Brianna Hennessy’s Paralympic Journey

In this episode of Para Sport Nation, Alex Smyth and Nathan Clement sit down with the incredible Brianna Hennessy, a para canoeist, Paralympic silver medalist, and Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Brianna reflects on her whirlwind year in sports, from competing at the Paralympics to securing double gold at the Paracanoe Pan American Championships in Uruguay. Brianna shares heartfelt stories, including how her late mother inspired her journey, and the emotional weight of achieving podium success with her mother’s memory close to her heart. She delves into the honour of being chosen as Canada’s flag bearer and the advocacy work she passionately champions for women in para sports and athletes with disabilities. The conversation also explores Brianna’s commitment to trying new sports, including wheelchair rugby and downhill skiing, and her belief in the transformative power of sport for self-confidence, rehabilitation, and community building. Brianna’s insights into cross-training, personal growth, and finding the right sport for one’s abilities make this episode a must-listen for athletes and fans alike. Nathan offers his own perspective as a Paralympian who transitioned between sports, discussing the challenges and rewards of evolving as an athlete. The pair also dive into the importance of grassroots development and fostering inclusive opportunities in para sports. With Brianna’s engaging personality, raw vulnerability, and unwavering determination, this episode is a testament to the resilience of para-athletes and the impact of sport in shaping lives. Follow Para Sport Nation on YouTube! About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.   Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.