A Winning Mindset, an award-winning partnership between the International Paralympic Committee and Allianz, is a fascinating journey into the minds of Paralympians, with experiences that can benefit your own personal and professional life.
The official podcast of the Paralympic Games provides a platform for Para athletes to talk about their empowering and inspirational stories and allows each athlete to showcase their true personalities.
WINNER OF BEST BRANDED PODCAST AT THE 2021 WEBBY AWARDS
WINNER OF BEST PODCAST AT 2021 DIGIDAY MEDIA EUROPE AWARDS
WINNER OF BEST SPORT PODCAST AT 2021 SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS
WINNER OF BEST BRAND PARTNERSHIP AT 2022 DIGIDAY MEDIA EUROPE AWARDS
Episodes go beyond Paralympic stories by covering a range of educational, mental health and self-improvement themes. Athletes also tackle subjects that are close to their hearts and of interest to fans. Issues explored include finding purpose, wellbeing, motivation, changing attitudes, overcoming failure, support systems, resilience, positivity, diversity and inclusion, body confidence and many more.
Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we bring you this series of podcasts. We will introduce you to stories with Paralympians that will spark confidence in your everyday life. Stories of challenges, ups and downs, determination, and excellence. Stories that demonstrate the true power of having the right team behind you. And prepare you for what’s ahead.
The Paralympic podcast series is presented by British broadcaster Andy Stevenson, who has reported on the Paralympic Games since 2012 for BBC and Channel 4.
Featured athletes include Tatyana McFadden, Jonnie Peacock and Arly Velasquez. Make sure you subscribe to hear upcoming episodes from athletes including Marcel Hug and Anastasia Pagonis.
S2 Ep1: Introducing A Winning Mindset Series Two
Dec 02, 2021
Show notes
A Winning Mindset, an award-winning partnership between the International Paralympic Committee and Allianz, is a fascinating journey into the minds of Paralympians, with experiences that can benefit your own personal and professional life. The official podcast of the Paralympic Games provides a platform for Para athletes to talk about their empowering and inspirational stories and allows each athlete to showcase their true personalities.
WINNER OF BEST BRANDED PODCAST AT THE 2021 WEBBY AWARDS WINNER OF BEST PODCAST AT 2021 DIGIDAY MEDIA EUROPE AWARDS WINNER OF BEST SPORT PODCAST AT 2021 SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS Episodes go beyond Paralympic stories by covering a range of educational, mental health and self-improvement themes. Athletes also tackle subjects that are close to their hearts and of interest to fans. Issues explored include finding purpose, wellbeing, motivation, changing attitudes, overcoming failure, support systems, resilience, positivity, diversity and inclusion, body confidence and many more.
Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we bring you this series of podcasts. We will introduce you to stories with Paralympians that will spark confidence in your everyday life. Stories of challenges, ups and downs, determination, and excellence. Stories that demonstrate the true power of having the right team behind you. And prepare you for what’s ahead. The Paralympic podcast series is presented by British broadcaster Andy Stevenson, who has reported on the Paralympic Games since 2012 for BBC and Channel 4. Featured athletes include Tatyana McFadden, Jonnie Peacock and Arly Velasquez. Make sure you subscribe to hear upcoming episodes from athletes including Millie Knight, Marcel Hug and Anastasia Pagonis.
S2 Ep3: Tatyana McFadden & Amina J Mohammed: #WeThe15 Special Episode
Aug 27, 2021
Show notes
Episode three of this WeThe15 mini-series of A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics sees Paralympic Games legend Tatyana McFadden quiz Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
As part of the WeThe15 global campaign, the IPC are working with over 20 organisations, including the United Nations, to spark global conversations on the topic of disability rights
Launched ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 aims to end discrimination towards persons with disabilities and act as a global movement publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion, and accessibility.
“The campaign is really important now because what it’s done is brought down the barriers to have those conversations, and not to feel you can’t. Many people have the fear of making a mistake or being improper, and so they start to look past or over you. So this initiative is really important to bring things down to our level, because we don’t get it. It’s a brilliant way of opening up that space.”
Alongside Mohammed, Team USA’s Para Athletics legend Tatyana McFadden moved into the role of presenter after appearing in the first series as a guest. McFadden, now preparing for her sixth Paralympic Games, is looking to add to her phenomenal tally of 17 Paralympic medals.
Webby and Digiday award-winning podcast, A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics, delves into the lives of those at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. Athletes and individuals who have life lessons to educate listeners, and to apply to every single day.
S2 Ep2: Ellie Cole & Michelle Bachelet: #WeThe15 Special Episode
Aug 25, 2021
Show notes
Australian Paralympic sensation Ellie Cole speaks with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on WeThe15’s global importance in the second episode of this A Winning Mindset mini-series.
