Doing your best at any time doesn’t mean it’s going to be your best of all time
This week’s guest on Sparta Chicks Radio reminds me of why it’s so important to focus on the process and let go of our expectations about the outcomes.
Nicole Bradley joined the Australian Army at the age of 20 and served for 22 years.
And admits she ‘lost’ herself in the process.
However after leaving the Army, and at the age of 42, Nicole discovered the sport of powerlifting - and life hasn’t been the same since.
Nicole progressed quickly and set her 1st Australian Masters Record for the bench press (she now has 3 records) in her first competition!
Injuries acquired during her service in the Army meant Nicole was eligible to compete (and was selected) to represent Australia at the Warrior Games in the United States and in the 2018 Invictus Games held in Sydney.
The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women (both serving and veterans) that was spearheaded by HRH The Duke of Sussex.
And the honour didn’t stop there; much to her surprise, Nicole was appointed the co-captain of the 2018 Australian Invictus Games team!
That role meant, as you will hear in this conversation, she had the opportunity to meet Price Harry a number of times - which included together with teammates Dylan Alcott and Matt Model presenting Prince Harry with his very own pair of Budgy Smugglers (that’s Australian for men’s speed-style swimmers) which Price Harry prompted put on over his trousers in front of the cameras!. You can watch the video of the moment here.
In this conversation, Nicole and I discuss:
* the power of role models, including why children need to see adults participating in sport,
* the most important lesson she learnt during her time in the Army (and they are lessons we can all learn from),
* her experiences with anxiety, which resulted in her turning down the first invitation she received to attend an Invictus Games training and selection camp,
* the challenge associated with shifting identity from ‘Army Officer’ to ‘civilian’ and how she realised she had been viewing the world through a lens that didn’t always align with her views and values,
* what prompted her to take up powerlifting at 42,
* her experience of competing, and winning Gold at, the Warrior Games in the US which proved to be a pivotal moment for her,
* how the application process for the Invictus Games caused her to doubt whether her service was significant enough, her injuries were “bad enough” or if she was the right ‘fit’ for the team,
* the lack of appreciation for non-visible injuries,
* why it’s important to be proud and happy if you’ve done your best on the day (even if it’s not your best performance of all time).
* what she hopes her children have gained from watching her transformation (both physical and mental) over the last few years, and
* what ‘bravery’ means to her now.
Click here to listen on iTunes.
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