okay so as it quite rightly says up there I am a boxer and I’m definitely a
there I am a boxer and I’m definitely a
there I am a boxer and I’m definitely a dreamer well it doesn’t say is I’m also
dreamer well it doesn’t say is I’m also
dreamer well it doesn’t say is I’m also a musician so sin is the theme that I’ve
a musician so sin is the theme that I’ve
a musician so sin is the theme that I’ve been given to talk about today it’s
been given to talk about today it’s
been given to talk about today it’s means performance anxiety I thought was
means performance anxiety I thought was
means performance anxiety I thought was only fair and right that I began with my
only fair and right that I began with my
only fair and right that I began with my own performance I was the right reaction
own performance I was the right reaction
own performance I was the right reaction by the way because obviously I can’t
by the way because obviously I can’t
by the way because obviously I can’t play the guitar and I think by most
play the guitar and I think by most
play the guitar and I think by most people’s standards that that was a
people’s standards that that was a
people’s standards that that was a little bit of a little bit of a fail and
little bit of a little bit of a fail and
little bit of a little bit of a fail and now it’s a bit odd that I could stand on
now it’s a bit odd that I could stand on
now it’s a bit odd that I could stand on its head stage at the Royal Northern
its head stage at the Royal Northern
its head stage at the Royal Northern College of Music no less and be rubbish
College of Music no less and be rubbish
College of Music no less and be rubbish at playing a musical instrument and yet
at playing a musical instrument and yet
at playing a musical instrument and yet I wasn’t nervous before it and the fact
I wasn’t nervous before it and the fact
I wasn’t nervous before it and the fact that you’re also thinking I’m rubbish at
that you’re also thinking I’m rubbish at
that you’re also thinking I’m rubbish at playing the guitar doesn’t bother me in
playing the guitar doesn’t bother me in
playing the guitar doesn’t bother me in the slightest not one bit
the slightest not one bit
the slightest not one bit how can that be well that’s because and
how can that be well that’s because and
how can that be well that’s because and it brings me to the first point really
it brings me to the first point really
it brings me to the first point really about performance anxiety that we get
about performance anxiety that we get
about performance anxiety that we get nervous and anxious about performance
nervous and anxious about performance
nervous and anxious about performance when it really really matters to us when
when it really really matters to us when
when it really really matters to us when it has deep meaning to us so if you all
it has deep meaning to us so if you all
it has deep meaning to us so if you all leave here today thinking I’m rubbish at
leave here today thinking I’m rubbish at
leave here today thinking I’m rubbish at playing the guitar that’s okay however
playing the guitar that’s okay however
playing the guitar that’s okay however if you were to come on watch me box in
if you were to come on watch me box in
if you were to come on watch me box in doing the thing that I dedicate my life
doing the thing that I dedicate my life
doing the thing that I dedicate my life to being as good as a compostable beer
to being as good as a compostable beer
to being as good as a compostable beer and you left there thinking I was
and you left there thinking I was
and you left there thinking I was rubbish at that it had really really
rubbish at that it had really really
rubbish at that it had really really bother me there are loads and loads of
bother me there are loads and loads of
bother me there are loads and loads of risks involved with performance whether
risks involved with performance whether
risks involved with performance whether it’s performing as a sports person a
it’s performing as a sports person a
it’s performing as a sports person a musician in business or in all the other
musician in business or in all the other
musician in business or in all the other areas of life that would perform risks
areas of life that would perform risks
areas of life that would perform risks of the heartbreak of injury like most
of the heartbreak of injury like most
of the heartbreak of injury like most athletes have been through losing being
athletes have been through losing being
athletes have been through losing being badly beaten but it’s worth it because
badly beaten but it’s worth it because
badly beaten but it’s worth it because the rewards can be immense and I think
the rewards can be immense and I think
the rewards can be immense and I think it’s a real tragedy at times that people
it’s a real tragedy at times that people
it’s a real tragedy at times that people are put off from even trying things in
are put off from even trying things in
are put off from even trying things in the first place because of the risks
the first place because of the risks
the first place because of the risks that are involved this is my niece
that are involved this is my niece
that are involved this is my niece Ruby and now they say that we’re born
Ruby and now they say that we’re born
Ruby and now they say that we’re born fearless and there’s that saying isn’t
fearless and there’s that saying isn’t
fearless and there’s that saying isn’t that what would you do if you didn’t
that what would you do if you didn’t
that what would you do if you didn’t have any fear well if you didn’t have
have any fear well if you didn’t have
have any fear well if you didn’t have any fear at all you’d probably be dead
any fear at all you’d probably be dead
any fear at all you’d probably be dead because you wouldn’t feel a thing
because you wouldn’t feel a thing
because you wouldn’t feel a thing because it’s natural for human beings to
because it’s natural for human beings to
because it’s natural for human beings to feel fear we should ask
