Pushing Past Your Limits - Para-rowing Champions | Jed Altschwager & Will Smith

that's a question I go well if I don't want like I  don't care then blow on it and then I said no and   I asked myself this question talking myself I'm  just like no you know thought when I want it more   than anything but I'm cool if it doesn't have and  then saying that I'm like now I'm super powerful   it doesn't matter if it doesn't happen I'm not  pressure I don't a connect cloak of pressure   off so now if that cloaks not on my back hold me  down um now it's gotta be I go faster yeah I get   faster it's that feeling and you're the only one  who can do that only one jedd old swagger and Will   Smith our Australian power rowing champions who've  won international gold together they're also in   the same boat as men living with disabilities  Jade lost his leg in a workplace accident in   2015 and will is visually impaired people can  say be resilient hmm that's cool how do you be   resilient like it's not like you go down the shop  and buy some or go to the gym and do 20 push-ups   and you get resilience both have overcome intense  adversity to become the champions they are today   and they're hungry to take it even further this  year in the hunt for spots on the Tokyo Paralympic   team it's brutal man it's a brutal sport and that  threw doubt brutalities is one of the blessings   of it exactly right yeah it was enough to know  it's about the journey not the destination but   that doesn't mean they're not giving everything  they've got to be the best do you take for granted   how strong that makes you then tell you is like a  superhero man this podcast is big on fostering a   positive mindset and winning attitude and these  two are the definition welcome to Youngblood a   podcast all about young men's health my name is  Kalin McPherson I'm a journalist and this is our   mission to talk about the stuff that matters and  isn't talked about enough let's do it what bonds   you guys together well probably initially rowing  hmm you'd have to say yeah I mean I think like   we probably both came I was a bit later cos  I had this sort of moves into another thing   but like I've I have been rowing for a long  time but I guess like the getting into like   the power awning side of it I guess that it's  probably yeah where we have sort of I come into   contact and started rowing together and sort of  met each other essentially through that well I   said yeah feel as well is it's almost a matter  of environment like will is it I was older para   roller trying to be a para role coming up I heard  about this young fellow Will Smith who was doing   his school thing that's sort of finished and so  it was always probably a matter of time but then   what really has happened probably over the last  eighteen months or - I don't know - you know a   month two years is just like just even though  where I'm like how much I'm like eleven years   old on you yeah there's just a good solid bond  there like just saying you might say yeah just   [ __ ] talk you know his same level of commitment  but also also just sort of taken take him off with   a grain of salt as well yeah yeah definitely and  will de dead sort of as like a mentor or just oh   for sure yeah yeah definitely you know everything  everyone in the in the whole community but rowing   community particularly like you know it looks  up to Jed like very positive human and you know   like very inspirational and just good value  to have around in general so thanks brother   sure yeah yeah not definitely I said what do you  find inspiring about will though he just gives it   a crack you know I mean we could go into delve  into the I guess the impairment side of things   but probably the the one of the biggest things  for a vision impaired athlete he's getting around   you know like he's an absolute piece of human  extremely fit he's got all that but if you can't   get yourself to training consistently it's it's a  you're not gonna be able to get to that level so   he's got that hurdle every day and every single  day it's not just like every now and then it's   every single day how the hell do I get anywhere  I can't drive so yeah you know you look at his   resilience with that but also you know it like  I said it's water off a duck's back to him he's   you know he's grown up you know without being  able to see that well and and you yeah just hit   the way that it's almost a non-issue and he just  gets on with it that's what I love and just that   you know that the fact it's it you know it's you  know it's good night so yeah yeah then we're what   about Jay what do you find inspiring about him  we'll just sort of like this same pretty much   like the same concept really it's sort of like  it's not you don't you'd like don't really he   doesn't really see it seem self or anything like  that is like a victim like anyway just takes it   you know is what it is and you just keep moving  forward like you and I think that's a very like   positive great attribute to have if you have some  sort of impairment I mean you like you can't just   you know let it define you or anything like yes  and you just have just sort of uh you know like   just take it with a with a pinch of salt and just  keep moving forward and that's what he does quite   well I think so yeah roll with the punches exactly  in exactly right yeah and Jed if you'd never lost   your leg yep you wouldn't be the champion you  are today no and you guys never would have come   together and who's that rip you out yeah all the  time man like mate I was I was working in you know   in construction with dusty boots and a hardhat  and Harvey's it's like they're not that long   ago yeah man like five years ago four and a half  years ago so it's you know it always does and we   always pinch ourselves like we always you know no  matter what like every now and then every now and   then we'll just be I might be driving with him or  we might be somewhere having food or in a boat and   we black can you believe that we're doing this  man the obvious ones like you might we might be   in Italy and like we're like unlike the raises  like paddling around and the Swiss snow he kept   out after um alight man can you believe that some  dude just out of school whatever whatever what   I'm doing but then even the simple thing like it  happens all the time we pinch ourselves yeah tell   me about that was that how you feel like moments  where you just like yeah alright for sure like I   think overseas especially it's just sort of like  you you know you'll be sort of in the midst of it   all and you'd like you know you're doing what you  need to do but then you've stopped for a minute   and just think wow how you know if you just told  me that I was doing this two years ago I you know   I wouldn't very surprised like not you know I just  wanted I just would had no idea and I think you   know that's exactly right like it's just like sort  of just snowballed into like this thing now where   like I've got a really good opportunity to you go  to Tokyo and um you know like I'm very grateful   for like opportunities I've been given and things  like that so mmm and you guys are just going to   these incredible places and working really hard  to get there and then while you're there but then   I suppose you also better remember to take it  in year round you know when you're breathing so   hard and you're aiming for that line but then  you're saying you've got mountains around you   in these incredible places you can actually  pause for a second take that in and be like   we put ourselves here yeah yes hold on I think  like the longer I