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Achieving dreams … by fearing failure | Dina Asher-Smith | TEDxWhitehall


hi everybody hi I’m Dina Roger Smith and

hi everybody hi I’m Dina Roger Smith and I am motivated by a fear of failure

I am motivated by a fear of failure

I am motivated by a fear of failure okay motivated probably isn’t a strong

okay motivated probably isn’t a strong

okay motivated probably isn’t a strong enough word to express how I feel it’s

enough word to express how I feel it’s

enough word to express how I feel it’s more like an allergy to me an itching

more like an allergy to me an itching

more like an allergy to me an itching nagging feeling deep inside me that

nagging feeling deep inside me that

nagging feeling deep inside me that gives me an inability to be complacent

gives me an inability to be complacent

gives me an inability to be complacent with anything

with anything

with anything it’s the feeling that had me waking up

it’s the feeling that had me waking up

it’s the feeling that had me waking up in the middle of the night just so I

in the middle of the night just so I

in the middle of the night just so I didn’t fail my degree there’s someone

didn’t fail my degree there’s someone

didn’t fail my degree there’s someone I’m sure you will kind of know how that

I’m sure you will kind of know how that

I’m sure you will kind of know how that felt

felt

felt and also it’s kind of what had me

and also it’s kind of what had me

and also it’s kind of what had me defying all odds in representing my

defying all odds in representing my

defying all odds in representing my country and meddling in the World

country and meddling in the World

country and meddling in the World Championships this summer in London just

Championships this summer in London just

Championships this summer in London just five months after breaking my foot now

five months after breaking my foot now

five months after breaking my foot now so often in the world of sport we’re

so often in the world of sport we’re

so often in the world of sport we’re asked what motivates you a hunger for

asked what motivates you a hunger for

asked what motivates you a hunger for success or a fear of failure and if you

success or a fear of failure and if you

success or a fear of failure and if you kind of stick your hand up for the

kind of stick your hand up for the

kind of stick your hand up for the second one you get those side eyes and

second one you get those side eyes and

second one you get those side eyes and people look at you like and you are

people look at you like and you are

people look at you like and you are motivated by the wrong thing honey but

motivated by the wrong thing honey but

motivated by the wrong thing honey but but and they always assume that if you

but and they always assume that if you

but and they always assume that if you fear failure you don’t have the courage

fear failure you don’t have the courage

fear failure you don’t have the courage to set high dreams you don’t have the

to set high dreams you don’t have the

to set high dreams you don’t have the courage to chase your dreams that a fear

courage to chase your dreams that a fear

courage to chase your dreams that a fear failure comes burdened with the inner

failure comes burdened with the inner

failure comes burdened with the inner with the inhibitory factor that inhibits

with the inhibitory factor that inhibits

with the inhibitory factor that inhibits courage tenacity and growth but of

courage tenacity and growth but of

courage tenacity and growth but of course I’d like to counter that loathing

course I’d like to counter that loathing

course I’d like to counter that loathing failure does not always come with the

failure does not always come with the

failure does not always come with the debilitating element of not embarking on

debilitating element of not embarking on

debilitating element of not embarking on your dreams and in fact I’d like to

your dreams and in fact I’d like to

your dreams and in fact I’d like to argue that a healthy fear of failure

argue that a healthy fear of failure

argue that a healthy fear of failure never does understanding that failure is

never does understanding that failure is

never does understanding that failure is of course inevitable in life and of

of course inevitable in life and of

of course inevitable in life and of course it’s essential for growth and

course it’s essential for growth and

course it’s essential for growth and also set in those high and seemingly

also set in those high and seemingly

also set in those high and seemingly unattainable dreams has the power to

unattainable dreams has the power to

unattainable dreams has the power to motivate you to achieve things that

motivate you to achieve things that

motivate you to achieve things that people didn’t think we’re possible and

people didn’t think we’re possible and

people didn’t think we’re possible and in my case when the odds were stacked

in my case when the odds were stacked

in my case when the odds were stacked away against you so I’d like to take you

away against you so I’d like to take you

away against you so I’d like to take you back to when I was 8 years old and I

back to when I was 8 years old and I

back to when I was 8 years old and I decided to become an Olympian

decided to become an Olympian

decided to become an Olympian I remember watching care homes and the

I remember watching care homes and the

I remember watching care homes and the Athens Olympics when a double golden I

Athens Olympics when a double golden I

Athens Olympics when a double golden I was like right that is absolutely

was like right that is absolutely

was like right that is absolutely incredible but in the true spirit of an

incredible but in the true spirit of an

incredible but in the true spirit of an eight-year-old that wasn’t what maybe

eight-year-old that wasn’t what maybe

eight-year-old that wasn’t what maybe want to be an Olympian it was the fact

want to be an Olympian it was the fact

want to be an Olympian it was the fact that kind of when she got on the podium

that kind of when she got on the podium

that kind of when she got on the podium they gave her what I thought was a crown

they gave her what I thought was a crown

they gave her what I thought was a crown but of course we all know how I know and