feel fear we should ask
feel fear we should ask what we can do anyway the spite feel and
what we can do anyway the spite feel and
what we can do anyway the spite feel and fear my little niece did feel fear on
fear my little niece did feel fear on
fear my little niece did feel fear on the edge of that diving board but I
the edge of that diving board but I
the edge of that diving board but I think she’d been stood there that long
think she’d been stood there that long
think she’d been stood there that long curious and wondering what was going to
curious and wondering what was going to
curious and wondering what was going to happen that she went for it anyway
happen that she went for it anyway
happen that she went for it anyway now we’re all old enough to know what
now we’re all old enough to know what
now we’re all old enough to know what happened next a brutal belly flop
happened next a brutal belly flop
happened next a brutal belly flop chlorine snot tears water everywhere I
chlorine snot tears water everywhere I
chlorine snot tears water everywhere I bought I think this picture beautifully
bought I think this picture beautifully
bought I think this picture beautifully captures the moment where she was in
captures the moment where she was in
captures the moment where she was in fearless moment of performance which we
fearless moment of performance which we
fearless moment of performance which we all strive for the irony of preparing
all strive for the irony of preparing
all strive for the irony of preparing for this talk was that I was preparing
for this talk was that I was preparing
for this talk was that I was preparing for the most nerve-wracking performance
for the most nerve-wracking performance
for the most nerve-wracking performance of my life which is my professional
of my life which is my professional
of my life which is my professional debut every time I went to put pen to
debut every time I went to put pen to
debut every time I went to put pen to paper I was kind of looking something
paper I was kind of looking something
paper I was kind of looking something like this because like the nerves were
like this because like the nerves were
like this because like the nerves were actually happening at the time was I was
actually happening at the time was I was
actually happening at the time was I was feeling sick my legs were like jelly
feeling sick my legs were like jelly
feeling sick my legs were like jelly but it helped me because it was more
but it helped me because it was more
but it helped me because it was more vivid I wasn’t having to reflect on what
vivid I wasn’t having to reflect on what
vivid I wasn’t having to reflect on what my last set of nerves was like I was
my last set of nerves was like I was
my last set of nerves was like I was living it there and then and whilst it
living it there and then and whilst it
living it there and then and whilst it was going through those very
was going through those very
was going through those very uncomfortable feelings of nerves and
uncomfortable feelings of nerves and
uncomfortable feelings of nerves and anxiety I reminded myself of this photo
anxiety I reminded myself of this photo
anxiety I reminded myself of this photo this is me in the gym that’s my dad
this is me in the gym that’s my dad
this is me in the gym that’s my dad sparring and and I loved everything
sparring and and I loved everything
sparring and and I loved everything about my sport absolutely loved it I did
about my sport absolutely loved it I did
about my sport absolutely loved it I did everything that all the boys did but I
everything that all the boys did but I
everything that all the boys did but I wasn’t allowed to box because at the
wasn’t allowed to box because at the
wasn’t allowed to box because at the time it was banned for females so this
time it was banned for females so this
time it was banned for females so this is what I had to do a lot of the time
is what I had to do a lot of the time
is what I had to do a lot of the time was stand back and watch and I’d have
was stand back and watch and I’d have
was stand back and watch and I’d have given anything for the chance of the box
given anything for the chance of the box
given anything for the chance of the box so when I was being nervous and whining
so when I was being nervous and whining
so when I was being nervous and whining and complaining about these horrible
and complaining about these horrible
and complaining about these horrible nerves I reminded myself of that that at
nerves I reminded myself of that that at
nerves I reminded myself of that that at one time I’d have given anything for
one time I’d have given anything for
one time I’d have given anything for that opportunity and I wasn’t about to
that opportunity and I wasn’t about to
that opportunity and I wasn’t about to let fear stop me I needed to grab it
let fear stop me I needed to grab it
let fear stop me I needed to grab it with both hands it’s natural when we
with both hands it’s natural when we
with both hands it’s natural when we jump out of a comfort zone to feel fear
jump out of a comfort zone to feel fear
jump out of a comfort zone to feel fear it’s normal it doesn’t mean it’s a sign
it’s normal it doesn’t mean it’s a sign
it’s normal it doesn’t mean it’s a sign of weakness or we’re destined to fail it
of weakness or we’re destined to fail it
of weakness or we’re destined to fail it just means we’re human and it’s a normal
just means we’re human and it’s a normal
just means we’re human and it’s a normal function
function
function I’d like to share with you three
I’d like to share with you three
I’d like to share with you three examples of when I’ve pushed myself out
examples of when I’ve pushed myself out
examples of when I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone they’re very
of my comfort zone they’re very
of my comfort zone they’re very different examples but have the same
different examples but have the same
different examples but have the same fear involved this was in 2010 and I