live you know the more life   I get to go through like you really do start to  be able to have more of that perspective and go   like the amount of different chapters I've had  in my life now is insane and I really feel like   of you know I've got a not even halfway there  and so it's the young a 35 a 30 what thanks man   it's the gray hair so it's just you know it's just  lost long and and you know you don't know what's   going to come around the corner and you know it  could be bad it could be good but you know make   ever make the most of everything and that's kind  of you know what we're doing and you know it you   know in our game in anyone's elite sporting game  it the Downs can be hard like you can work your   absolute ass off and get pinched and and get you  know not make it or whatever and it's just you   know if you aren't then take you know if you're  not through that journey if you're not taking in   the roses and smelling you know living with the  sights then what's the point cuz you you know   you really got to sort of enjoy it for what it is  because regardless what happens it again you know   you may not have control over it may not fall your  ways I guess that's the beauty of it though isn't   it with sport especially is it doesn't matter how  hard you work or how talented you are if things   had fall in place it might not happen and then if  you do get it it might be taken away so that's why   you got a relish it I imagine one while you have  it but if that wasn't the case then you wouldn't   appreciate it as much as well yeah is that sort of  how you feel about it - yeah definitely and I was   thinking like back to that like rowing texture  some pretty pretty amazing places I think like   some you know all through Europe and and the  states obviously like it's one of the biggest   like internationally speaking like it's a very  like a lot of countries participate so you know   there's a lot of opportunities there to travel  to places that like you know you probably would   never thought you're going I don't like people  hey like I for sure yeah that's our stuff yeah   and being in the Elite sporting world even just  in this country like so even the crossover and   people that you meet in different sports like it's  just it's epic mm-hmm making you know they're the   sort of things that I go I wouldn't have met that  dude you know and wouldn't have met that shooter   or I wouldn't have met that kayaker if I hadn't  wanted been doing this and yeah that sort of stuff   is good there's so many different branches I think  that like you gain from doing you know elite sport   by putting yourself in the line for sure yeah yeah  you're just pretty privy to that whole world mmm   and you have to earn it like you're putting in  this tremendous amount of work that 99.9% of   the population isn't gonna put in and that's why  you're there mmm hold on button yeah yeah must   just be incredible to realize I'll I'm here with  this person or I met that guy and they're really   inspiring or she's incredible and then reflect on  yourself and be like I'll hold on I'm one of them it's special yeah I said just tell us a bit about  losing your leg yeah so I lost my leg in 2015 yep   2015 in August around then I'm just in a workplace  accident basically had a machine roll over and   crushed my left foot rush that was obviously an  crazy experience in himself just that you know   hour or so being under the machine and all that  rust a hospital had you know met my wife there   had you know friend meet us and my mother-in-law  was there had it taken well they tried to see if   I could put it back together had it taken off  that night you know and that's basically kind   of when it began and you know I remember waking  up at eleven o'clock getting rushed to the other   room and jess was there waking me up you know  wondering whether I'd remember or forgetting I   remembered and you know it was a pretty sort of  hazy cloudy couple days there especially pretty   juiced up and and all the rest of that you know so  once what's that sort of started to clear I just   really knew I had to get on top of it and that's  really when the journey began for me and you know   instead of sitting there and being a victim or  sitting there and blaming or hating or anything   like that it was a push those you know emotions to  the side and started to look for opportunities and   and circumstances that would favor me in that  gnarly situation even though it was five four   days prior so it wasn't he didn't even lift back  then I didn't even live back there that's a photo   of me in a hospital bed and I was like to my man I  think he looked at asserted rebel my story yeah he   basically was like I was like man I want to get  I need to get fit I need to get healthy I need   to be light like Annie be as strong as I can be  you know it's gonna be and I was like I need you   to go to you at that stores and get me one of  those stretchy band thingies and I'm gonna tie   it to this bed and I'm just there lifting never  stepped foot into a gym man until rehab two weeks   later you know for my first day in rehab and I'm  wheeling in and that was the third gym and scene   you know and first ever anything so from there it  was the biggest opportunity to stuck out with me   was was you know the physical how quickly quickly  you can lose literally lose a piece of you mm-hmm   and how important your body is and so that was a  big life of mine like I didn't drink for about 18   months after my accident just to stay you know  in a good mental space but also the fitness and   just it snowboard wickedly positive from there  and would actually flip that switch for you for   going from someone who you know wasn't all that  physically active I know that you surfed yeah   that sort of stuff but never like a gym guy never  pushing yourself physically yeah and then pretty   much overnight decided yeah I'm gonna become  that like what what was it was almost it was   almost logical right I literally was reading that  if I want to live a happy life and be able to get   around and when I eventually have kids and I've  got kids now but at that stage when I don't have   kids be able to keep up and all that I was like  honey you need to lose weight I need to be strong   I need to be as light as I can be like it was  almost those three things echoing in my head and   go alright let's do it and and it was that from  there was like ok now learn about rehab and and   then I started just to learn about the fitness  world and and and then when you start to do some   things like that you start to feel better yes  oh I started to feel incredible like I said you   know I stayed off the gas for 18 months and and  really stayed very clean it because as long that   physical side was happening but also I was dealing  with the mental side so I want to stay really on   point as I could and so that was the main flips  like let's switch flip why aren't take losing   your leg to get there though did you do you in the  back your mind you knew you wanted to make some   changes before about probably not physically  help you physically to lose your leg and there's like three steps backwards no honestly  like before you know I was happy before I was   going through life and enjoying you know I was  28 and and doing my thing surfing occasionally   drinking beers playing music being you know just  in married at the time still in but you know there   was really no I never the one thing it was never  a fitness thing for me the one thing that I was at   getting at when when I was turned 28 staring  down the barrel of 30 this is probably going   