but of course we all know how I know and

but of course we all know how I know and it was obviously paying homage to the

it was obviously paying homage to the

it was obviously paying homage to the ancient Greek tradition of like the

ancient Greek tradition of like the

ancient Greek tradition of like the wreaths but as an 8 rod I was like look

wreaths but as an 8 rod I was like look

wreaths but as an 8 rod I was like look that’s what I want to do mom on a podium

that’s what I want to do mom on a podium

that’s what I want to do mom on a podium she’s got a crown she is a princess of

she’s got a crown she is a princess of

she’s got a crown she is a princess of Olympic proportion that is what I want

Olympic proportion that is what I want

Olympic proportion that is what I want to do and

to do and

to do and you can probably imagine my dismay four

you can probably imagine my dismay four

you can probably imagine my dismay four years later when I watched the Beijing

years later when I watched the Beijing

years later when I watched the Beijing Olympics four years into trying to

Olympics four years into trying to

Olympics four years into trying to become an Olympian in something and they

become an Olympian in something and they

become an Olympian in something and they didn’t have crowns I was like what’s

didn’t have crowns I was like what’s

didn’t have crowns I was like what’s going on well she was like that’s

going on well she was like that’s

going on well she was like that’s because it was in Athens and I was that

because it was in Athens and I was that

because it was in Athens and I was that oh yeah of course thinking oh well I’ve

oh yeah of course thinking oh well I’ve

oh yeah of course thinking oh well I’ve tried for four years now I might as well

tried for four years now I might as well

tried for four years now I might as well just stick with it but at that point I

just stick with it but at that point I

just stick with it but at that point I was kind of this child that I loved

was kind of this child that I loved

was kind of this child that I loved sport I’d kind of just tried everything

sport I’d kind of just tried everything

sport I’d kind of just tried everything I was complacent the same places but I

I was complacent the same places but I

I was complacent the same places but I was happy with just improving every

was happy with just improving every

was happy with just improving every single day and it doesn’t necessarily I

single day and it doesn’t necessarily I

single day and it doesn’t necessarily I wasn’t as so always the fast in my

wasn’t as so always the fast in my

wasn’t as so always the fast in my training group the fastest in my County

training group the fastest in my County

training group the fastest in my County the country and certainly not the world

the country and certainly not the world

the country and certainly not the world but I was just happy with improving as a

but I was just happy with improving as a

but I was just happy with improving as a child that’s just what I wanted to do I

child that’s just what I wanted to do I

child that’s just what I wanted to do I was used to swim it’s do diving and of

was used to swim it’s do diving and of

was used to swim it’s do diving and of course I used to do athletics and kind

course I used to do athletics and kind

course I used to do athletics and kind of coming up to 2012 I’d be I was a

of coming up to 2012 I’d be I was a

of coming up to 2012 I’d be I was a junior international and I got the

junior international and I got the

junior international and I got the opportunity to kick Harry at the London

opportunity to kick Harry at the London

opportunity to kick Harry at the London Olympics which was of course an

Olympics which was of course an

Olympics which was of course an unforgettable experience and I remember

unforgettable experience and I remember

unforgettable experience and I remember first when we got handed our duty sheets

first when we got handed our duty sheets

first when we got handed our duty sheets I was disappointed that I missed the

I was disappointed that I missed the

I was disappointed that I missed the Sunday where it would be the men’s 100

Sunday where it would be the men’s 100

Sunday where it would be the men’s 100 meter final because obviously I wanted

meter final because obviously I wanted

meter final because obviously I wanted to see Usain Bolt and I got the Saturday

to see Usain Bolt and I got the Saturday

to see Usain Bolt and I got the Saturday that the day before and I remember

that the day before and I remember

that the day before and I remember thinking oh I want to see Usain Bolt

thinking oh I want to see Usain Bolt

thinking oh I want to see Usain Bolt what’s the lifetime experience but I got

what’s the lifetime experience but I got

