A Passion for Swimming with Henry Hughes DLY

Welcome to Power of Passion, a podcast from the Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation, produced with Be the change. Media Network. In this first episode, host Lily Mott is joined by Deaflympian swimmer Henry Hughes to explore how a childhood love of the water grew into a lifelong passion, as well as a platform for advocacy, resilience, and self-belief. Henry shares his journey from learning to swim as a deaf child in Australia to competing at the Deaflympics and eventually representing Great Britain. He reflects on the early challenges of not being able to hear instructors in the pool, the inspiration he found watching the London 2012 Games, and the series of moments that shaped his decision to pursue swimming at an elite level. Together, Lily and Henry talk about what it really means to follow a passion: going through the highs and lows, building a relationship with something you love, and continuing even when it’s hard. From screaming (or singing) underwater for stress relief to learning that “I swim for myself and only for myself,” this episode highlights the power of swimming in Henry’s life. For more information about: Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation: https://fli.foundation/ Be the change. Media Network: https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com/ Follow the Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation on Linkedin. Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram and LinkedIn. Subscribe to this podcast and join us as we explore the passions that shape young people’s lives.