"My Safe Place" with Hannah Wilson

Hannah Wilson is a three time Olympic swimmer for Hong Kong, having swam in the 2004 Olympics in Athens , the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Olympics in London. She has won multiple medals including medals at the Asian Games, Asian Swimming Championships, Two Universiade Gold Medals and she has held multiple swimming records.  Having began swimming lessons at the age of six months, Hannah has been swimming ever since. She retired from competitive swimming at the age of 23 and is now a passionate physical education teacher. She discusses her growing up in Hong Kong, here undergraduate education in UC Berkley in California and her decision to become a physical education teacher.  The podcast is wide ranging and Hannah shares her growing up in Hong Kong, the importance of friends and a supportive family. How she navigated her commitments, the rigours of intensive training, why she chose to go to UC Berkley and the importance of her friendships.  How she navigated three Olympic Games and what swimming and physical education means to her now. How she loves to share her experiences and how she gives back to the next generation. Timings03:30 I’m so fortunate for growing up here [Hong Kong]… I had a lot of freedom… 4:39 Now I’m in the education industry … teaching kids…05:04 I went to university in California… I swam for UC Berkley…07:18 I decided to go to Berkley… everything felt right about the place… a very special experience…8:24 At a very young age I was in the water… at 6 months … swim lessons at three 10:44 I decided to go full swimming at the age of 15… it was just having fun and with my friends12:14 I still swim now… it’s my safe place…be with myself… my rock…13:51 [advice] Allowing any child to pursue what they enjoy… I was never forced…15:56 It allowed me to find my own way…17:43 [Key traits] My time management skills… ability to prioritise… be very efficient with my time.19:44 I have changed the way I can manage stressful situations…  I used my friends a lot…talking about other things… reading a good book… calling home…21:09 My own personal fitness is a part of my stress management now… go for a run…go for a swim… 22:30 My first Olympics I was only 15… I found Athens quite challenging… going to the US… my closest friends all swam… that sparked my passion…24:40 I was suddenly in Beijing in 2008… I had really close friends there… I had a group around me …26:10 In London … perhaps the best experience yet … my favourite one…28:25 When I’m in the water … that’s my safe place… I feel untouchable31:03 If something is not working it’s not like I have to wait till the end… my confidence in what I do has significantly changed…33:13  To provide people …. the opportunity to either learn how to swim … or to improve competitive swimming… I need a challenge… develop, grow my confidence in… teaching felt absolutely right… I love what I do…36:45 Do things for you… put yourself first… going back to that why...40:40 I used to have a pretty solid routine when the pools were open…before I got a puppy42:05 I just love my job so much… love to share … love to give back…being able to share my own experiences… 44:00 Books: I love ….James Patterson… a go to of mine… Michael Connelly as well... Quote: I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career....  I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael JordanContact HannahEmail: [email protected]: linkedin.com/in/hjawilsonContact Vincent Newsletter: https://vincent1cd.substack.comPro Coach: https://procoach.app/vincent-hiscoxEmail: [email protected]: Vincent Hiscox