what’s the lifetime experience but I got given this Saturday why don’t they make

given this Saturday why don’t they make

given this Saturday why don’t they make my life like this but it turned out to

my life like this but it turned out to

my life like this but it turned out to be Super Saturday of course with Greg

be Super Saturday of course with Greg

be Super Saturday of course with Greg Jessa Moke achieving the absolute

Jessa Moke achieving the absolute

Jessa Moke achieving the absolute unbelievable and getting three gold

unbelievable and getting three gold

unbelievable and getting three gold medals for Great Britain in the space of

medals for Great Britain in the space of

medals for Great Britain in the space of maybe I don’t know should probably know

maybe I don’t know should probably know

maybe I don’t know should probably know the exact timings but in that session

the exact timings but in that session

the exact timings but in that session and what really resonated with me was

and what really resonated with me was

and what really resonated with me was yes these people had achieved their

yes these people had achieved their

yes these people had achieved their dreams they hadn’t failed in what they

dreams they hadn’t failed in what they

dreams they hadn’t failed in what they were trying to do but what was more

were trying to do but what was more

were trying to do but what was more apparent was that when I looked around I

apparent was that when I looked around I

apparent was that when I looked around I saw that people that didn’t know them

saw that people that didn’t know them

saw that people that didn’t know them they didn’t know maybe everything about

they didn’t know maybe everything about

they didn’t know maybe everything about them they were crying they were

them they were crying they were

them they were crying they were genuinely so proud of them they might

genuinely so proud of them they might

genuinely so proud of them they might not know that like for months at a time

not know that like for months at a time

not know that like for months at a time mo has to leave his family and go and

mo has to leave his family and go and

mo has to leave his family and go and train at altitude to make sure he can

train at altitude to make sure he can

train at altitude to make sure he can perform to the best of his ability they

perform to the best of his ability they

perform to the best of his ability they didn’t necessarily understand that Jess

didn’t necessarily understand that Jess

didn’t necessarily understand that Jess Ennis didn’t go to the Beijing Olympics

Ennis didn’t go to the Beijing Olympics

Ennis didn’t go to the Beijing Olympics because she broke her foot very very

because she broke her foot very very

because she broke her foot very very close to the actual game so she missed

close to the actual game so she missed

close to the actual game so she missed out and it and London was her first

out and it and London was her first

out and it and London was her first Olympics they didn’t know that they

Olympics they didn’t know that they

Olympics they didn’t know that they didn’t see them wake up at 5:00 a.m. to

didn’t see them wake up at 5:00 a.m. to

didn’t see them wake up at 5:00 a.m. to go to training they didn’t see all the

go to training they didn’t see all the

go to training they didn’t see all the times they didn’t hit their goals they

times they didn’t hit their goals they

times they didn’t hit their goals they were crying and they weren’t the

were crying and they weren’t the

were crying and they weren’t the shoulder to cry on

shoulder to cry on

shoulder to cry on but these people they were touched by

but these people they were touched by

but these people they were touched by their achievements and that for me

their achievements and that for me

their achievements and that for me resonated I thought how incredible is

resonated I thought how incredible is

resonated I thought how incredible is that you’ve been given a talent or

that you’ve been given a talent or

that you’ve been given a talent or you’ve worked so hard to cultivate this

you’ve worked so hard to cultivate this

you’ve worked so hard to cultivate this talent and by just not failing at your

talent and by just not failing at your

talent and by just not failing at your expectations not failing at your goals

expectations not failing at your goals

expectations not failing at your goals you can kind of light up these people’s

you can kind of light up these people’s

you can kind of light up these people’s lives I mean remember when you go around

lives I mean remember when you go around

lives I mean remember when you go around talking about where everybody knew where

talking about where everybody knew where

talking about where everybody knew where they were on Super Saturday they thought

