In this episode of the O-Studio Podcast, Matty Lovell & Tim Bateman speak with retired New Zealand para-swimmer, Dame Sophie Pascoe, about her journey through identity, motherhood, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sophie shares her experiences of navigating an identity crisis as an athlete, the importance of mental health, and the realisation that love and self-worth extend beyond achievements.

The conversation delves into the weight of expectations on Sophie, the rigorous work ethic required to succeed, and the transition to life after competitive swimming, highlighting the ongoing challenges of motherhood and disability.

Dame Sophie Pascoe shares her journey of overcoming adversity, the pursuit of perfection, and the importance of self-kindness. She reflects on her experiences as an athlete and how they shaped her understanding of what it means to be 'enough' in life.

Sophie discusses the societal pressures of perfection, the significance of embracing differences, and the balance between personal identity and public persona.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wellness and Identity

01:00 Navigating New Roles and Identity

05:59 Identity Crisis and the Impact of COVID-19

12:27 Mental Health and Self-Discovery

15:56 The Value of Love Beyond Achievements

19:01 The Weight of Expectation

27:21 Work Ethic and the Journey of an Athlete

36:27 Transitioning to Life After Swimming

39:36 Navigating Daily Adversity

41:08 The Pursuit of Perfection

42:32 Understanding Enough vs. Perfection

45:54 The Journey of Self-Kindness

47:33 Embracing Differences and Body Image

49:54 Expectations vs. Reality

52:38 The Balance of Identity

55:12 The Layers of Self

01:00:27 Learning from the Journey

01:06:02 A Message to My Younger Self

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