About this episode

Dyl interviews Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary about her life-changing cycling accident and her inspiring journey of recovery and achievement.

This week I'm joined by two-time Paralympic gold medallist, author, musician and life of the party, Alexa Leary. Just days after the five-year anniversary of the cycling accident that changed her life, we both lined up in the La Roche-Posay 10K at Run Melbourne. On recovery day, Alexa joined me in the studio to talk about the amazing journey she's been on since that day in 2021. Doctors told Alexa's family she wouldn't survive. If she did, they believed she'd never walk or talk again. Instead, Alexa rebuilt her life from the ground up; relearning everyday tasks, returning to the pool through rehabilitation, and, just three years later, standing on top of the Paralympic podium in Paris. But this conversation isn't just about what happened in 2021. It's about who Alexa is today. We talk: What happened on the day of Alexa's cycling accident Being told she'd never walk or talk again Relearning everyday life after a traumatic brain injury Losing five years of memories and rebuilding her identity Why she says she's "living a second life" The road from rehabilitation to two Paralympic gold medals The ongoing reality of living with an invisible disability Her mission to raise awareness…

People in this episode

Host: Dyl

Guest: Alexa Leary

Topics covered

• traumatic brain injury
• recovery journey
• Paralympic achievements
• identity rebuilding
• invisible disability
• awareness raising
• personal growth

Keywords

• Paralympic gold medallist
• traumatic brain injury
• recovery
• identity
• invisible disability
• La Roche-Posay 10K
• Sink or Swim
• rehabilitation
• personal growth
• music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Paralympic

Books & works: Sink or Swim

Places: Paris, Melbourne

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