beyond the fitness thing it was more of a really  deep down me spiritual thing whatever you want to   call it but I was like with the job I was doing  I was there for about eight nine years I loved   it blah blah blah but I was like no there's more  in this world for me I want to do morning other is   but you know I really want to do more I don't know  what it is and just the way the universe works I'm   not saying it is what it is but you know a year  later of having really those gut feelings I'll   lose my leg you know I get tested and and you  can see it as blatant as okay he lost his legs   by machine but I see it as getting tested and I'm  so grateful for the tests so you know it was that   test that maybe then because if you're tested and  you can get through the test then obviously you're   stronger on the other side and that really is what  happened to me and and I had to employ everything   that I had in my body and people say were you  so positive before yeah I was I was extremely   positive I didn't just switch and turn into this  extremely positive guys I'm always positive I do   really like my parents are amazing you know the  voice brought me out to be grateful and thankful   and yeah I really stand up an employee yeah I  had to in search for it and deal with emotions   and Quran through it but yeah it was a test  and that's kind of what it was well what do   you think of the way Jed responded to that yeah I  think he liked like a pretty extraordinary way of   you know like you like he says took four days and  I guess you know in that I like I can't have no   way of like saying that I can relate to this but I  guess that what it is is like there would perhaps   be two roads one is like a positive road and one  might be a negative road and he just didn't even   like pondered taking the negative road he just  totally like threw himself at you know a journey   which would obviously I eventuated into what it is  now but like he just totally took the first step   right away and didn't even second-guess himself  I think that's very impressive you know you've   gotta be able to relate to that though yourself oh  for sure like you know my my you know situation is   like very different but you just talked about it  being explain it what it is yeah so basically I've   got albinism so that what that means is I'm so  I've got like vision loss oversized so I've had it   since I was born so I don't really know like I've  it's not like I'd lost sight or anything over a   period of time like it's always sort of been like  this no no you guys are different in that way yeah   for sure yeah yeah so but the thing is with me  especially going back to the family thing like   I've got three siblings and I was just another  sibling you know like I went to the same school   and I basically did the same things I didn't  play footy or anything like that but I you know   like we grew up on a farm and it was pretty like  rough-and-tumble with my brother and you know like   had yeah like all friends from around there and it  was just you know I like it wasn't really like I   was segregated from you know other kids my age or  anything like it was just I was someone else and   that's sort of something that I have I think I'm  so grateful for and I think that it's so important   for people that I've sort of born with some sort  of like some sort of impairment that I think that   like the best thing you can do as you know like  perhaps a parent or like just anyone in their   support circle is just shred them as you know like  obviously accomodate for their needs but like very   much just treat them as like a another kid really  I think that's just so beneficial you know in the   long term so that's sort of like in there in  regard to like the like yours you know you took   the positive road I think I've got my family and  friend and like family friends to thank for that   they sort of help me get there in in a way so  yeah so how much is your vision impaired I don't   actually know like the percentage but obviously I  can't drive so that's like that's probably that is   probably like the biggest issue with the with the  impairment not an issue but just like the biggest   hole so what it so you know I just have to and  obviously like um the government the government   have things in place so i i'm you know allowed to  get like 12 hours of week driven around which is   like so helpful and then you know just like work  around what i needed to i just got to like do   what i need to do and things like that but that is  essentially like probably the biggest hurdle but I   do like I've going through school and things like  that I just had to make sort of make adjustments   and things like that so all my schoolwork would  be put digitally onto a computer and I just get   it onto my computer all my work would be said  to me textbooks and things online like I just   zoom up that's the same that it is now with uni  because I'm studying I'd like so it's a it's all   basically it's all [ __ ] all digital except for  exams and that's just enlarged paper so basically   nobody actually tried my first semester of uni I  am I was because although Adelaide uni exams are   done at Wavell and I went there and I had a big  paper with a with a desk probably about the size   of this mat and my pipe it's like yeah vigil I  don't design happen so then pretty much thereafter   I'd go to the Union I'd be doing it in like a in a  room with basically it's just me and like a whole   bunch of international students so it's pretty  - it I'm black pretty grave I got my own roof   by all my friends are just like busted but no  so that's sort of the bottom line and that's   what it is okay other than they're not being able  to drive there what's it meant for your life like   lluvia as it meant that you've struggled you know  socially in anyway or something anyway yeah I mean   I don't really like not not in this sense that  like it's inhibited me from doing what everyone   else is doing I think that obviously like socially  in the sense that not being able to drive like in   in that sense that's like a little bit like come  into social this social side of things because I   need to like make adaptions to get around yeah so  obviously there's that but um you know in terms   of like I've got a good a good sort of group of  friends and yeah and things like that so I think   that you know honestly and they're like coming  back to what I said back it just pretty much all   points to my upbringing like the way that I was  sort of brought up in as to like I'd you know I   don't have I'm not restricted I mean I am but  like it you know I can't think that I yeah I'm   innocent so I think for me and this is one thing  that I've been playing with my head lately is like   impairments right so we've got an impairment it  was good impairments very visually you can see   it you know about it or whatever but like this  is going back to it you know we'll keep saying   the way brought up it's it's that it's like if  you get brought up in the frame of mind that   it's a non-issue and I'm just going to get by or  whatever it's like for him to ask that you know   and I mean there's no there's no issue there it's  like yeah I just I get on with it I'm not playing   a victim some of the biggest impairments you know  I really sense I'm starting to see and some of the   biggest impairments in life that people really  come up with aren't physical man like you know   what I mean there really is there's something in  the head they're the things that stop there the   blockers that that stop you being social whatever  you know and I mean and if