fear involved this was in 2010 and I
fear involved this was in 2010 and I went to America to play football on
went to America to play football on
went to America to play football on what’s called a sports scholarship and
what’s called a sports scholarship and
what’s called a sports scholarship and you go and play football the University
you go and play football the University
you go and play football the University I had two hundred-pound in my pocket
I had two hundred-pound in my pocket
I had two hundred-pound in my pocket obviously I’ve never gone that far away
obviously I’ve never gone that far away
obviously I’ve never gone that far away from home before I had no idea what to
from home before I had no idea what to
from home before I had no idea what to expect I didn’t know anybody
expect I didn’t know anybody
expect I didn’t know anybody I was absolutely scared to death at the
I was absolutely scared to death at the
I was absolutely scared to death at the airport in my two cases not knowing what
airport in my two cases not knowing what
airport in my two cases not knowing what was going to happen I’m so glad I took
was going to happen I’m so glad I took
was going to happen I’m so glad I took that risk because it was worth the
that risk because it was worth the
that risk because it was worth the reward of having one of the best expert
reward of having one of the best expert
reward of having one of the best expert of my life a totally different
of my life a totally different
of my life a totally different experience was last year when me and my
experience was last year when me and my
experience was last year when me and my boyfriend went to the refugee camps at
boyfriend went to the refugee camps at
boyfriend went to the refugee camps at Calais and Dunkirk to do sporting
Calais and Dunkirk to do sporting
Calais and Dunkirk to do sporting activities with the children there and
activities with the children there and
activities with the children there and he the day we set off was the day that
he the day we set off was the day that
he the day we set off was the day that there were clothes in the camp and the
there were clothes in the camp and the
there were clothes in the camp and the amount of scaremongering in the media I
amount of scaremongering in the media I
amount of scaremongering in the media I can’t begin to tell you the abuse that
can’t begin to tell you the abuse that
can’t begin to tell you the abuse that we got on Twitter was unbelievable and
we got on Twitter was unbelievable and
we got on Twitter was unbelievable and we did have fears of course we did but
we did have fears of course we did but
we did have fears of course we did but we took the risk anyway and I’m so glad
we took the risk anyway and I’m so glad
we took the risk anyway and I’m so glad we did because the immense reward that
we did because the immense reward that
we did because the immense reward that we got was to connect with some of the
we got was to connect with some of the
we got was to connect with some of the most incredible children you could ever
most incredible children you could ever
most incredible children you could ever meet during that week and finally the
meet during that week and finally the
meet during that week and finally the most recent one was obviously making my
most recent one was obviously making my
most recent one was obviously making my professional debut and that put me way
professional debut and that put me way
professional debut and that put me way out of my comfort zone in a sporting
out of my comfort zone in a sporting
out of my comfort zone in a sporting context now I’m not an expert I’m not
context now I’m not an expert I’m not
context now I’m not an expert I’m not here as a psychologist or a sports
here as a psychologist or a sports
here as a psychologist or a sports psychologist or anything so all I want
psychologist or anything so all I want
psychologist or anything so all I want to do is share my personal experiences
to do is share my personal experiences
to do is share my personal experiences of nerves and anxiety and as a boxer I
of nerves and anxiety and as a boxer I
of nerves and anxiety and as a boxer I can assure you we have a very very
can assure you we have a very very
can assure you we have a very very intimate relationship with nerves and I
intimate relationship with nerves and I
intimate relationship with nerves and I can pretty much put them into three
can pretty much put them into three
can pretty much put them into three mountains if you like that I feel I have
mountains if you like that I feel I have
mountains if you like that I feel I have to overcome in order to perform at my
to overcome in order to perform at my
to overcome in order to perform at my best impostor syndrome demons and
best impostor syndrome demons and
best impostor syndrome demons and monsters and everybody on the planet
monsters and everybody on the planet
monsters and everybody on the planet slight exaggeration I had no idea what
slight exaggeration I had no idea what
slight exaggeration I had no idea what the impostor syndrome was as a 17 year
the impostor syndrome was as a 17 year
the impostor syndrome was as a 17 year old stood waiting to make my England
old stood waiting to make my England
old stood waiting to make my England debut and I stood there with my
debut and I stood there with my
debut and I stood there with my teammates with the three lines on my
teammates with the three lines on my
teammates with the three lines on my chest listening to the anthem I’ve
chest listening to the anthem I’ve
chest listening to the anthem I’ve dreamed about it many many times and it
dreamed about it many many times and it
dreamed about it many many times and it imagined it had been the most incredible
imagined it had been the most incredible
imagined it had been the most incredible feeling and in fact it wasn’t because it
feeling and in fact it wasn’t because it
feeling and in fact it wasn’t because it was bombarded with these impostor voices
