Hannah knows what it takes to follow her dreams, and has always lived by her Uncle’s motto “never give up”.
At 13 years old, she became the youngest ever winner of the BT Young Sailor of the Year award for her achievements at the Mirror World Championships.
Aged 15 she received a phone call that changed the direction of her life. Andy Cassell, the Atlanta Gold medalist in the Sonar class opened her eyes to disability sailing, which she had previously thought of as the weaker option.
After winning the bronze medal at the World Championships, her team was selected above her childhood hero and mentor, Andy Cassell which sent her to her first Paralympic Games - Athens 2004!
During this podcast we learn more about the setbacks she’s had to face, how she has dealt with failure and crushing disappointments. Throughout it all she has kept moving forward with pure grit and determination.
After listening to Hannah you will be inspired to take on your own personal challenge.
Listen Now!
Show notes
Going back to her childhood and understanding what it was like for her growing up
What she loved about sailing & how sailing changed her perception of herself.
Going off to military school at young age & what she’s learned from that experience
Growing up with her disability and dealing with bullies
Making the Youth Squad in sailing
Winning the Young Sailor of the Year Award when she was 13 years old!
Knowing that sailing was going to be in her future
Dealing with the pressure of coming from a sailing family
Thinking that Paralympian sailing was the weaker option and how her mind got changed.
Deciding to leave university after 2 years and focus on the Athens campaign
Beating her childhood hero & mentor at the 2003 World Championships
The mental preparation while competing at an elite level
The Chimp Paradox and exercising the chimp!
Racing & competing in China
Race tactics & why it’s a balancing act
Losing a medal at the London Olympics 2012
16 years of sailing and the reason she sails
Her preparation for Rio
What she does to get ready before a race
2 bad days on the water at Rio and having to fight back to Bronze position, before losing out to a disqualification
Dealing with the loss
What’s the extra one percent and why you have to fight to the end - no matter what
The closing party in Rio!
What sailing has taught her
Sailing has been dropped from the Paralympics in Tokyo 2020
The Vendee Globe 2020 Challenge!
Final words of advice to motivate & inspire you!
Learn more about Hannah by visiting her website - & say hi to her on twitter @SailingHannah. I’m also on twitter @_TOUGH_GIRL
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