you've if you've got   you know if you've got a physical impairment  or not if you can think around that then it's   a non-issue yeah so it's for you it's big on sort  of how you perceive it and obviously absolutely   how you look at it mmm because the reality is  the reality and you have to accept that either   way hmm or being positive about it and seeing it  the way you do you're still making that choice to   view it like that which is which is powerful and  allows you to go and do what you want to do but   there would still be other people who think Mike  hi no I couldn't do that or but it sounds like   what you're saying is that's the attitude that's  the issue in that case anyway it's not actually   necessarily what the the physical yeah problem  is yeah yeah but in saying that like I think that   there is sometimes you know sometimes you might  not feel 100% but that's fine you know that's   okay as long I think the most important thing  and I think this is very important with mental   health in general is that like you if you've got  like an awareness of yourself like that it's like   probably the most important thing because so as  soon as you can start to recognize that you know   okay maybe like maybe I should take it a bit bit  easier today because like you know like I've had   a bit of an average week or something like I  think that if you can just recognize the issue   but when it's sort of starting to develop like I  think that's be kind to yourself absolutely yeah   and just recognize the issue and then just stop it  before it snowballs into you know some sort of I   mean like I'm a pretty positive guy but I think  that like if you if you let a negative thought   sort of manifest and you don't sort of recognize  that it's there like it will it'll get you down   I think essentially so yeah yeah I guess they  can happen to anyone no matter sure how are ya   who's even Arielle positive guys but you can't be  positive all the time I know I'm not sure exactly   I sorta try to be as well yeah definitely so what  strengths do you feel like you've drawn through   your disability jet you know almost touched  on their self-awareness or resilience just the   ability to be able to digest through my emotions  and not just sit on something so exactly you have   shitty days and and stuff come up but probably  what keeps getting me going and get him getting me   through things is is is is digesting through them  why do I feel like this and acknowledging that but   then moving on and then and then also on on the  same breath find something I'm grateful for that   pattern there is literally what I did day by day  especially when I first lost my leg you know would   be something would come up okay why do I feel  like this let's find something to be grateful for   and you know the start it was things like my knee  and be like what could have been worse could lost   my knee you know shout out to all the above knees  out there sorry yeah you know everyone's got their   own personal journey but you know it was that  it was like I can get up and go for a coffee it   was simple [ __ ] but you know I always found that  stuff to be grateful for and thankful for and that   tool is probably the biggest strength and you know  there's other cut a few other things I guess but   just getting back to this way you know getting the  fact that I was tested and gone through that test   the lots come out of it and showing me you know  who I am as a human being as a as a made as a dad   as a [ __ ] you know as a as a husband you know  and and then also wanting to keep bettering that   yeah just having an impairment bring into focus or  heighten what you do have like you think you sure   about what your attributes are and all the things  that you do you have any talk about gratitude   but brings that more into focus then perhaps if  you've never had to think about it yeah you find   this yeah I do I found I find basically whether  whether it's the loss of the leg or whatever it   is but I feel that the fact I was tested my back  up and was up against the wall it was like what   else do I have in my toolkit you know to get me  through what other the physical okay you know   it was first it was an enemy fit line strong and  you know on the physical side is down that rabbit   hole and let's learn about fitness and then on  the mental side of things like you know how do   we manifest gratitude how do I grow that like  figuring that out you know not really knowing   it people can say be resilient hmm that's cool  how do you be resilient like it's not like and   go down the shop and buy some or go to the gym and  do 20 push-ups and you get resilience yeah it's a   different kettle of fish it's not as tangible is  getting fit or eating well so that has probably   made deciphering that has probably been in my mind  probably the coolest part for me is like freaking   myself out and I'm still completely figuring it  out but that's the area I love and want to do more   of and spread more of yeah mmm where are you out  on that stuff will in terms of your mindset and   sort of your own resilience and stuff how do you  view things yeah well um you know I think that's a   very fair point obviously you develop it over time  it's not one of those things that you can just   y're resilience is one of those things where if  you have some sort of it impairment I think from a   young age like I generally have had a pretty good  resilience because like because there's always   been some sort of hurdle and you know you just go  okay we'll like Moses for example why it becomes   second nature to you for sure so like what it all  be is like primary school you get like I'd get you   know perhaps um some work and then I'd then say  okay well this is too hard to read give it to the   teacher okay can I have this enlarged well they  did that generally be pretty good anyway but if   they had forgotten like it is enlarged and then  I'd have to do that at a time where perhaps like   other kids were and other like other kids were  finished up or like and that always had to do   that yeah so ago you mean with saying like I just  thought that was you know that yeah second nature   I know but you accepted that resilience so much  we're so used to didn't even see it as that is   he uses it man before when you asked us earlier  on I like what you know it is about well what's   that it's like it don't like it's non thing it's  like yeah whatever man like you know you say water   off a duck's yeah it's fully like that couldn't be  more of an example dude like I've had two foster   and develop it for sure I wasn't tested like those  kids weren't tested yeah nobody's talking about   you just sort of down front exactly it's sort of  built in because it's there from day one yeah sort   of so do you do you take for granted how strong  that makes you then tell you is like a superhero   yeah I mean you know like not really like I don't  know you're faced with a problem but whatever it   might be yeah like how do you view it or what's  the first thought that comes to mind with it how   often do you saying I can do this you know yeah  well I I guess in that sense like I am you know   i guess i have developed his strength over like  the last 20 years of being alive like with this   impairment like I basically have had hurdles  like the whole time and I guess yeah like it   has developed some strengths there for sure and  I guess the more you can overcome them the more   evidence you have that you can do that yeah and  I think that's very like a very important thing   with resilience mental health like some other  I don't know I was