Bachelet, who prior to her role as UN High Commissioner served as the President of Chile, is a key figure in the world of accessibility, and in her role with the United Nations is part of an organisation supporting WeThe15.
Speaking with Para Swimming star Cole, Bachelet reflects: “Our aim with the IPC was to change the narrative on persons with disabilities. It leads to the lives of people being prejudiced and ableism causes an unconscious bias. To change this narrative, we need a new discourse. The objective is simple: we want everyone to know persons with disabilities represent 15% of the population, and that having an impairment doesn’t make you a lesser person.”
Alongside Bachelet, Netflix’s Rising Phoenix star and Para Swimming sensation Cole spoke on how she sees the campaign playing a significant part in disability rights, as she continues her preparations for her fourth Paralympic Games.
Launched ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 aims to end discrimination towards persons with disabilities and act as a global movement publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion, and accessibility. This episode is the first of four to be released throughout the course of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, focusing on the WeThe15 campaign. To find out more, visit http://www.wethe15.org.
Webby and Digiday award-winning podcast, A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics, delves into the lives of those at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. Athletes and individuals who have life lessons to educate listeners, and to apply to every single day.
S2 Ep1: Anna Johannes & Andrew Parsons
Aug 21, 2021
Show notes
To mark the launch of WeThe15, the biggest ever human rights movement to represent the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons speaks on the significance of WeThe15.
The first episode in this mini-series of A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics, American Paralympic medallist and global advocate for disability rights Anna Johannes speaks in depth with the IPC President on the ground-breaking movement which aims to represent the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities.
"We will use the Paralympic Games as a catalyst, but it is way more than sport. More than one billion persons have a disability, and we want to promote changes in legislation. One in every seven human beings have a disability, and they need to be given an opportunity. Employment, mobility and opportunity. The world needs to change how it treats 15% of it’s population."
Launched ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 aims to end discrimination towards persons with disabilities and act as a global movement publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion, and accessibility. Webby and Digiday award-winning podcast, A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics, delves into the lives of those at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. Athletes and individuals who have life lessons to educate listeners, and to apply to every single day.
S1 Ep21: Bebe Vio on defiance
Jan 08, 2021
Show notes
Bebe Vio. The Rising Phoenix... One of the most recognisable Paralympians of all-time is the guest for the final episode of the series. Contracting meningitis aged 11, Vio had both arms amputated and both legs from the knees down. Today, she is a Paralympic great and one of the faces of the Movement. It’s a position driven by her incredible defiance and ability to challenge perceptions. “They used to tell me it was impossible. 'You cannot do that because you have a disability, you cannot do that because of your prosthetics.'," she explains. "Every time I find this situation, is the moment I really enjoy it, because I must do that. I'm gonna do that. Maybe I need much more time and tries, but it's the moment I wake up so much and I say 'OK, I must do that.'” Vio also discusses the Netflix sensation Rising Phoenix, a film charting the phenomenal history of the Paralympic Games through the lives of the athletes who make it one of the greatest events on earth. Other topics include Vio’s non-profit organisation Art4Sport, carrying the Paralympic Torch and dinner in the White House with Barack and Michelle Obama. The episode with Bebe Vio is the final episode of the series. If you’ve enjoyed what you heard, please leave a review of the series on a podcast platform of your choice. Learning topics for this episode include defiance, pushing boundaries, personal development and resilience.
Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
S1 Ep20: Kaleo Kanahele Maclay on parenting
Dec 29, 2020
Show notesKaleo Kanahele Maclay, a two-time Paralympic medallist, talks sitting volleyball, being a business owner and a mother to a three-year old son. Maclay, who represents USA in sitting volleyball, made her Paralympic bow at London 2012, winning silver, before following it up with gold in Rio 2016. But sport is just one part of her action-packed life. “I have always wanted to bring Duke and my family along because I do think I can do all three. I can be a mum, I can be a family person, a business owner and an athlete. I don’t think I have to choose one over the other. But it is a lot of work to try and make them all work together," she said. “And (I own) Cookies by Kaleo, and I just opened Flour and Flower. I started Cookies by Kaleo just because I wanted something creative to do.” Maclay also reflects on the importance of having the right team around her, most notably, her husband Matthew. “Because we travel so much, Matthew has only gotten to see me play a handful of times but when we lived in Hawaii, he had a very upfront role in training with me," she said. "He was tossing all the balls, learning about all the different aspects of volleyball. And with Duke, I couldn’t do it without him.” There’s talk of Tokyo 2020, growing up with a disability and a potential future star of the volleyball court! Learning topics for this episode include parenting, time management, mindfulness, the importance of family and business management
Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
S1 Ep19: Carlos Serrano on engagement
Dec 23, 2020
Show notesColombian swimmer Carlos Serrano discusses the importance of motivation, passion and purpose in the latest episode of A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. Serrano, who won three Paralympic medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, joined Andy Stevenson to speak about his life outside the pool and the key drivers behind his career so far. “I feel a responsibility of making all people of short stature proud” Serrano says. “I do intend to support sports in anyway possible, I’d like to continue providing motivation to disabled people, so they can work hard and improve.” Serrano, who was born with achondroplasia, also spoke with pride about being a father and how his daughter has changed him for the better since her birth at the beginning of 2020. “She makes me very happy; I am very proud of her, I love seeing her grow up. Sara Luna gives me motivation to compete harder and to win more races. I want her to see me as someone who aimed high and was able to achieve his goals.” Serrano who is preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, also reflects on the importance of his mother and how he sees his future progressing. Learning topics for this episode include parenting, positive mindsets, motivation and envisioning success. Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
S1 Ep18: Husnah Kukundakwe on representation
Dec 18, 2020
Show notesUganda’s star of the pool Husnah Kukundakwe discusses disability rights and representation in Africa and her hopes for the future of the world. Kukundakwe, who made her international debut at the 2019 Allianz Para Swimming World Championships in London, has had quite the battle in her 13 years: from being an outcast at school and in public due to her disability, to becoming the swimming star of Uganda. “(The biggest factor) is the way we are treated in public," she said. "A disabled child would be rejected by their family. They leave them at home to hide from the public. In the rural areas of Uganda, parents who give birth to children with disabilities are seen to be outcast. 'How could you have a kid that looks like this?' Sometimes they will even pray to the original Gods because they think giving birth to a child with a disability means you're cursed.” Kukundakwe, who was born with a limb impairment, experienced it all, including being outcast by her own teachers. But the youngster has defied sub-par facilities, limited opportunities and harassment to become a Tokyo 2020 contender. For the swimmer, her journey will be about more than sport though. “Age doesn't matter because anyone can do anything to change the world and make it a better place for other people to live in. Because if a teenager can do that and make so much in the world, why wouldn't an adult try to do the same?" Kukundakwe also discusses the impact of Malala across the globe and her Malala Fund, in addition to family life and disability representation on a wider scale. Learning topics for this episode include representation, disability rights, changing perceptions, challenging stereotypes, youth leadership and education. Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
S1 Ep17: Markus Rehm on breaking barriers
Dec 11, 2020
Show notesGerman Paralympic great Markus Rehm speaks openly about a life which has seen him break every barrier that has stood in his way. Rehm, the multiple-time Paralympic Games champion in long jump and world record holder at 8.48m, reflects on the hurdles he still has to overcome to reach his ambitions. “I would like to perform at the Olympic Games,” he admits. “Not because I want to be an Olympic athlete, I am a Paralympic athlete and I’m proud of it. But I want to compete at the Olympic Games to prove that it’s worth getting some tickets for our events, that it’s worth watching our events.” Speaking with Andy Stevenson, Rehm also reveals how he is helping others to defy the odds in his day job as a prosthetist. “I had a child - seven years old - who had an accident with a truck and lost both his legs. I met him in the hospital and if I see him now, he’s doing everything. He walks on his two prosthesis, now he’s started Paralympic swimming and it’s just great to see the process.” Rehm also discusses his life as the blade jumper, his ambitions for the future and some secrets about what prepares him for his biggest competitions.
Learning topics for this episode include overcoming odds, breaking barriers, providing an example, determination and scientific advancements. Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
S1 Ep16: Arly Velasquez on Managing Risk
Dec 04, 2020
Show notesA Paralympic skiier from Mexico isn’t something you expect to see too often. But Arly Velasquez doesn’t believe in expectations. Velasquez, one of a select few to ever represent Mexico at a Winter Paralympic Games, discusses the role of risk in his life - and how we can all learn to manage it. “I have developed because of taking decisions where I have no idea. It’s a matter of 'does it feel right or not?'" he said. "I don't see it as a risk, I see that when I am in the mountain on a sit ski, I just feel the most free.” The former BMX champion also discusses the risks he took when leaving Mexico on the spur of a moment, building a new life on the ski slopes in Canada. “(Skiing) gave me the belief to go back to Mexico, sell all my stuff, sell my car and pretty much fly to the border," he said. "It's very, rare that there are moments in your life where you are feeling and your gut tells you that you are in the right place. That you are doing the right thing and that it's something that you want to keep doing in your life. That's what I felt for the first time.” Learning topics for this episode include managing risk, how to build a brand, self-understanding, defiance, thrill-seeking and exploration. Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life. By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.
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