this place is that we lived you know we make these boxes in our life
you know we make these boxes in our life
you know we make these boxes in our life that define who we are and keep us you
that define who we are and keep us you
that define who we are and keep us you know the center of the universe and at
know the center of the universe and at
know the center of the universe and at this point everything disappeared and I
this point everything disappeared and I
this point everything disappeared and I were just left with this enormity like
were just left with this enormity like
were just left with this enormity like it was a crushing feeling and I just I
it was a crushing feeling and I just I
it was a crushing feeling and I just I needed to fill the gap somehow so when I
needed to fill the gap somehow so when I
needed to fill the gap somehow so when I decided that I was gonna try qualify for
decided that I was gonna try qualify for
decided that I was gonna try qualify for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 which I’d
the Commonwealth Games in 2010 which I’d
the Commonwealth Games in 2010 which I’d never done before and for you those
never done before and for you those
never done before and for you those either you don’t know the Commonwealth
either you don’t know the Commonwealth
either you don’t know the Commonwealth Games only hosts a certain amount of
Games only hosts a certain amount of
Games only hosts a certain amount of powerful Paralympic events known as
powerful Paralympic events known as
powerful Paralympic events known as exhibition event and in this instance
exhibition event and in this instance
exhibition event and in this instance there happen to be the 100 freestyle and
there happen to be the 100 freestyle and
there happen to be the 100 freestyle and I’m not a freestyler so I flipped the
I’m not a freestyler so I flipped the
I’m not a freestyler so I flipped the coin jumped in both feet committed
coin jumped in both feet committed
coin jumped in both feet committed completely and I chose my pathway and
completely and I chose my pathway and
completely and I chose my pathway and everything that comes along with it
everything that comes along with it
everything that comes along with it again it didn’t work out not only didn’t
again it didn’t work out not only didn’t
again it didn’t work out not only didn’t I make that team I actually failed to
I make that team I actually failed to
I make that team I actually failed to make the Australian team that year as
make the Australian team that year as
make the Australian team that year as well as my new training didn’t really
well as my new training didn’t really
well as my new training didn’t really work too well with my main stroke so I
work too well with my main stroke so I
work too well with my main stroke so I was left with another crossroads you
was left with another crossroads you
was left with another crossroads you know quit swimming or do something
know quit swimming or do something
know quit swimming or do something drastic so I did something drastic
drastic so I did something drastic
drastic so I did something drastic that’s when I moved to the areas in
that’s when I moved to the areas in
that’s when I moved to the areas in Canberra to continue my training I had
Canberra to continue my training I had
Canberra to continue my training I had to leave my hometown for the first time
to leave my hometown for the first time
to leave my hometown for the first time in my life all my friends my family even
in my life all my friends my family even
in my life all my friends my family even my current girlfriend everything that
my current girlfriend everything that
my current girlfriend everything that court kind of represented and connected
court kind of represented and connected
court kind of represented and connected me worst choice ever not only didn’t
me worst choice ever not only didn’t
me worst choice ever not only didn’t that workout only lasted eight
that workout only lasted eight
that workout only lasted eight down there I missed the Australian team
down there I missed the Australian team
down there I missed the Australian team the following year my girlfriend left me
the following year my girlfriend left me
the following year my girlfriend left me she stole my dog I’ve ever injured my
she stole my dog I’ve ever injured my
she stole my dog I’ve ever injured my knee and I pretty much retired from
knee and I pretty much retired from
knee and I pretty much retired from swing for four months so as you can see
swing for four months so as you can see
swing for four months so as you can see not every choice you make is going to
not every choice you make is going to
not every choice you make is going to have a positive outcome I mean I can
have a positive outcome I mean I can
have a positive outcome I mean I can look back in hindsight and I once again
look back in hindsight and I once again
look back in hindsight and I once again think you know but but if only my final
think you know but but if only my final
think you know but but if only my final point rounds out there are my talking
point rounds out there are my talking
point rounds out there are my talking intersections it dealing with the
intersections it dealing with the
intersections it dealing with the outcomes now I try to live by a few
outcomes now I try to live by a few
outcomes now I try to live by a few models in life now love yourself for who
models in life now love yourself for who
models in life now love yourself for who you are never regret never forget and
you are never regret never forget and
you are never regret never forget and never go backwards which would explain
never go backwards which would explain
never go backwards which would explain why I hate backstroke so much now these
why I hate backstroke so much now these
why I hate backstroke so much now these these things often intermingle and