watching like it was like   a David Goggin things and he's refers to some  like mental tool as like the cookie jar and you   just pull something out of the cookie jar like  if you're struggling it's like okay well like I   did this I did this like two years ago and that  was pretty cool like a reference point exactly   for sure and you just like bring those points up  and you know I got through that so like mmm why   can't I do that you know yeah and so then when  it comes to being in the boat together drawing   on that kind of strength or reaching into that  cookie jar you mind that there's plenty of cookies   you know yeah yeah but that's obviously that's  part of what's allowing you guys to be great and   because rolling and pushing yourselves to that  level so you know one of the ultimate tests of   your mental and physical endurance and your what  you able to do physically is a manifestation of   your minds so what you're Pinter is sharpened you  into what you are now yeah yeah [ __ ] I felt like   dr. Phil just said yeah what's that little voice  in your head say like when you guys get up in the   morning or when you're pushing it in the boat  when you don't feel that training what is the   little voice saying mine's generally how far can  I take this how hard can I go how hard can i push   afar can I take it I've probably in the last four  years definitely falling in love or really found   a comfortable place with sitting uncomfortably  you know being uncomfortable and your hain and   you know I don't think you know there are there's  gonna be sports that are equal to it but rowing is   one of them that it hurts like it's it's a long  time to be going to threshold and and so it was   almost like it's just amazing that I found myself  into this sport but that's it it's how far can i   push myself how hard can I go and and you you know  this seems like as a spectator with rowing it's   always going to the limit and then whoever can  go over that and mind a new limit is gonna win or   that is what the sport seems yeah essentially just  who can suffer the longest like yeah in a race   lightning man yeah who can put you know it's it's  as many analogies like who can hold the hand on   the flame the longest and all that because that's  what it is like there's nothing like the middle 15   1,200 of a race you know the end this starts the  start and the end the end you cooked by the end   but you always get you get over the line whatever  it finishes but that middle part is you've got to   compete compose you got it you know it starts to  hurt and you get a row well as a forced to [ __ ]   and there's just nothing else quite like it you  know then I'm sure you know like I said there'd   be other sports but um for me it's just you know  and as people as humans do in human nature we   relate things to things and so you can find so  many points to relay that back to life and you   know how to apply yourself to certain situations  and for me using the whole leg and getting over   that I've used the tools in that for rowing and  then vice versa and it's just like a yeah it's   a full cookie jar mmm and what's the beauty in  that in those moments you know in that middle   15 or oh boy what comes out of going past that  limit finding a new one like you do things that   you didn't perhaps think that you could like what  thought like that you would have thought possible   of yourself like you can definitely push yourself  a lot harder than perhaps and I think that I think   that sort of barrier extends itself like the more  like the more elite you get at a sport is you know   you're able to take yourself to like different  places physically and mentally during a race   particularly but why would he what do you get out  of doing that why I seek to do it again and again   and again especially you know after you've done  it once he approves you can do it and you know   why you keep chasing that yeah feeling um well  yeah I mean I guess it's it's very rewarding in   the sense that you know you can show yourself that  you're capable of saying that you didn't that you   were you know like I guess mmm is that all about  showing yourself and how it makes you feel about   yourself as a human or is it about showing other  people or what's your what drives you guys to keep   going maybe a bit above it or both I think yeah  a bit of both sure yeah I I think like for me   it always has been like how far can i push this  and take this like that was the whole idea of   getting into parasport at the start like I went  from rehab gym - I like CrossFit you know I saw   it on Instagram said I want to go do that did that  for eight months 18 months to use and loved that   and then it was like parasport like a half I was  literally like how far can I take this you know   how fit can I get out how all of that you know and  and then on the flip of that it's you know it's   also nice to you know especially your family and  friends and especially when you get to well level   and there's it's stream' amount of sacrifice that  noon that your family and friends see you take and   you know they have to take for you and it's nice  to be able to you know to do the work and show   them you know what can be done and then the on fly  effect on that on a social you know further you   know more is is also there as well so I mean yeah  yeah cuz there is such a sacrifice I guess that's   why why I asked cuz you got to have that burning  desire in you that's just greater than just about   anyone else to want to do it yeah you think you're  both just wired that way or have you just fallen   in love with it so completely or like can you  put it into words a bit of both again I think   it definitely has developed a lot over the last  few years but you're right like I think it's I   think it's very much a case of like I want to show  myself that I can do that and you know like the on   for fact with family you know like we would you  agree on that yeah I'd like for me so literally   it was it was my eyesight if you want to say first  flip we switch to the accident that's probably one   of them that was like so before accident and I  think a lot of people stay in this place life   was super comfortable like when I say that I've  started to fall in love with the pain and you know   it's animated you know eat some [ __ ] and taste  the dirt you know are you in love with growing   it yep exactly wow that's very well put sitting  stagnant comfortable is super easy to do in our   28 when you've heard you crazy 20s you know early  late teens 20s and it start to stare down the   barrel and you still probably push in stuff you  shouldn't be pushing go on there's more to this   was it you know that's when I was that's that's  kind of for me and then the accident happened   it was just like rewired like like what how can I  grow and and the of the amount of growth mentally   and then the physical sympathy you know on both  is crazy amounts man like and that's why I can   sit back and I think it was six months after my  axe and I said I'm [ __ ] better off and like   I am way better a person I feel can't like the  things that I'm experienced everyday the emotions   and everything I'm in a better place I've lost my  leg I'm still figuring the walking situation out   but I'm good you know and that was just like  that was when it transcended for me body and   blood it was like it's just body and blood like  that's when it really become a mental thing to me   and gone you can be whatever that's why I got in a  wheelchair that can't move any of his limbs can be   the happiest human being like well like I've met  humans like this