they were on Super Saturday they thought

they were on Super Saturday they thought that was absolutely incredible and

that was absolutely incredible and

that was absolutely incredible and that’s what inspired me and that’s what

that’s what inspired me and that’s what

that’s what inspired me and that’s what motivated me to really take my athletics

motivated me to really take my athletics

motivated me to really take my athletics to the next level and I knew at that

to the next level and I knew at that

to the next level and I knew at that point that in 2017 five years after

point that in 2017 five years after

point that in 2017 five years after London 2012 there was going to be

London 2012 there was going to be

London 2012 there was going to be another opportunity for athletes to from

another opportunity for athletes to from

another opportunity for athletes to from Great Britain to compete in front of a

Great Britain to compete in front of a

Great Britain to compete in front of a home crowd at the World Athletics

home crowd at the World Athletics

home crowd at the World Athletics Championships and obviously I was kicked

Championships and obviously I was kicked

Championships and obviously I was kicked herring at the Olympics out that ship

herring at the Olympics out that ship

herring at the Olympics out that ship itself for me but for athletes a World

itself for me but for athletes a World

itself for me but for athletes a World Championships in your hometown is the

Championships in your hometown is the

Championships in your hometown is the closest thing you’re ever going to get

closest thing you’re ever going to get

closest thing you’re ever going to get to a home Olympic so I told myself right

to a home Olympic so I told myself right

to a home Olympic so I told myself right that night in London 2012 was like right

that night in London 2012 was like right

that night in London 2012 was like right next time this becomes opportunity for a

next time this becomes opportunity for a

next time this becomes opportunity for a Championships in London I have to be

Championships in London I have to be

Championships in London I have to be there and that motivation took me from

there and that motivation took me from

there and that motivation took me from being a girl that was very happy to make

being a girl that was very happy to make

being a girl that was very happy to make junior teams just about scraping in in

junior teams just about scraping in in

junior teams just about scraping in in the second wave of selection to becoming

the second wave of selection to becoming

the second wave of selection to becoming the year after European junior champion

the year after European junior champion

the year after European junior champion the world’s youngest relay medallist

the world’s youngest relay medallist

the world’s youngest relay medallist then world junior champion then British

then world junior champion then British

then world junior champion then British record holder over 100 and 200 meters

record holder over 100 and 200 meters

record holder over 100 and 200 meters and then somehow becoming the world’s

and then somehow becoming the world’s

and then somehow becoming the world’s fastest teenager ever over 200 meters so

fastest teenager ever over 200 meters so

fastest teenager ever over 200 meters so you can imagine they expect the personal

you can imagine they expect the personal

you can imagine they expect the personal expectation and the public expectation

expectation and the public expectation

expectation and the public expectation growing miss me myself I was getting

growing miss me myself I was getting

growing miss me myself I was getting excited for my career prospects I was

excited for my career prospects I was

excited for my career prospects I was getting excited the prospect of what

getting excited the prospect of what

getting excited the prospect of what became looking highly likely and

became looking highly likely and

became looking highly likely and obviously did become like me becoming an

obviously did become like me becoming an

obviously did become like me becoming an Olympian going to Rio and getting a

Olympian going to Rio and getting a

Olympian going to Rio and getting a bronze medal with the relay team which

bronze medal with the relay team which

bronze medal with the relay team which is obviously so special but also looking

is obviously so special but also looking

is obviously so special but also looking to kind of do my country proud in front

to kind of do my country proud in front

to kind of do my country proud in front of the whole nation in London 2017 so

of the whole nation in London 2017 so

of the whole nation in London 2017 so you can imagine I’ve been dreaming and

you can imagine I’ve been dreaming and

you can imagine I’ve been dreaming and this has been my motivation day and day

this has been my motivation day and day

this has been my motivation day and day out throughout my training sessions for

out throughout my training sessions for

out throughout my training sessions for four to five years and then five months

four to five years and then five months

four to five years and then five months beforehand in the lapse of concentration

beforehand in the lapse of concentration

beforehand in the lapse of concentration I fractured my foot I hit my foot on the

