Race to the first gate: Chris Waddell and Joe De Sena on Spartan Up Podcast

It’s not about what happens to you - but what you do with what happens to you. Chris Waddell, injured in a skiing accident in college, went on to medal in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002 Winter Paralympics and become a motivational speaker. He uses his positive perspective to shift the paradigm and concepts of “Nametags,” labels and limitations placed upon people with disabilities and challenges. His advice: In life, like in a ski race, race to the first gate! Always keep your skis pointed downhill- enjoy! Joe De Sena sat down with Chris at the Spartan World Media Fest event by ATP Science that took place at Spartan World Championships in Tahoe where Chris spoke at the Spartan X Leadership dinner.

LESSONS

Sport is a teacher Repetition is key Prioritize what’s important Surround yourself with a great team Find something to love It’s the tiny things that separate good from great You create when your having fun Rely on instinct Start behind the 8 ball Race to the first gate It’s not what happens to you, but what you do with it! Point your skis downhill Perfection is a mirage You have the ability to change your labels and limitations

LINKS

Chris Waddell One Revolution https://one-revolution.org/index.php?p=people/speakers/chris-waddell

This episode is brought to you by SPARTANXLEADERSHIP.COM

TIME STAMPS

0:00 Sefra & Joe introduce this weeks guest- our keynote at the Spartan World Media Fest

1:30 this episode is brought to you by SPARTANXLEADERSHIP.COM

1:50 Interview begins in Lake Tahoe with some Spartan Tea

3:45 Sports as a platform and teacher

5:15 Repetition is key- skills build upon each other

6:30 Skiing at Middlebury College

7:30 An accident and life moving forward

9:00 Becoming the best of himself & prioritizing what’s important 10:10 Having a “athlete mentality”

11:15 Making the college campus accessible

12:15 Having a supportive group of friends

13:15 Starting monoskiing

14:15 Making nationals and the US Ski Team 1

5:00 Making it to the Paralympics

16:15 To recover from something- find something to LOVE!

16:40 SPARTANXLEADERSHIP.COM Break

17:10 Interview continues with the adaptation of the body

18:55 Becoming a full-time athlete and speaker

19:55 the relationship between winning and knowing

20:55 The “little things” that make the difference

22:00 Teaching your body instinct 24:00 Race to the first gate

25:30 It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with what happens

26:15 Perfection is a mirage

27:00 One Revolution Foundation: changing the perception of disability

28:15 Nametags: shifting labels and limitations 30:10 Passion is in creation

30:40 Healing through body movement and dance- saying yes to everything

31:30 Yes… and

33:00 Sefra & Joe debrief after this awesome interview

36:15 SPARTANXLEADERSHIP.COM Close

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CREDITS:

Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion, llc. Hosts: Joe De Sena & Sefra Alexandra Dr. Johnny Waite & Col. Nye are off finding our next guest Synopsis – Sefra Alexandra | Seed Huntress Production Assistant - Andrea Hagarty © 2019 Spartan