it's like that's why the physical   is just a physical if you can control them in  the mental and grow that that's you know and   not leave stagnant comfortable I was definitely  stating uncomfortable and a lot of people probably   continue to the whole life like that that's why  people maybe have marriage breakdowns or midlife   crisis or regrets when they get older and yeah  part of that that's why I'm grateful for the test   it sounds like you found the meaning of life in  it yeah I'm not just sound like you know not be   a dick oh no that's a sure you found that thing  yeah well I came which I think like rowing seems   like it's the manifestation or how you let it  out but it's really like the principle of it   I'm wanting to drive forward because that makes  you guys feel alive mmm yeah it's the feeling of   the feeling life like waiting now it's it for me  it's not like I didn't grow up with rolls on the   wall like it's just it's you know it's the as a  manifestation expression a dualist like it could   be anything and it will be something else after  all - it's not done like it won't be done ever so   that's that's what it's about that's beautiful  where I can see you like you're fired up yeah   it's good yeah that's the thing that everyone  you know whether they know they want or don't or   if they vote before they haven't it's that like  whatever that is inside you you've got to find   a way that to express it and get it out and then  if you have it it's it's pretty obvious to other   people and that's when you inspire people as well  and I think how do I find whatever that is hmm but   it seems like the you know the devastation they  went through with losing your leg just kicked   you into gear and made you think about all right  what is my life going to be and sort of let's take   this a bit more serious here because you know  life's not it's not odd to us it's not you know   tomorrow's not promised sort of the other thing  all of that man yeah 100% those emotions were   thick and fast like those feelings of overwhelming  like I you know I walked out of the hospital and   and I just you know Lyra not water didn't I  wheeled out of the hospital to go to rehab   for two weeks and just felt gratitude now my tour  to the hospital like you know it was just I had I   didn't have any control over these emotions of  feelings it was literally just bombarded every   day and like that's what I was just like this is  incredible man and even now I feel like it's quite   and and I think about back in that time and like  that was powerful time like oh like that those   three to six to nine months with powerful dungeons  like so just keep those juices going because you   don't you don't lose that though like if you get  through a situation like that it stays with you   mm-hmm and I think that partly is what gives you  the will to be a champion because you can draw on   something like that yes gives you that yeah grant  yeah what imagine like yeah arrive at the end and   so yeah we're what's a voice in your head when  you have days we live you know I'd rather not   train today or you know just when you get up in  the morning or whatever it is what mentally what   are you often saying to yourself yeah so I'm  Jed I'll have a rather singular if I don't go   I know like I think as well like I'm a big  advocate for developing as a person and   growing and just learning about yourself like  if for me as well because I was pretty serious   with growing through school but this is like a  completely different world and then obviously   going from like having a year off to getting into  this sport which is you know it's intense and I'm   waking up some mornings and thinking well like I  you know it's not that I don't want to do this but   like I'm you know like it's pretty uncomfortable  right now to get up and ride but like that's it's   actually almost like pretty addictive like I for  example like a few so there's like this time last   week I actually got I like a flu and I and when  sort of you get crook with rowing you really have   to just submit yourself to to like the sickness  essentially or it'll just sort of come back gentle   yeah you all about that so I and so basically what  I'm getting at is I had to spend four days like in   bed no exercise and you start to like where's you  behind ya lose yourself you know for sure like you   I think it's so important and I for sure like I  think having that physical outlet it's just like   everyone everyone on the planet should be doing  some sort of exercise like it's so beneficial like   relative to not exercising and living in it like  your daily life like you just feel exponentially   better mm-hmm and how much do you think that makes  you mind stronger having that physical outlet and   having that physical test it's generally if you're  committed to something physical whether it's a   sport or a routine II doing it pretty much every  day and it's uncomfortable every time so what's   the benefit of going through that and actually  making that happen as opposed to not it's almost   like this seven steps to success thing it's  like you know the first thing you do make your   bed I think that with me like exercise has sort of  become a big part of that in like my daily routine   big cause it's you know it's what we have to do  but I think it'll stay there forever realistically   because you know I feel as though I just feel  so much better I can concentrate like studying   as well like I even like the periods in which I  wasn't rowing I would exercise in the morning and   then and then study and it would everything would  just be a lot more a lot clearer and things like   that like I could concentrate um for extended very  time this growth just grow I think yeah absolutely   I think that's you know like the biggest aspect  of it all so yeah makes you feel like yourself for   sure yeah yeah how do you see yourselves as men  at this stage in your lives obviously will your   I mean sorry Jed you're much much older yeah it's  funny man because I think it's pretty cool like   situation will kind of touch one before so we're  we're oh we got you know it's a lot of under-23   yeah wheels aged and a little bit younger and so I  get to see you know like you know and and they're   you know people have said and said you know I  love you know you being around but it's great   you know um influence or whatnot but like on the  flip that I kind of get from the young guys you   know and I mean especially seeing how dedicated I  was not like as I've said it's twill so many times   man I wasn't 20s I'll gone yeah coming six days  a week like three sessions a day I was not doing   that I was getting in my car I was surfing and I  was like save the money for holidays and trips and   you know it was different and just seeing that  level of commitment and it happens from school   like and once they leave school it's insane so  you know seeing that is is I applaud that but   you know where I see myself as a guy as a as a  male you know as and how I related a is a father   and a husband and a mate and a son is you know  I feel like I'm I'm in a good place and I feel   like I'm value adding to the people around me but  I really really do feel that you know everyone's   got their vices and their things that they need  to work on and I'm 100 cent that and a lot of   the crew that you know we row with I've said too  many times young people's like I'm 31 32 no 33 I'm 27 man coming down as a podcast guys but  it's that I've made every single slight [ __ ]   up every single one probably 20 times more than  any you know what I mean like you really do and   