I fractured my foot I hit my foot on the

I fractured my foot I hit my foot on the underside of a bench when I was doing a

underside of a bench when I was doing a

underside of a bench when I was doing a plyometric jump and I fractured my

plyometric jump and I fractured my

plyometric jump and I fractured my navicular clean straight in half

navicular clean straight in half

navicular clean straight in half obviously I would require surgery and

obviously I would require surgery and

obviously I would require surgery and I’m sure at the real society science you

I’m sure at the real society science you

I’m sure at the real society science you guys know that if you especially as a

guys know that if you especially as a

guys know that if you especially as a sprinter a power sport any foot in your

sprinter a power sport any foot in your

sprinter a power sport any foot in your foot any bone in your foot that you

foot any bone in your foot that you

foot any bone in your foot that you don’t want to break it’s the navicular

don’t want to break it’s the navicular

don’t want to break it’s the navicular and I was

and I was

and I was wasted probably having a year out

wasted probably having a year out

wasted probably having a year out certainly I was told certainly not

certainly I was told certainly not

certainly I was told certainly not making the Athletics Championships

making the Athletics Championships

making the Athletics Championships highly unlikely they said you’re gonna

highly unlikely they said you’re gonna

highly unlikely they said you’re gonna make the ethics championships and just

make the ethics championships and just

make the ethics championships and just failure that was what was going through

failure that was what was going through

failure that was what was going through my mind at that point failure I had this

my mind at that point failure I had this

my mind at that point failure I had this dream for four to five years and

dream for four to five years and

dream for four to five years and suddenly in a lapse of concentration

suddenly in a lapse of concentration

suddenly in a lapse of concentration everything that I’d worked for

everything that I’d worked for

everything that I’d worked for everything that I kind of dreamt about

everything that I kind of dreamt about

everything that I kind of dreamt about was just taken away and they said maybe

was just taken away and they said maybe

was just taken away and they said maybe you might be able to physically run you

you might be able to physically run you

you might be able to physically run you might have like the strength to run by

might have like the strength to run by

might have like the strength to run by time August comes in five months but you

time August comes in five months but you

time August comes in five months but you definitely won’t be in any shape to

definitely won’t be in any shape to

definitely won’t be in any shape to sprint never mind being world class

sprint never mind being world class

sprint never mind being world class never mind being able to represent great

never mind being able to represent great

never mind being able to represent great bit and will compete with the best in

bit and will compete with the best in

bit and will compete with the best in the world and when they say that failure

the world and when they say that failure

the world and when they say that failure I remember people just being like I just

I remember people just being like I just

I remember people just being like I just remember thinking failure failure I’ve

remember thinking failure failure I’ve

remember thinking failure failure I’ve been dreaming this I’ve been thinking

been dreaming this I’ve been thinking

been dreaming this I’ve been thinking about it’s been my motivation how can I

about it’s been my motivation how can I

about it’s been my motivation how can I not go I just didn’t understand the fact

not go I just didn’t understand the fact

not go I just didn’t understand the fact that I wasn’t going to be there not

that I wasn’t going to be there not

that I wasn’t going to be there not because I was silly I didn’t understand

because I was silly I didn’t understand

because I was silly I didn’t understand the situation I was in I very much

the situation I was in I very much

the situation I was in I very much understood what was going on with my

understood what was going on with my

understood what was going on with my foot but I wasn’t going to let anybody

foot but I wasn’t going to let anybody

foot but I wasn’t going to let anybody kind of tell me what I was going to

kind of tell me what I was going to

kind of tell me what I was going to happen in five months time

happen in five months time

happen in five months time five months time when I’ve been dreaming

five months time when I’ve been dreaming

five months time when I’ve been dreaming about something for five years I was not

about something for five years I was not

about something for five years I was not going to allow myself to fail I promise

going to allow myself to fail I promise

going to allow myself to fail I promise to myself that I was going to exhaust

to myself that I was going to exhaust

to myself that I was going to exhaust all possibility I was going to work as

all possibility I was going to work as

all possibility I was going to work as hard as I could to not fail at something

hard as I could to not fail at something

hard as I could to not fail at something that I’d said and if I did still fail

that I’d said and if I did still fail

that I’d said and if I did still fail because obviously fail it isn’t it isn’t

because obviously fail it isn’t it isn’t

because obviously fail it isn’t it isn’t it at all sometimes then I could hand on

it at all sometimes then I could hand on

it at all sometimes then I could hand on heart just say look it was a big ask but

heart just say look it was a big ask but

heart just say look it was a big ask but at least I tried but so because I was

at least I tried but so because I was

at least I tried but so because I was trying from then on I was crazy to so

trying from then on I was crazy to so

trying from then on I was crazy to so many people here was I 21 year old women

many people here was I 21 year old women

many people here was I 21 year old women kind of going against what everybody was