was bombarded with these impostor voices
was bombarded with these impostor voices telling me what you do in here you
telling me what you do in here you
telling me what you do in here you deserve to be here
deserve to be here
deserve to be here you’re not as good as all of these
you’re not as good as all of these
you’re not as good as all of these people you’re not good enough to be here
people you’re not good enough to be here
people you’re not good enough to be here I didn’t know where it was coming from
I didn’t know where it was coming from
I didn’t know where it was coming from there were things I’ve never dream of
there were things I’ve never dream of
there were things I’ve never dream of saying to somebody else yet here was my
saying to somebody else yet here was my
saying to somebody else yet here was my own mind attacking me this imposter
own mind attacking me this imposter
own mind attacking me this imposter problem was something that was to
problem was something that was to
problem was something that was to plagued me for years and years and years
plagued me for years and years and years
plagued me for years and years and years every single achievement I had in sport
every single achievement I had in sport
every single achievement I had in sport came along and was kind of stained
came along and was kind of stained
came along and was kind of stained really by these impostor voices nowadays
really by these impostor voices nowadays
really by these impostor voices nowadays I like to characterize them I don’t know
I like to characterize them I don’t know
I like to characterize them I don’t know if everyone will remember these to sissy
if everyone will remember these to sissy
if everyone will remember these to sissy and ADA is less DOS and Android Barack
and ADA is less DOS and Android Barack
and ADA is less DOS and Android Barack refused to play these funny characters
refused to play these funny characters
refused to play these funny characters and they’d gossip from like ooh Ada and
and they’d gossip from like ooh Ada and
and they’d gossip from like ooh Ada and and that’s how I kind of imagined him
and that’s how I kind of imagined him
and that’s how I kind of imagined him now no I’ll kind of talk back to them
now no I’ll kind of talk back to them
now no I’ll kind of talk back to them and say see see ADA it’s okay
and say see see ADA it’s okay
and say see see ADA it’s okay of course I deserve this I’ve worked
of course I deserve this I’ve worked
of course I deserve this I’ve worked hard for it pipe down and I talk back to
hard for it pipe down and I talk back to
hard for it pipe down and I talk back to them there’s
them there’s
them there’s really nice way that the author
really nice way that the author
really nice way that the author Elizabeth Gilbert puts it for the
Elizabeth Gilbert puts it for the
Elizabeth Gilbert puts it for the imposter syndrome and she says it’s okay
imposter syndrome and she says it’s okay
imposter syndrome and she says it’s okay to give the imposters a seat in your car
to give the imposters a seat in your car
to give the imposters a seat in your car as a passenger but you mustn’t let them
as a passenger but you mustn’t let them
as a passenger but you mustn’t let them drive and that’s true you have to learn
drive and that’s true you have to learn
drive and that’s true you have to learn to live with them but for years I let
to live with them but for years I let
to live with them but for years I let them drive and the turning point for me
them drive and the turning point for me
them drive and the turning point for me was the European Championships in 2014
was the European Championships in 2014
was the European Championships in 2014 this is me on media day with the rest of
this is me on media day with the rest of
this is me on media day with the rest of the GB TAC team this is where you do
the GB TAC team this is where you do
the GB TAC team this is where you do interviews and everybody’s coming from
interviews and everybody’s coming from
interviews and everybody’s coming from the media and stuff like that but one
the media and stuff like that but one
the media and stuff like that but one time this would have been my own doing
time this would have been my own doing
time this would have been my own doing and I’d have been sat there thinking
and I’d have been sat there thinking
and I’d have been sat there thinking I’ve even got that track suit on what
I’ve even got that track suit on what
I’ve even got that track suit on what are you thinking there’s Olympians is
are you thinking there’s Olympians is
are you thinking there’s Olympians is that with a what you do it get out with
that with a what you do it get out with
that with a what you do it get out with a picture but I didn’t because before
a picture but I didn’t because before
a picture but I didn’t because before that tournament I decided no more I was
that tournament I decided no more I was
that tournament I decided no more I was going to learn how to live with these
going to learn how to live with these
going to learn how to live with these imposter voices that had plagued me and
imposter voices that had plagued me and
imposter voices that had plagued me and throughout the tournament with the help
throughout the tournament with the help
throughout the tournament with the help of the GB sports psychologists and the
of the GB sports psychologists and the
of the GB sports psychologists and the amazing team that they’ve got I was well
amazing team that they’ve got I was well
amazing team that they’ve got I was well prepared for every single fight and I
prepared for every single fight and I
prepared for every single fight and I did battle with the Impostors but I got
did battle with the Impostors but I got
did battle with the Impostors but I got through it and eventually I got to the
through it and eventually I got to the
through it and eventually I got to the final I can honestly tell you that when
final I can honestly tell you that when
