
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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