kind of going against what everybody was

kind of going against what everybody was telling me in deciding valiantly that I

telling me in deciding valiantly that I

telling me in deciding valiantly that I was going to be in the world of that

was going to be in the world of that

was going to be in the world of that exchange ifs at that point I was so

exchange ifs at that point I was so

exchange ifs at that point I was so grateful to have more obviously my

grateful to have more obviously my

grateful to have more obviously my friends and my family but for incredibly

friends and my family but for incredibly

friends and my family but for incredibly intelligent and bright and talented

intelligent and bright and talented

intelligent and bright and talented people or my coach my boat my track

people or my coach my boat my track

people or my coach my boat my track coach my strength and conditioning coach

coach my strength and conditioning coach

coach my strength and conditioning coach and my two physios who probably were the

and my two physios who probably were the

and my two physios who probably were the only people when I was still in crutches

only people when I was still in crutches

only people when I was still in crutches still hazy from the anesthetic also

still hazy from the anesthetic also

still hazy from the anesthetic also trying to write my dissertation because

trying to write my dissertation because

trying to write my dissertation because that was just a hectic time of year and

that was just a hectic time of year and

that was just a hectic time of year and I know it wasn’t much fun and I said by

I know it wasn’t much fun and I said by

I know it wasn’t much fun and I said by the way I am going to be a nun that I’m

the way I am going to be a nun that I’m

the way I am going to be a nun that I’m going to want a medal and they didn’t

going to want a medal and they didn’t

going to want a medal and they didn’t try and dissuade me they didn’t try and

try and dissuade me they didn’t try and

try and dissuade me they didn’t try and tell me what are you thinking they just

tell me what are you thinking they just

tell me what are you thinking they just looked at me they said Dina you love to

looked at me they said Dina you love to

looked at me they said Dina you love to make our lives difficult but okay

make our lives difficult but okay

make our lives difficult but okay and training for the water police

and training for the water police

and training for the water police championships alongside trying to

championships alongside trying to

championships alongside trying to complete history degree at Kings it was

complete history degree at Kings it was

complete history degree at Kings it was mentally and physically exhausting there

mentally and physically exhausting there

mentally and physically exhausting there was times when I take my kind of

was times when I take my kind of

was times when I take my kind of physical ability for granted you know

physical ability for granted you know

physical ability for granted you know when you just jump over puddles you run

when you just jump over puddles you run

when you just jump over puddles you run for a bus and you don’t think about it

for a bus and you don’t think about it

for a bus and you don’t think about it so the time when I had to walking was a

so the time when I had to walking was a

so the time when I had to walking was a challenge I had to retrain myself to

challenge I had to retrain myself to

challenge I had to retrain myself to walk to jog to sprint and I had to tell

walk to jog to sprint and I had to tell

walk to jog to sprint and I had to tell myself how to hop around in a circle

myself how to hop around in a circle

myself how to hop around in a circle again which sounds so ridiculous but my

again which sounds so ridiculous but my

again which sounds so ridiculous but my brain and my car from my foot just

brain and my car from my foot just

brain and my car from my foot just weren’t connecting and ten weeks before

weren’t connecting and ten weeks before

weren’t connecting and ten weeks before the world of FedEx Championships I

the world of FedEx Championships I

the world of FedEx Championships I sprinted for the first time just ten

sprinted for the first time just ten

sprinted for the first time just ten weeks and I was so unbelievably happy

weeks and I was so unbelievably happy

weeks and I was so unbelievably happy eight weeks before the Athletics

eight weeks before the Athletics

eight weeks before the Athletics Championships I put on spikes which is

Championships I put on spikes which is

Championships I put on spikes which is obviously essential to any sprinter and

obviously essential to any sprinter and

obviously essential to any sprinter and and that was two weeks before the trials

and that was two weeks before the trials

and that was two weeks before the trials and I remember going into the trials and

and I remember going into the trials and

and I remember going into the trials and I ran it was in lots of pain I’ve

I ran it was in lots of pain I’ve

I ran it was in lots of pain I’ve definitely wasn’t fit I ran half a

definitely wasn’t fit I ran half a

definitely wasn’t fit I ran half a second down on what I would normally run

second down on what I would normally run

second down on what I would normally run which is obviously huge and athletics

which is obviously huge and athletics

which is obviously huge and athletics terms but it was a start I wasn’t

terms but it was a start I wasn’t

terms but it was a start I wasn’t running quickly but it was a start the

running quickly but it was a start the

running quickly but it was a start the conditions for me to go to London is I

conditions for me to go to London is I

conditions for me to go to London is I had to show some sort of form so by

had to show some sort of form so by

had to show some sort of form so by running after a fraction of it clear in

running after a fraction of it clear in

running after a fraction of it clear in surgery hey I should form so so those

surgery hey I should form so so those

surgery hey I should form so so those electors have faith in me and they

electors have faith in me and they

electors have faith in me and they selected me for the Athletics

selected me for the Athletics

selected me for the Athletics Championships and then focus from then

Championships and then focus from then

Championships and then focus from then on was not just being healthy it was not

on was not just being healthy it was not

on was not just being healthy it was not just running painlessly but it was being

