Wisdom in fragments

My sense of identity definitely evolved, becoming stronger due to the accident. It stripped away aspects I believed defined me, teaching me a profound lesson at 15: what truly defines me is unremovable. In essence, I learned that even if I lost every limb, my core identity – a hardworking, competitive, fun-loving person – would remain intact. Losses like money, job, or reputation can't diminish my inherent qualities – my fight, attitude, grace, and resolve.

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

Each step I've taken was possible not solely through my own efforts but because of the profound support, trust, and camaraderie extended by many others. We've embarked on this journey together, and it's a path of continuous learning for me. I choose to focus on living my life with the intention of making meaningful contributions.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

Jade Begay, an indigenous woman with roots in a tribe in Mexico, shares a powerful sentiment from her culture: 'What if our best times are ahead of us?' This question challenges us to adopt a more hopeful and forward-thinking mindset, one that can inspire and motivate us towards positive action.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

What we urgently need is to cultivate a positive narrative, to energize and unite us in a collective movement. This isn't about asking everyone to do the same thing; rather, it's about fostering a 'movement of movements.' We encourage everyone to persist in their individual efforts, with the understanding that they are part of a larger, progressive force striving for a better world.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

It's baffling that $1.8 trillion is still being invested in harmful sectors. As a member of the B-Team of business leaders, we've identified that $1.8 trillion a year is spent subsidizing industries that harm us, predominantly fossil fuels. Redirecting a significant portion of these funds could dramatically accelerate our transition.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

We advocate for a 'feminist moonshot' approach, symbolized by the dandelion. The dandelion, a resilient flower and weed found on all continents, symbolizes our efforts. Despite its reputation as a nuisance, it's a plant I've grown to admire for its beauty, deep-rooting ability that rejuvenates the soil, and its edible qualities. Its seeds, spread by children, represent the spreading of our positive narrative towards a cleaner, healthier, more equitable world.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

The climate crisis disproportionately affects the poorest countries and communities, small islands, and indigenous peoples—who contribute least to the problem. This crisis also embodies racial injustice, as those most affected are often people of colour. Gender injustice is evident through the distinct social roles and limited opportunities for women, who perform a significant portion of agricultural work, especially in regions like Africa and India, yet face barriers in accessing credit and agricultural training.

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

Performance, in my eyes, hinges on the consistent delivery of high results by individuals. However, what truly elevates a performance culture beyond mere output is effective communication. A common shortfall in many performance-driven environments is the prevalence of talking without listening, a significant issue.

What excites me the most is offering something tangible that people can apply immediately to enhance their performance—not something that will start showing results a year down the line. There's a common misconception that improvement is complex and time-consuming. My goal is to change this mindset, guiding people to focus on specific, actionable steps they can take today.

Superstitions are essentially our way of coping with the anxiety tied to impending events and their uncertain outcomes. It's not really about the earrings, tapping the door frame, or taking the same route to an event. These are just manifestations of anxiety creeping in. My aim is to encourage people to adopt more constructive strategies to manage this anxiety.

An elite performer is distinguished not just by skill but by their ability to leverage their mindset to excel during critical moments. This redefines the notion of elite performance to include anyone and everyone. Regardless of the field, role, or domain, anyone can achieve elite status if they consistently deliver outstanding results and rise to the occasion when it's most crucial.

I believe the most effective strategy for maintaining resilience is mastering the art of self-soothing. The ability to calm oneself instantly, at any moment, stands out as a pivotal skill. It enables you to recover from setbacks and face adversity more effectively. Being able to soothe and calm yourself enhances your clarity of thought, which is invaluable during challenging times.

Confidence, after all, is simply one's belief in their own ability to accomplish a task or achieve a result. It's an elusive and abstract feeling. In my experience, many of the individuals I work with, including Olympians, often lack this so-called essential trait. My approach is always to redirect their focus from this nebulous concept of confidence to the concrete tasks at hand.

I often emphasise that etiquette is highly contextual, varying significantly depending on the cultural backdrop and the company you're in. These nuances highlight that etiquette isn't about rigid right or wrongs; it's about sensitivity to the context, the people you're with, and the prevailing cultural norms.

Social anxiety stems from the fear of being judged, criticised, or scrutinised. However, adopting a mindset of curiosity—deciding to learn and ask questions—can make those fears dissipate. When you shift your focus from worrying about judgment to engaging in learning and exploration, the anxiety naturally begins to fade away.

My parents instilled in me the belief that everyone you meet can teach you something, regardless of their age, background, or education. I've always embraced every conversation as an opportunity to learn, to discover someone else's story and experiences, which are invariably different from my own.