Desjardins’ Post

The Australian Paralympic Team lit up the stage in Paris Will your organisation rise to the challenge of becoming a leader in disability awareness and inclusion? With International Day for People with Disabilities on December 3 fast approaching, this is your opportunity to stand out and take action. Let’s make sure your company leads the way this year. Need a powerful speaker to inspire your team? Let’s talk! Are you curious about: - what it takes to compete at the highest level, facing immense pressure and uncertainty   - what it feels like to push yourself beyond limits and deliver a flawless performance   - how you’d come back from being told that your physical pain is "all in your head" and you’re "seeking attention" — while you continue to push through   - what it felt like to see your dream slip away due to something out of your control, only to discover a new path that fulfills you beyond what you imagined All of the above happened to me, and more. A snippet of my CV: • Paralympian, 5-time Australian representative, and international gold medalist with stories that redefine resilience and leadership   • Expertise in neurolinguistics and mastering a winning mindset   • Proven strategies for building a culture of inclusion, leadership, and success What I’ll share with you: • Becoming the leader of your life and inspiring others to follow   • The secret leadership lessons from elite sports that apply to every organisation   • The strategies to create an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture   • Resilience, self-belief, and the mindset needed for lasting success Give your team the inspiration and practical tools they need to succeed—drawn from the world of Paralympic sport and beyond. 📅 Ready to take action? Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit www.iamellesteele.com to book me for your next event.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Paralympian Curtis McGrath embodies this truth. His story sheds light on the immense potential that lies within every individual, regardless of physical ability. After losing both legs in a landmine explosion serving as a soldier, Curtis could have given up. Instead, he drew upon his inner strength and rewrote his story, becoming a world-class athlete and an inspiration to millions. His resilience teaches us that adversity doesn't define us, but our response to it does. Curtis McGrath's story also reminds us that disability does not equate to inability. It shows us the importance of determination, the value of setting new goals, and the power of believing in our own potential, no matter the obstacles. His journey encourages us to face our challenges head-on and reminds us that we can achieve greatness with the right mindset. The Paralympics are more than just a sporting event; they are a beacon of hope that lights tangible efforts towards building a world where diversity is embraced, talents are valued, and everyone is empowered to achieve greatness. They spark crucial conversations around what it means to be genuinely inclusive, pushing us to take meaningful action. The athletes' stories, like Curtis's, challenge perceptions and break down barriers, proving that ability is not defined by physical limitations but by courage, perseverance, and heart. Let's celebrate the Paralympian Curtis McGrath's journey as an incredible strength of the human spirit that inspires us to champion inclusion and diversity in all areas of life, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shine. 🌟 #Inclusion #Diversity #Paralympics #CurtisMcGrath #Inspiration #OvercomingAdversity #LinkedInNewsAustralia

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia In my opinion one of the challenges of this topic is that it doesn't directly touch everyone's lives with the same degree and for some it is unfamiliar and given that we as humans can fear, resist, reject or ignore what we don't know or understand, that creates barriers to effecting meaningful social change. If we look back at history at parts of our regular daily lives, it's easy to forget that these were hard won victories of the bygone era - Voting rites, gay marriage, freedom of speech... and for them to become normalised to the point where they are no longer 'unusual', challenging or controversial takes time and a shift in the social conscience. We have seen this with many other important social issues like mental health, domestic violence, gender equality and homelessness where until the topic is openly covered and discussed in mainstream media on a day-to-day basis rather than just once every four years, that real change is slow. Certainly our country, people living with a disability and the broader need for greater diversity and inclusion have much to thank the likes of Curtis McGrath OAM PLY, Dylan Alcott OAM and Damien Thomlinson for sharing their stories and inspiring us with their incredible life journeys of overcoming adversity. They pave the way for others to follow, as many have done to help reframe and set a new narrative for diversity and inclusion and encourage us all to be aware of our own unconscious bias and not to judge a proverbial 'book by its cover'. The real power to drive public opinion and effect attitudinal change though still resides with the mainstream media and online platforms and how they behave. And whilst the coverage of the Paralympics was better this time than I have seen before, I feel like we still have some way to go. So, being able to watch events like these with the same ease as the Olympics, supported by the same fanfare, combined with celebrating the successes (and by this I don't mean only those who receive a medal) and stories of anyone overcoming adversity, will help normalise the topic and bring it more mainstream and into our lives so that we can appreciate and relate to anyone with a disability as another human being. Blair Rebecca