I've still make shitty decisions but it's that  continuing to want to get better and then once   I've had kids it's like looking at them in the  eyes it's gone daddy can't be that guy like I   need to be this guy I need to be this guy for you  and you know to your wife the same thing and you   still stuff up you know and I have but it's like  it's just that wanting to be able to get better   and grow accountability accountability man like  and you kind of go through this wild stage when   you know again I think that every period of life  is there for a reason and all for that crazy 17   to 26 you know I really believe that you should  shed your skin and have a ball and do whatever   it is with respect they've run around you but  do whatever it is that you need to do but then   there becomes kind of this yeah like a lull yeah  yeah it's time to move on and a very hard thing   to let go and I'm weird for guys man because I've  seen it with me I was one like it and also seen a   lot of friends they get to this point where they  don't want it they want to move on but they can't   move on through that whether you want to call  it party life or whatever it is and it's a very   sticky tough thing and sometimes relationships  fall apart because it around it yep and it's crazy   so yeah it's just crazy all of that so that's  why it's just you know you got to realize things   evolve things change and opportunities come up and  there's different chapters in life yeah yeah and   get the most out of each man by you so have a lot  of credibility to talk about that stuff to younger   guys now because you actually been through I've  been through it yeah we'll do you feel like you're   missing out on any of that at all by being so  dedicated from the start yeah well like I think I   had I had a got a pretty good doesn't mind a party  pretty solid gaff you there okay I hear that so   you know I've had like I've had a good time went  traveling and things like that with friends and   you know all through South America and things like  that so I'm not I don't know hasn't robbed you   of your young no experience no no for sure and I  think that it's so beneficial like I I also think   that if I didn't have rowing I'd be a lot more  of a basket case I think rowing gives me oh yeah   you're gonna pick and choose your battles mana we  said it often like like you know that's all laid   out like as it he's you know you're young Manny  you don't want to get to 2035 and be like freaking   out in there when you also you say young if you're  aware of that you can kind of plot it a bit gay   okay you know maybe I might take some time off  here and do this or travel now and you know he's   got options like I'm far as me like this may be my  last piling pick crack I'm like oh who knows but   I'm gonna be older mmm you know he's got so it's  just like pick and choose you what you want to   do and for sure and I think the writer yeah yeah  exactly that's I think rowing like this intense   intense period for me like I think it's it's so  good because it gives you that sort of distinction   between like okay like maybe I need to pull it  together and like lock into uni for this amount of   time and then get back into rowing and then take  some time off or whatever you know it gives me a   good grounding I think yeah at a time where we can  be very up in the air when absolutely it's and he   had that discipline where it's like you got a rock  up every morning you got to get in there you go do   this and you got to live this way too in order to  be able to do this so that's what I set out for   you absolutely that's why this young time in our  lives you know especially after school and then   after uni as well where it's sort of up to you hmm  at a time when our brains are still developing and   there's lots of fun exciting stuff happening  around us easy to get lost in that as well   so absolutely I think I'm so grateful for rowing  for sort of having giving me that perspective of   you know hard work and just sort of knowing when  it's time to get things done yeah and it flows on   the rest your life I'm sure you're pretty good  with your studies as well yeah yeah a lot more   productive than previous like prior to you know  intense like Elite sporting so yeah oh yeah yeah   and so when you guys are tearing through the water  and winning gold medals is that the peak for you   now or is it actually before that one year going  through the journey or how would you sort of I'm   tough question because obviously it's great to be  you know to getting across the line but I'm big on   the journey man like I love that [ __ ] like love  it all love rocking up you know on a monday might   be shitty here's it's a monday or whatever but you  get through it and just all the conversations you   have and the development you have and we have the  month you have you know it doesn't all boil down   to that you know seven minute race it's only seven  minutes button then the tense and amazing crazy   feeling that you get when you have that race  is insane so it's it's both but I'm definitely   journey yeah I think that Jed's like perspective  on that has sort of rubbed off me a little bit I   always used to think especially going through  a schoolboy program you know like it's still   pretty intense but it's all about head of the  river and it's all about national championships   and it's all about that six minutes you know  you know obviously like you development always   wins scotch so why did you or not I might win this  year I might look everybody there one a couple of   times but yeah it's good friend about Jack Danes  wanna yeah here we go I'd love to tell you about   that yeah fair enough though it's doesn't happen  much yeah yeah but it was all about the result   for yes cool yeah exactly so yeah so and then you  know it was all I've obviously developed pretty   cool friendships and but I think when it is now  essentially like both of our lives like we when we   revolve obviously just got a family so he you know  he's got a lot more sort of overheads in the sense   that like he's got a lot more responsibilities and  perhaps I just got like uni but my relatives like   it's relative but I think that with having rowing  being like a very central part of our lives like   I think that the journey has definitely become  a lot more of a that's that man enjoyable part   and that's basically like I think a lot of that  is through Jed and just through being around   people that are in the same boat or striving for  like the same sort of thing but also there for   their journey mmm nice use of nice use of in the  same boat there yeah it's great yeah it's clever   single-cell pakka what example do you guys want  to sit Oh the example of like there's probably   many examples but definitely the fact that you  know life's a long game and you can [ __ ] up   you can make heaps of mistakes but if you stay  like if you keep a pretty solid growth mindset   and always wanting to get better yourself and  your situation with respect to everyone around   you then I think those simple principles will be  good you know so you know the inspiration thing   you know it you know it's a very visual thing you  know you can see my leg and what I'm doing it's   going to probably look inspirational but you know  whatever happens and whatever people can grasp   from me it's just well as long as it's a positive  a positive thing you know yeah something like that   well yeah I think that I think definitely and this  doesn't go for just people with you know some sort   of impairment or whatever like I just think that  it's so important to be