Louise and Annie talk to Paralympic Paratriathlete Champion Lauren Steadman about her challenges throughout her life. From life as a swimmer and then paratriathlete to taking on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins - Strictly Come Dancing.

In the second episode of season four of the Her Spirit podcast BBC Breakfast Louise Minchin and BBC Triathlon presenter Annie Emmerson talk to Paralympic Paratriathlete Champion Lauren Steadman.

Lauren is the current Paralympic, World & European Champion – a title which she has won 3 and 6 times respectively. Lauren was born missing her lower right arm, however this has challenged Lauren to be the best she can be, and she relishes the chance to overcome barriers. She has competed at two Paralympic Games as a swimmer. She has since specialised in Paratriathlon & represented Team GB in the sports inaugural entry to the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, where she took home a silver medal. 

Born in Peterborough, Lauren moved to a Devon boarding school at 14, enabling her to combine academic studies with her sporting skill. It was at this young age she attended her first ever Paralympic Games in Beijing, marking the start of a super successful career to come.

Lauren’s passion for swimming started at just 4 years and she represented Team GB just 11 years later in her first Paralympic games as a swimmer aged just 15.

She competed at her second Paralympic Games in London 2012, switching her preferred event from swimming to paratriathlon soon after. The accolades then came thick and fast, and by 2014 she had a cabinet full of trophies to show for her hard work. “In one year I had taken all three titles - British, European and World Champion - for the first time, and graduated from university with first class honours. It really couldn’t get much better than that!” she said.

Lauren was encouraged to switch to Triathlon by her Uncle who saw her potential to achieve in all 3 sports. She entered her first triathlon, the British Championships, in 2011 and finished second. Lauren has since gone on to achieve great things including her first Olympic medal. She is now coached by former Olympian Robin Brew.

In her time away from being a world class athlete Lauren successfully studied for and achieved her Masters in Business after gaining her degree in Psychology. She has a love for baking and salsa and was selected to take part in the 2018 season of the BBC ’s hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

Her drive to raise awareness for disability sport is immensely powerful "I like to think that I raise the standard within my category, and I want to raise it again to prove that disability sport can keep pushing the boundaries"

Lauren talks openly to Annie and Louise about her life challenges and love for what she does.

Her Spirit http://www.herspirit.co.uk supports women of all shapes to sizes to achieve goals you never thought possible and have your #BestYearYet. 

These podcasts have been made possible through the support of Hillarys. Hillarys are passionate about supporting health and wellbeing, partnering with Her Spirit for the Fitter Together challenge have supported women to be more active. This year they’re celebrating 50 years of providing great value made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters across the country. To find out more visit Hillarys.co.uk.

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