just running painlessly but it was being

just running painlessly but it was being world-class it was being as close to my

world-class it was being as close to my

world-class it was being as close to my best as possible so many people have

best as possible so many people have

best as possible so many people have told me oh my god is so good that you’re

told me oh my god is so good that you’re

told me oh my god is so good that you’re running if it’s so positive it’s great

running if it’s so positive it’s great

running if it’s so positive it’s great but I wasn’t in the business of just

but I wasn’t in the business of just

but I wasn’t in the business of just being positive I don’t go into

being positive I don’t go into

being positive I don’t go into Championships to just make up the

Championships to just make up the

Championships to just make up the numbers if I’m there I want to be the

numbers if I’m there I want to be the

numbers if I’m there I want to be the best that I can be and London was no

best that I can be and London was no

best that I can be and London was no different so I remember training and

different so I remember training and

different so I remember training and doing the most horribly disgusting

doing the most horribly disgusting

doing the most horribly disgusting training sessions in the weeks leading

training sessions in the weeks leading

training sessions in the weeks leading up to London normally with when I’d had

up to London normally with when I’d had

up to London normally with when I’d had the luxury of 10 to 11 months to Train

the luxury of 10 to 11 months to Train

the luxury of 10 to 11 months to Train we kind of chilling out doing a few more

we kind of chilling out doing a few more

we kind of chilling out doing a few more blocks running ten meters now and again

blocks running ten meters now and again

blocks running ten meters now and again but now I was running two fifties one

but now I was running two fifties one

but now I was running two fifties one 50s one 60s with 45 seconds recovery it

50s one 60s with 45 seconds recovery it

50s one 60s with 45 seconds recovery it was gross but yeah it was my coach

was gross but yeah it was my coach

was gross but yeah it was my coach probably see this and be like but it was

probably see this and be like but it was

probably see this and be like but it was very strong but I remember when I walked

very strong but I remember when I walked

very strong but I remember when I walked into the stadium that day when it was my

into the stadium that day when it was my

into the stadium that day when it was my heat I was just wholeheartedly grateful

heat I was just wholeheartedly grateful

heat I was just wholeheartedly grateful to be there obviously I’m always

to be there obviously I’m always

to be there obviously I’m always grateful when I put on my vests but

grateful when I put on my vests but

grateful when I put on my vests but after knowing that it was so close

after knowing that it was so close

after knowing that it was so close being taken away from me I was so

being taken away from me I was so

being taken away from me I was so grateful so then I went obviously I had

grateful so then I went obviously I had

grateful so then I went obviously I had to throw that out because I’ve got a job

to throw that out because I’ve got a job

to throw that out because I’ve got a job to do I went and won my heat I qualified