final I can honestly tell you that when I was on the podium with the silver
I was on the podium with the silver
I was on the podium with the silver medal around my neck watching my
medal around my neck watching my
medal around my neck watching my country’s flag be raised I enjoyed every
country’s flag be raised I enjoyed every
country’s flag be raised I enjoyed every single second and I’ve never been able
single second and I’ve never been able
single second and I’ve never been able to say that before there was no voices
to say that before there was no voices
to say that before there was no voices fill in my head there was just an
fill in my head there was just an
fill in my head there was just an immense amount of pride filling my heart
immense amount of pride filling my heart
immense amount of pride filling my heart and it was amazing feeling so it can be
and it was amazing feeling so it can be
and it was amazing feeling so it can be done next is the demons and monsters
done next is the demons and monsters
done next is the demons and monsters these are these little gremlin things
these are these little gremlin things
these are these little gremlin things these little seeds of doubt that start
these little seeds of doubt that start
these little seeds of doubt that start in your mind and they get bigger and
in your mind and they get bigger and
in your mind and they get bigger and bigger and bigger until eventually they
bigger and bigger until eventually they
bigger and bigger until eventually they look something like this
look something like this
look something like this this happened to me at the tournament in
this happened to me at the tournament in
this happened to me at the tournament in Serbia and when you get to a tournament
Serbia and when you get to a tournament
Serbia and when you get to a tournament as a boxer you’re all sizing each other
as a boxer you’re all sizing each other
as a boxer you’re all sizing each other up is she my weight is she my weight I
up is she my weight is she my weight I
up is she my weight is she my weight I bet she is and they could be even bigger
bet she is and they could be even bigger
bet she is and they could be even bigger than you or small and you don’t really
than you or small and you don’t really
than you or small and you don’t really know but you constantly kind of trying
know but you constantly kind of trying
know but you constantly kind of trying to size him up and see so the morning of
to size him up and see so the morning of
to size him up and see so the morning of the draw I drew a Serbian and shortly
the draw I drew a Serbian and shortly
the draw I drew a Serbian and shortly after at the hotel I saw this woman in a
after at the hotel I saw this woman in a
after at the hotel I saw this woman in a Serbian top and I thought she’s my way
Serbian top and I thought she’s my way
Serbian top and I thought she’s my way it’s a no I was like sizing her up and
it’s a no I was like sizing her up and
it’s a no I was like sizing her up and thinking right I’m ready by the end of
thinking right I’m ready by the end of
thinking right I’m ready by the end of the day she got bigger and stronger and
the day she got bigger and stronger and
the day she got bigger and stronger and better and faster and tougher and in the
better and faster and tougher and in the
better and faster and tougher and in the end I might as well have been boxing
end I might as well have been boxing
end I might as well have been boxing this guy that’s how extreme it had got
this guy that’s how extreme it had got
this guy that’s how extreme it had got him in mind so next day after that would
him in mind so next day after that would
him in mind so next day after that would go to the weigh-in get back to the hotel
go to the weigh-in get back to the hotel
go to the weigh-in get back to the hotel and I see this Lane
and I see this Lane
and I see this Lane and she didn’t have that t-shirt on she
and she didn’t have that t-shirt on she
and she didn’t have that t-shirt on she had a uniform on she was a dinner lady
had a uniform on she was a dinner lady
had a uniform on she was a dinner lady she didn’t look like that by the way is
she didn’t look like that by the way is
she didn’t look like that by the way is a bit meaner looking than that but it
a bit meaner looking than that but it
a bit meaner looking than that but it just shows you and then it can be a bit
just shows you and then it can be a bit
just shows you and then it can be a bit ridiculous
ridiculous
ridiculous how your mind belongs things out of
how your mind belongs things out of
how your mind belongs things out of proportion and how it can fill you with
proportion and how it can fill you with
proportion and how it can fill you with fears that don’t actually even exist
fears that don’t actually even exist
fears that don’t actually even exist so I would recommend not to fight with
so I would recommend not to fight with
so I would recommend not to fight with these demons and monsters because we
these demons and monsters because we
these demons and monsters because we rarely win what I found useful though is
rarely win what I found useful though is
rarely win what I found useful though is to imagine Park in them so sometimes
to imagine Park in them so sometimes
to imagine Park in them so sometimes before a fight I’ll say look demons and
before a fight I’ll say look demons and
before a fight I’ll say look demons and monsters I know that you’re trying to
monsters I know that you’re trying to
monsters I know that you’re trying to warn me of danger and that’s your job
warn me of danger and that’s your job
warn me of danger and that’s your job but I’m good I’ve trained for this I’m
but I’m good I’ve trained for this I’m
but I’m good I’ve trained for this I’m prepared I’m ready so I’m just gonna
prepared I’m ready so I’m just gonna
prepared I’m ready so I’m just gonna pack you right there and I’ll see you
pack you right there and I’ll see you
pack you right there and I’ll see you after the fight because you cannot come
