7. Ellie Simmonds OBE – multiple Paralympic gold medallist, British swimmer and documentary maker

When Life Gives You Lemons

Ellie Simmonds OBE is a former Paralympic British swimmer. In 2008, at the young age of only 13, she won 2 gold medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games.Four years later, in her home games in London she won another 2 gold medals and set a world record time. She wasn’t finished though…because then in 2016 at the Rio Paralympic games she won another gold medal, setting her second world record in the pool.Not only is Ellie a swimming legend but since retiring from sport last year, she has forged a successful career in the media, making documentaries, broadcasting on major sporting events, dancing on BBC’s strictly come dancing and she is also an advocate for representation across disability.
In this chat, Ellie demonstrates how from a young age, despite the fact that she was born with Achondroplasia, she has displayed a true champion mindset, which has enabled her to break down barriers and achieve her goals. We discuss the challenges she has faced retiring from her sport and how she has found the motivation to strive forwards into the next chapter of her life.