to do I went and won my heat I qualified

to do I went and won my heat I qualified for the final and at that point I’d

for the final and at that point I’d

for the final and at that point I’d surpassed my own personal expectations

surpassed my own personal expectations

surpassed my own personal expectations because well of course I want to go

because well of course I want to go

because well of course I want to go their own medal but realistically being

their own medal but realistically being

their own medal but realistically being there making the final was absolutely

there making the final was absolutely

there making the final was absolutely amazing

amazing

amazing and then somehow just using the crowd

and then somehow just using the crowd

and then somehow just using the crowd and just really digging deep inside me

and just really digging deep inside me

and just really digging deep inside me and saying to myself that I’m gonna go

and saying to myself that I’m gonna go

and saying to myself that I’m gonna go for this I managed to run half a second

for this I managed to run half a second

for this I managed to run half a second faster than I had all year first and I

faster than I had all year first and I

faster than I had all year first and I ran the Rio Olympics I know this is

ran the Rio Olympics I know this is

ran the Rio Olympics I know this is crazy

crazy

crazy but and I came fourth by eight

but and I came fourth by eight

but and I came fourth by eight hundredths of a second I was so close to

hundredths of a second I was so close to

hundredths of a second I was so close to getting a medal individually obviously

getting a medal individually obviously

getting a medal individually obviously we went on to win a silver medal in the

we went on to win a silver medal in the

we went on to win a silver medal in the relay which was absolutely incredible

relay which was absolutely incredible

relay which was absolutely incredible but individually I was so close

but individually I was so close

but individually I was so close and I think I was within 15 hundredths

and I think I was within 15 hundredths

and I think I was within 15 hundredths of winning the entire Championships

of winning the entire Championships

of winning the entire Championships obviously there’s several girls there

obviously there’s several girls there

obviously there’s several girls there somewhat saying uh-oh but you did get

somewhat saying uh-oh but you did get

somewhat saying uh-oh but you did get why me and but that’s quite rare

why me and but that’s quite rare

why me and but that’s quite rare considering the journey went on five

considering the journey went on five

considering the journey went on five months earlier I broke my foot couldn’t

months earlier I broke my foot couldn’t

months earlier I broke my foot couldn’t run before ten weeks and all the other

run before ten weeks and all the other

run before ten weeks and all the other girls have been training for ten to

girls have been training for ten to

girls have been training for ten to eleven months that was quite rare and

eleven months that was quite rare and

eleven months that was quite rare and that’s what I’d kind of like to leave

that’s what I’d kind of like to leave

that’s what I’d kind of like to leave you with the fact is that my fear of

you with the fact is that my fear of

you with the fact is that my fear of failure my deep-rooted fear of failure

failure my deep-rooted fear of failure

failure my deep-rooted fear of failure gave me an inability to be complacent

gave me an inability to be complacent

gave me an inability to be complacent I wouldn’t settle for other people’s

I wouldn’t settle for other people’s

I wouldn’t settle for other people’s limits and I don’t settle for other

limits and I don’t settle for other

limits and I don’t settle for other people’s limits because I’m sure all in

people’s limits because I’m sure all in

people’s limits because I’m sure all in this room you people have told you you

this room you people have told you you

this room you people have told you you can’t do things but then you’ve got and

can’t do things but then you’ve got and

can’t do things but then you’ve got and proved them wrong I love a challenge we

proved them wrong I love a challenge we

proved them wrong I love a challenge we should all love challenges and therefore

should all love challenges and therefore

should all love challenges and therefore we should we should fear not being able

we should we should fear not being able

we should we should fear not being able to achieve the dreams that we want

to achieve the dreams that we want

to achieve the dreams that we want simply because it makes us work harder

simply because it makes us work harder

simply because it makes us work harder it makes us efficient it makes it made

it makes us efficient it makes it made

it makes us efficient it makes it made every single part of my rehabilitation

every single part of my rehabilitation

every single part of my rehabilitation done was done perfectly it was done

done was done perfectly it was done

done was done perfectly it was done through the timings that I needed

through the timings that I needed

through the timings that I needed because every single now I’d say every

because every single now I’d say every

because every single now I’d say every single now in the head if I wanted to be

single now in the head if I wanted to be

single now in the head if I wanted to be in the best shape I could be in London

in the best shape I could be in London

in the best shape I could be in London so I’d like to leave you with a final

so I’d like to leave you with a final

so I’d like to leave you with a final thought understand that of course

thought understand that of course

thought understand that of course failure is inevitable in life and of

failure is inevitable in life and of

failure is inevitable in life and of course it is essential for growth and

course it is essential for growth and

course it is essential for growth and you need it but also use a healthy fear

you need it but also use a healthy fear

you need it but also use a healthy fear of it to motivate you to achieve things

of it to motivate you to achieve things

of it to motivate you to achieve things that you didn’t even think we’re

that you didn’t even think we’re

that you didn’t even think we’re possible

possible

possible don’t settle for other people’s limits

don’t settle for other people’s limits

don’t settle for other people’s limits simply because they don’t know you they

simply because they don’t know you they

simply because they don’t know you they don’t know what you have inside you they

don’t know what you have inside you they

don’t know what you have inside you they don’t know kind of what drives you every

don’t know kind of what drives you every

don’t know kind of what drives you every day or why you’re doing it but just make

day or why you’re doing it but just make

day or why you’re doing it but just make sure you make you go out there and give

sure you make you go out there and give

sure you make you go out there and give everything

everything

everything or because everything becomes possible

or because everything becomes possible

or because everything becomes possible once it’s done so thank you

once it’s done so thank you

once it’s done so thank you [Applause]

”

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