after the fight because you cannot come
after the fight because you cannot come into the ring with me and sometimes I
into the ring with me and sometimes I
into the ring with me and sometimes I embrace them because although they feel
embrace them because although they feel
embrace them because although they feel very very uncomfortable the sickness the
very very uncomfortable the sickness the
very very uncomfortable the sickness the jelly in your legs the butterflies in
jelly in your legs the butterflies in
jelly in your legs the butterflies in your tummy that’s what makes you sharp
your tummy that’s what makes you sharp
your tummy that’s what makes you sharp and reactive and perform at your very
and reactive and perform at your very
and reactive and perform at your very best so sometimes it’s worthwhile to
best so sometimes it’s worthwhile to
best so sometimes it’s worthwhile to embrace them the final one is everybody
embrace them the final one is everybody
embrace them the final one is everybody else on the planet and Wow do we worry
else on the planet and Wow do we worry
else on the planet and Wow do we worry about this all of the time it might be
about this all of the time it might be
about this all of the time it might be during a performance so you might be
during a performance so you might be
during a performance so you might be performing obviously a musical piece or
performing obviously a musical piece or
performing obviously a musical piece or you might be a sporting performer he
you might be a sporting performer he
you might be a sporting performer he might be given a talk like this and you
might be given a talk like this and you
might be given a talk like this and you might be thinking of people giving me
might be thinking of people giving me
might be thinking of people giving me eye contact or the laughing at the right
eye contact or the laughing at the right
eye contact or the laughing at the right time didn’t like me and the enjoying the
time didn’t like me and the enjoying the
time didn’t like me and the enjoying the talk of people asleep all of these
talk of people asleep all of these
talk of people asleep all of these things that we we just can’t possibly
things that we we just can’t possibly
things that we we just can’t possibly control then we’ll worry afterwards if
control then we’ll worry afterwards if
control then we’ll worry afterwards if people are out reviews or the
people are out reviews or the
people are out reviews or the commentators and pundits talking about
commentators and pundits talking about
commentators and pundits talking about what you’ve done and we worry we’ll
what you’ve done and we worry we’ll
what you’ve done and we worry we’ll worry about what everyone thinks and of
worry about what everyone thinks and of
worry about what everyone thinks and of course these days we have this element
course these days we have this element
course these days we have this element to worry about people on Twitter and
to worry about people on Twitter and
to worry about people on Twitter and I’ve been subjected to quite a bit of
I’ve been subjected to quite a bit of
I’ve been subjected to quite a bit of this from the really really silly things
this from the really really silly things
this from the really really silly things to some quite cruel and horrible things
to some quite cruel and horrible things
to some quite cruel and horrible things and I want to share one with you where
and I want to share one with you where
and I want to share one with you where it was a gentleman who shared his
it was a gentleman who shared his
it was a gentleman who shared his opinion with me that I shouldn’t be
opinion with me that I shouldn’t be
opinion with me that I shouldn’t be boxing and it’s strange being in a sport
boxing and it’s strange being in a sport
boxing and it’s strange being in a sport where people feel able all of the time
where people feel able all of the time
where people feel able all of the time to question whether you should be there
to question whether you should be there
to question whether you should be there or not based simply on you gender and so
or not based simply on you gender and so
or not based simply on you gender and so I said yeah I’ll just enjoy boxing he
I said yeah I’ll just enjoy boxing he
I said yeah I’ll just enjoy boxing he just happened to be a woman you know and
just happened to be a woman you know and
just happened to be a woman you know and he said what do you do and you’re not
he said what do you do and you’re not
he said what do you do and you’re not being offended and I said I’m winning
being offended and I said I’m winning
being offended and I said I’m winning medals for my country how about you but
medals for my country how about you but
medals for my country how about you but he didn’t reply to that one so when I
he didn’t reply to that one so when I
he didn’t reply to that one so when I read these things it gets me down as I’m
read these things it gets me down as I’m
read these things it gets me down as I’m sure it does for all of you and you
sure it does for all of you and you
sure it does for all of you and you tryna do your best and you’re trying to
tryna do your best and you’re trying to
tryna do your best and you’re trying to do positive things in the world and
do positive things in the world and
do positive things in the world and there’s people say negative stuff
there’s people say negative stuff
there’s people say negative stuff it does get you down but then I asked
it does get you down but then I asked
it does get you down but then I asked myself whose opinion counts now I know
myself whose opinion counts now I know
myself whose opinion counts now I know they’re not all Twitter trials will look
they’re not all Twitter trials will look
they’re not all Twitter trials will look like this but this is how I imagined him
like this but this is how I imagined him
like this but this is how I imagined him a creeper kind of person in a dark room
a creeper kind of person in a dark room
