Aim, believe, smile, tips Olympian
IT’S one thing in life to have a major goal but setting short term milestones are the keys to everyday success – in life or business – said Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson OAM.
The gold and silver medallist said the secrets to achieving in sport can be applied to achieving in business, when she addressed the Bass Coast South Gippsland Business Alliance lunch at Manna-Gum@Broadbeach, Inverloch last Thursday.
Now a television host and motivational speaker, she credits setting goals, growing one’s capabilities, self belief, persistence, flexibility, and not being afraid of failure as vital to reaching one’s dreams.
To underpin her positive attitude, she smiles – constantly.
“I’m not anyone special. I’m just a normal Aussie girl with a strong will to win,” Ms Hanson said.
She always has a goal to aim for, whether it be for that day, week, month or beyond, but for the self proclaimed high achiever, her silver medal, not her gold, is her favourite.
It was Ms Hanson’s first Olympic medal and won for the 100m breaststroke at the Athens games in 2004.
“To me, that silver medal is my golden moment and my golden reward for not giving up on my dream,” she said.
Ms Hanson has endured many setbacks throughout her career: missing Olympic selection twice – including by 11 one hundredths of a second – illness and even a chlorine allergy.
She became an Olympian at 26, when many considered her to be too slow and not a real medal chance.
But from a field of 1000 swimmers vying to be named in the Australian Olympic squad, she made the final 42 and was just one of two female breaststrokers.
“You’re never too old to live your dream,” she said.
Ms Hanson made “winning choices, not sacrifices” as she set her sights on an Olympic medal.
She did an extra 100 push-ups and 200 sit-ups a day, and gave up chocolate, alcohol, junk food, cheese and ice cream in her bid to be in peak condition.
After making her debut for the Australian swimming team at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, she represented Australia more than 25 times at major international championships.
She won her first race – a 15m event – as a child.
Now a mother, Ms Hanson has found success out of the pool, becoming a reputable TV and radio presenter, including on the TV holiday show Discover Downunder.
“Happiness does not come from buying materialistic objects or having lots of money. It comes from within,” she said.
The lunch was attended by businesspeople from Leongatha, Korumburra, Inverloch, Wonthaggi and Phillip Island, and was sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council, GippsTAFE, South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network, Bendigo Bank and Telstra.
Inspiring presenter: Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson shows her gold and silver medal to Bass Coast South Gippsland Business Alliance sponsors, from left, Wendy Major of South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network, Cr Clare Le Serve of Bass Coast Shire Council, Sophia Cole of Bendigo Bank and Garry Austin of Telstra.
Short URL: /?p=11261
Posted by 
