Vanessa Wallace: Becoming a Paralympian - The Power of Yes, Red Lipstick and a Tweet

This is Disruption

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How does one become a Paralympian? Vanessa Wallace's answer might surprise you: "Red lipstick, a tweet, and a year of saying yes."
I was lucky to speak with the incredible Vanessa Warner, a former Paralympian, who shares the journey that took her from facing serious health challenges to representing Great Britain at the Paralympic Games. This was a deeply moving conversation, I had goosebumps during the interview and got very teary whilst editing it in a coffee shop. Growing up in North London, Vanessa was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and dystonia – conditions that changed her life trajectory. However, through what she describes as a series of fortunate encounters and a commitment to saying "yes" to new opportunities, she discovered a path to elite sports that nobody (including herself) could have predicted.
Vanessa's story is especially interesting as she's never considering herself naturally competitive. She instead developed a strategy focused on tiny, manageable goals rather than overwhelming four-year Paralympic cycles. "Can I get through today? Can I figure out what I need to do today to do tomorrow?" This perspective not only carried her through eight years as an elite athlete but continues to influence her work as a professional development coach and storytelling facilitator today.
The conversation explores the vital importance of community support, representation in Paralympic sports, and the power of embracing your unique differences. Vanessa's "Turn Up Your Volume" storytelling workshops now help others discover their authentic voices and share their stories effectively. As she powerfully states, "Your differences are your superpower" which I know is a message that will resonate whether you're an athlete, creative, or corporate professional.
Vanessa is such a special women and she truly lights up every room she's in. Follow Vanessa @freshness_uk on social platforms and discover how your story, authentically told, is exactly what the world needs to hear.

Vanessa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshnessuk/

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1. Vanessa Wallace: Becoming a Paralympian - The Power of Yes, Red Lipstick and a Tweet (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Disruption Podcast (00:00:16)

3. Meet Vanessa Wallet: Paralympic Athlete (00:01:13)

4. Growing Up and Early Life Challenges (00:06:27)

5. The Path to Paralympic Sports (00:15:21)

6. Building Community and Finding Support (00:23:11)

7. Storytelling and Turning Up Your Volume (00:36:49)

8. Representation in Paralympic Sports (00:46:04)

9. Advice for Aspiring Para-Athletes (00:51:28)

10. Closing Remarks and Contact Information (00:57:19)