grateful for everything   and just be able to step back and and and look at  you know what you got going where you're going on   and just not settling for second best like I think  that everyone should just absolutely have a crack   it at life really and you know that whole growth  thing is a huge you know I emphasize that a lot   I'd like it to be part of my major like sort  of just developing but I think that yeah it's   all just a it's all just a journey and you know  it's it's important to to just take everything   really positively yeah attitude yes seeing  you sure seeing that way as a as a journey   and as a lifestyle and fostering that gratitude  er what does that do for your actual results as   a role do you think I think it absolutely helps  like what if you're talking one-percenters and   first of all I mean if we're talking results as  rollers I could say if you're fostering gratitude   if you're positively mindset if you're looking  for growth and opportunity then you're going to   be performing at your best so if we're talking  about if that's your success bar and that's your   measuring stick how good you're doing in the  boat and it's that all that's going to rub off   and and and give you the best ability to do the  best you can so for me first of all it's always   been like where's your success like what is this  you know is it a gold medal the Tokyo Paralympics   or what it you know what finding really what  is your success what is it and then figuring   it out from there and there's so many aspects in  life of what can be your success so you know in   your family relationships career whatever but yeah  finding out what that is and then you know trying   to hit like that's your North Star head toward  that and chew down the goals and the other steps   and the processes together and as our own romantic  analogy there's so many instances in life are you   gonna have to push for the line yeah and see you  guys know about that in the most visceral sort   of way that you can draw that in your mind and no  matter who you are you gonna have those instances   where you're faced with you're gonna have to push  here and you're either gonna have what it takes   so you're not going to you know and you guys  know that sort of better than anyone yeah yeah   it's brutal man it's a brutal sport and that that  brutal brutal --'tis is one of the blessings of   it because it's just it's just epic super biased  obviously I haven't done too many other sports by   here it's just crazy and yeah it's good yeah but  you guys want to obviously you know get that Tokyo   gold medal as I'm sure as the overarching goal  but you can probably deep down and understand that   even if you don't it's still not a hundred percent  the point yeah absolutely yeah yeah definitely I   made I might like a connection last year in trials  and and what happens when you train every day day   in day out and heading toward a goal that you  think is the goal of making a team you know you   just it's to hang every single thing that you're  doing every single day on that and that's all it's   super dangerous I think you really got to have a  bigger picture and I made a connection for myself   about I sort of said to myself I said if what if  I whatever my getting this boat for Tokyo like   everything that I've done all the [ __ ] that my  wife's had to put up with me me on Europe here and   that [ __ ] you know she's got a three-month-old  baby here and a one-year-old and all of that like   is it worth it and then if that's why it's  the journey for me but you're getting back   to what I was saying basically what I did was I  released myself of the pressure I said it it's   not everything if I don't get it I'm good I'm fine  I know I'm good I know there's many chapters this   life that's gentle my journey would just go on  a different angle then and I'm good for it and   when it all for nothing no I and I'm gonna release  myself of that I actually felt that's a question   I gave well if I don't want life don't care then  do I want it and then I said no and I asked myself   this question talking myself and I'm just like no  I can I thought when I want it more than anything   but I'm cool if it doesn't happen and then saying  that I'm like now I'm super powerful it doesn't   matter if it doesn't happen I'm not precious I  don't take on that cloak of pressure off so now   if that cloaks not on my back holding me down I'm  now gonna be able to go faster go faster it's that   feeling and you're the only one who can do that  only one and it's such a personal thing man you   gotta be cool with it like you got to be cool with  saying that it's not everything mmm because like   but then also you got to be it is everything and  do everything in your power to get there and and   playing with a locker gets I'm getting a little  goosebumps whatever called now thinking about   that because that's that's the that's the perfect  little edge for me yeah and that's got to be one   of the toughest things for athletes to be able to  yeah do yeah and why some of them lose it after   they stop yeah and they don't get thanked right  there right like I don't get there and why didn't   they get that especially if they've been lining  up they should have got there what is it it's the   pressure they put on themselves yeah yeah yeah you  feel like you're able to take that off yourself as   well yeah yeah for sure I mean I think that um you  know taking sort of a gern journalistic like like   an approach that is you know like obviously  obviously like if Tokyo didn't work out for   whatever reason like I'm so grateful for whatever  I've had but and you know like I wouldn't be too   I'd be pretty like I've said but I wouldn't be  to disappoint or anything because I've had such a   cool experience with everything anyway and I think  that so I think that's you know I think that's   huge and I think a lot of other athletes should  I think this should be taking into consideration   with you know the mental side of things with with  all athletes is like you really need to we really   need to be at it you need to love what you do  because if you don't and like you don't enjoy   the process of getting to where you're trying  to get like and you do put all the pressure on   yourself to get this one go to achieve this one  goal you know like it's just gonna be it's just   it's not really enjoyable because there is just  like insurmountable amounts of pressure yeah on   you and if it'll rests on the result and then  you don't get there you might not be able to get   back up exactly right yeah yeah and I guess the  you know without sounding cliche it's it's like   look who you guys have become mm-hmm so that's why  it's it's not all for nothing and if you don't win   it's not the end of the world because the point  is that you become great men who have although   that attitude and that mindset and that drive  to influence other people positively and bring   something to the world yeah that said go and if  you got something out of this episode please leave   a comment and subscribe wherever you get your  podcasts it really helps us grow the show so we   can keep bringing you the content that matters if  you want to stay up to date with what we're doing   and get involved get on to the Youngblood podcast  community Facebook group and follow Youngblood or   past on Instagram if you came to get in touch  with me email Youngblood podcast all one word   at hotmail.com this podcast was produced by the  talented Rory note at pod booth you can check them   out at pod booth comte you this is Youngblood  thanks for joining us catch you next time