a creeper kind of person in a dark room with a pizza and an energy drink like
with a pizza and an energy drink like
with a pizza and an energy drink like typing nasty things and if that’s myself
typing nasty things and if that’s myself
typing nasty things and if that’s myself is this whose opinion counts well no not
is this whose opinion counts well no not
is this whose opinion counts well no not really and this brings me to the last
really and this brings me to the last
really and this brings me to the last bit which is for me the most important
bit which is for me the most important
bit which is for me the most important part of performance anxiety the why why
part of performance anxiety the why why
part of performance anxiety the why why we’re doing stuff so I want to share
we’re doing stuff so I want to share
we’re doing stuff so I want to share with you my way I want to win it’s the
with you my way I want to win it’s the
with you my way I want to win it’s the best feeling ever when you’ve challenged
best feeling ever when you’ve challenged
best feeling ever when you’ve challenged yourself pushed yourself this is me just
yourself pushed yourself this is me just
yourself pushed yourself this is me just after me pro debut I mean it only won
after me pro debut I mean it only won
after me pro debut I mean it only won one but you know it’s a long road to get
one but you know it’s a long road to get
one but you know it’s a long road to get there so I don’t mean moment and and
there so I don’t mean moment and and
there so I don’t mean moment and and it’s a euphoric feeling when the referee
it’s a euphoric feeling when the referee
it’s a euphoric feeling when the referee raised a hand it’s what all boxes live
raised a hand it’s what all boxes live
raised a hand it’s what all boxes live for and so I want to win that’s one of
for and so I want to win that’s one of
for and so I want to win that’s one of my wives I want to change things in my
my wives I want to change things in my
my wives I want to change things in my sport I came from starting out as a
sport I came from starting out as a
sport I came from starting out as a little girl who couldn’t compete in my
little girl who couldn’t compete in my
little girl who couldn’t compete in my sport because it was banned for women so
sport because it was banned for women so
sport because it was banned for women so having now represented my country and
having now represented my country and
having now represented my country and made a professional debut I want to keep
made a professional debut I want to keep
made a professional debut I want to keep being the driving force in my sport
being the driving force in my sport
being the driving force in my sport I was waiting four years for all the
I was waiting four years for all the
I was waiting four years for all the people to step up and be pioneers now I
people to step up and be pioneers now I
people to step up and be pioneers now I know that I’ve got to do it there’s
know that I’ve got to do it there’s
know that I’ve got to do it there’s little people I love looking up to me
little people I love looking up to me
little people I love looking up to me the little nieces Ruby analyser and my
the little nieces Ruby analyser and my
the little nieces Ruby analyser and my little sister poppy and I want to be a
little sister poppy and I want to be a
little sister poppy and I want to be a positive role model for them I want to
positive role model for them I want to
positive role model for them I want to make my family proud even the crazy ones
make my family proud even the crazy ones
make my family proud even the crazy ones you come to the airport to pick me up
you come to the airport to pick me up
you come to the airport to pick me up from the World Championships dressed as
from the World Championships dressed as
from the World Championships dressed as boxers even those ones the people who
boxers even those ones the people who
boxers even those ones the people who support me day in day out I want to make
support me day in day out I want to make
support me day in day out I want to make them proud I want to empower girls I got
them proud I want to empower girls I got
them proud I want to empower girls I got lots of messages from parents telling me
lots of messages from parents telling me
lots of messages from parents telling me their girls are told that they can’t do
their girls are told that they can’t do
their girls are told that they can’t do something other thing they can’t do
something other thing they can’t do
something other thing they can’t do something I want to be the example for
something I want to be the example for
something I want to be the example for them that they can I want to inspire
them that they can I want to inspire
them that they can I want to inspire people and have a positive impact and if
people and have a positive impact and if
people and have a positive impact and if we can do that
we can do that
we can do that it still is the greatest privilege for
it still is the greatest privilege for
it still is the greatest privilege for me as an athlete and a human being the
me as an athlete and a human being the
me as an athlete and a human being the projects have just so paved the way does
projects have just so paved the way does
projects have just so paved the way does exactly that it’s about encouraging
exactly that it’s about encouraging
exactly that it’s about encouraging girls and women to reach their potential
girls and women to reach their potential
girls and women to reach their potential through sport hopefully eventually
through sport hopefully eventually
through sport hopefully eventually posters like this will be the norm where
posters like this will be the norm where
posters like this will be the norm where there’s a female fighter featured on
there’s a female fighter featured on
there’s a female fighter featured on them and lastly I want to go back and
them and lastly I want to go back and
them and lastly I want to go back and tell her little me that I know she’s