these things often intermingle and
these things often intermingle and overlap I did explain to you before
overlap I did explain to you before
overlap I did explain to you before about my story about growing up with a
about my story about growing up with a
about my story about growing up with a disability that you need to love
disability that you need to love
disability that you need to love yourself for who you are regardless and
yourself for who you are regardless and
yourself for who you are regardless and then never regret never forget if you
then never regret never forget if you
then never regret never forget if you love yourself for who you are then you
love yourself for who you are then you
love yourself for who you are then you shouldn’t be I shouldn’t feel bad about
shouldn’t be I shouldn’t feel bad about
shouldn’t be I shouldn’t feel bad about the things that have happened along the
the things that have happened along the
the things that have happened along the way good or bad for those choices that
way good or bad for those choices that
way good or bad for those choices that you have made of the reason you are who
you have made of the reason you are who
you have made of the reason you are who you are today the never forget part is
you are today the never forget part is
you are today the never forget part is pretty important you know this indicates
pretty important you know this indicates
pretty important you know this indicates that you not a complete sociopath and
that you not a complete sociopath and
that you not a complete sociopath and that you can still feel remorse and
that you can still feel remorse and
that you can still feel remorse and sadness for some of the things they have
sadness for some of the things they have
sadness for some of the things they have them along the way never go backwards if
them along the way never go backwards if
them along the way never go backwards if you love yourself for who you are you
you love yourself for who you are you
you love yourself for who you are you don’t regret the choices that you’ve
don’t regret the choices that you’ve
don’t regret the choices that you’ve made and you haven’t forgotten your
made and you haven’t forgotten your
made and you haven’t forgotten your mistakes then there’s no reason to go
mistakes then there’s no reason to go
mistakes then there’s no reason to go backwards now your life is ahead of you
backwards now your life is ahead of you
backwards now your life is ahead of you your next choice is ahead of you
your next choice is ahead of you
your next choice is ahead of you your next intersection is ahead of you
your next intersection is ahead of you
your next intersection is ahead of you I’ll go back on my pathway and all the
I’ll go back on my pathway and all the
I’ll go back on my pathway and all the key moments in my life and I love all of
key moments in my life and I love all of
key moments in my life and I love all of it it has been so rewarding to make
it it has been so rewarding to make
it it has been so rewarding to make those choices
those choices
those choices even the wrong ones you know I envision
even the wrong ones you know I envision
even the wrong ones you know I envision a pathway where I can see all the good
a pathway where I can see all the good
a pathway where I can see all the good parts and the bad parts of my life and
parts and the bad parts of my life and
parts and the bad parts of my life and I’m amazed with where my life is today
I’m amazed with where my life is today
I’m amazed with where my life is today you know I’ve been to four Paralympics
you know I’ve been to four Paralympics
you know I’ve been to four Paralympics I’ve been on the Australian swim
I’ve been on the Australian swim
I’ve been on the Australian swim for 15 years I’ve been the gold medalist
for 15 years I’ve been the gold medalist
for 15 years I’ve been the gold medalist I’ve been a world-record holder the
I’ve been a world-record holder the
I’ve been a world-record holder the fastest person in the world I’ve
fastest person in the world I’ve
fastest person in the world I’ve received an order of Australian medal
received an order of Australian medal
received an order of Australian medal from the governor-general of Australia
from the governor-general of Australia
from the governor-general of Australia most importantly though I have a wife
most importantly though I have a wife
most importantly though I have a wife and two beautiful children to go home to
and two beautiful children to go home to
and two beautiful children to go home to every night you know it’s poetic and
every night you know it’s poetic and
every night you know it’s poetic and it’s comforting to know that in the end
it’s comforting to know that in the end
it’s comforting to know that in the end everything will work out okay and
everything will work out okay and
everything will work out okay and there’s one thing I can leave you guys
there’s one thing I can leave you guys
there’s one thing I can leave you guys with today would be this take every
with today would be this take every
with today would be this take every opportunity you can to make a decision
opportunity you can to make a decision
opportunity you can to make a decision do so wholeheartedly and without regret
do so wholeheartedly and without regret
do so wholeheartedly and without regret and to love yourself for who you are and
and to love yourself for who you are and
and to love yourself for who you are and where you are and hopefully one day you
where you are and hopefully one day you
where you are and hopefully one day you can look back and smile
can look back and smile
can look back and smile thank you all for them to come in today
thank you all for them to come in today
thank you all for them to come in today it’s been a great pleasure
it’s been a great pleasure
it’s been a great pleasure [Applause]
”
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