tell her little me that I know she’s
tell her little me that I know she’s struggling at the minute with that name
struggling at the minute with that name
struggling at the minute with that name :
:
: boy tomboy shim shemale just because
boy tomboy shim shemale just because
boy tomboy shim shemale just because she’s doing sports that boys sports I
she’s doing sports that boys sports I
she’s doing sports that boys sports I don’t want to tell her I know you’ve
don’t want to tell her I know you’ve
don’t want to tell her I know you’ve been told
been told
been told there’s no girls teams for you you’re
there’s no girls teams for you you’re
there’s no girls teams for you you’re not allowed to play in the boys team
not allowed to play in the boys team
not allowed to play in the boys team you got allowed to box and later you’ll
you got allowed to box and later you’ll
you got allowed to box and later you’ll discover there’s no Olympic weight
discover there’s no Olympic weight
discover there’s no Olympic weight category for you
category for you
category for you there’s no Commonwealth game classic a
there’s no Commonwealth game classic a
there’s no Commonwealth game classic a few European game category for you and
few European game category for you and
few European game category for you and you can’t be a professional boxer either
you can’t be a professional boxer either
you can’t be a professional boxer either but I want to tell her keep taking those
but I want to tell her keep taking those
but I want to tell her keep taking those risks keep going because the reward will
risks keep going because the reward will
risks keep going because the reward will be worth it and in the end we will make
be worth it and in the end we will make
be worth it and in the end we will make it and we did and this is me coming out
it and we did and this is me coming out
it and we did and this is me coming out for the very first time as a
for the very first time as a
for the very first time as a professional boxer with two students
professional boxer with two students
professional boxer with two students from my school because I didn’t want
from my school because I didn’t want
from my school because I didn’t want bringing card girls and it was an
bringing card girls and it was an
bringing card girls and it was an amazing feeling throughout that week
amazing feeling throughout that week
amazing feeling throughout that week this quote really helped me by the great
this quote really helped me by the great
this quote really helped me by the great Muhammad Ali if he dreams don’t scare
Muhammad Ali if he dreams don’t scare
Muhammad Ali if he dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough well believe
you they’re not big enough well believe
you they’re not big enough well believe me I was scared that we scared to death
me I was scared that we scared to death
me I was scared that we scared to death had never felt pressure like it I’d
had never felt pressure like it I’d
had never felt pressure like it I’d never felt nerves like it well that’s
never felt nerves like it well that’s
never felt nerves like it well that’s what told me I was doing what I needed
what told me I was doing what I needed
what told me I was doing what I needed to be doing
to be doing
to be doing I was dreaming big enough and I was
I was dreaming big enough and I was
I was dreaming big enough and I was doing something that mattered and not
doing something that mattered and not
doing something that mattered and not just something that mattered to me but
just something that mattered to me but
just something that mattered to me but that mattered to my entire sport so I’d
that mattered to my entire sport so I’d
that mattered to my entire sport so I’d ask you when you leave today think about
ask you when you leave today think about
ask you when you leave today think about what’s your way what is it because don’t
what’s your way what is it because don’t
what’s your way what is it because don’t don’t allow fears to stop you from
don’t allow fears to stop you from
don’t allow fears to stop you from sharing your gifts what makes you unique
sharing your gifts what makes you unique
sharing your gifts what makes you unique with the world and don’t stop it don’t
with the world and don’t stop it don’t
with the world and don’t stop it don’t let it stop you from trying at all
let it stop you from trying at all
let it stop you from trying at all because that’s the worst thing ever just
because that’s the worst thing ever just
because that’s the worst thing ever just try and bear in mind if you can overcome
try and bear in mind if you can overcome
try and bear in mind if you can overcome those fears the rewards are worth it and
those fears the rewards are worth it and
those fears the rewards are worth it and honestly if you believe in your purpose
honestly if you believe in your purpose
honestly if you believe in your purpose enough and you’re passionate about it
enough and you’re passionate about it
enough and you’re passionate about it and you feel strongly enough about in
and you feel strongly enough about in
and you feel strongly enough about in it’s deep in your heart it will be a
it’s deep in your heart it will be a
it’s deep in your heart it will be a strong enough force to overcome any fear
strong enough force to overcome any fear
strong enough force to overcome any fear that you could have a face so please
that you could have a face so please
that you could have a face so please leave thinking about what’s your way and
leave thinking about what’s your way and
leave thinking about what’s your way and go on despite your fears and share your
go on despite your fears and share your
go on despite your fears and share your gifts with the world and inspire
gifts with the world and inspire
gifts with the world and inspire everybody else thank you very much
everybody else thank you very much
everybody else thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
”
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