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia Curtis McGrath's story is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and the ability to transform adversity into a source of strength. There are several key lessons that others can learn from his journey: McGrath's ability to recover from a life-altering injury and redirect his life towards a new goal is a testament to the power of #resilience. This demonstrates that adversity, while challenging, can be a catalyst for personal growth and new opportunities. For others facing difficulties, it’s a reminder that setbacks don’t define your future—how you respond to them does. McGrath highlights the importance of setting #goals that #challenge you. By setting ambitious targets, you push your boundaries and often #achieve more than you initially thought possible. This is crucial for anyone looking to overcome challenges—having clear, motivating goals gives you something to strive towards, even in the face of adversity. McGrath's journey also emphasizes the importance of #teamwork and the #support of others. Whether in sports or life, having a strong support system can provide the encouragement and resources needed to overcome tough situations. McGrath used sport as a way to heal both physically and mentally. Finding a #purpose or a passion can be a powerful way to channel energy positively and foster recovery. For others, this suggests that engaging in activities that bring fulfillment can aid in overcoming personal challenges. Overcoming Adversity? I tend to break down large, daunting challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate each small victory, which builds momentum. I am not afraid to lean on others—whether friends, family, or colleagues. Their support can provide strength when yours is waning. I accept that life may not return to what it was before adversity, and instead focus on what you can control and improve in the new situation. The #Paralympics have the power to significantly boost conversations around #inclusion and #diversity. They showcase the incredible abilities and achievements of athletes with disabilities, challenging societal perceptions and biases. This visibility can lead to greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, and in turn, inspire more inclusive practices in various spheres of life, including the workplace. By highlighting similar stories , the Paralympics can inspire broader societal change, encouraging businesses, communities, and individuals to prioritize inclusivity, create accessible environments, and celebrate diversity. These discussions can translate into tangible actions, such as better representation in media, improved accessibility standards, and inclusive policies in workplaces.

How inspiring! As someone who values creativity, it's great to hear her say how important creativity is in sport, where it's mostly based on objectives, performance stats and data. I have loved watching you at the Olympics Lisa Carrington, you do New Zealand proud. As a budding paddle sport enthusiast I am in awe of the speed, the rhythm and how majestic top paddle sport athletics make it look. such a pleasure to watch. Lisa Carrington exclusive: The power of creativity and the importance of staying grounded:

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia Yes. there are two wonderful things that happen with the Paralympics. One we can admire the wonder, skill, and commitment of these wonderful athletes. Hence encouraging diversity. Two, possibly more importantly, this competition gives paralympians hope. As they compete and succeed.

This is what commitment and passion is

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia I've met Curtis McGrath and he's a great bloke with an incredible story. With his German-made bionic legs he walked up the stairs to the podium to deliver a speech at a conference I was running. His approach and resilience and achievements captures the essence of what makes Australia great. For Australians, sport is a great leveler for conversations. We just watched in ore as the Australian Olympic team in Paris punched above their weight and returned 53 medals including 18 gold. We ranked 4th overall. Based on our population we deserve to rank 55th. On average we rank 8th across all Olympics. But when you talk Paralympics, that's another level up again. Australia ranks 6th on average across all games. The stories of our Paralympians help us appreciate not only their determination to overcome adversity, but to also highlight the human factor. At the end of the day we are all different but we are all the same in so many ways. Note: AI was not used to write this post;)

Curtis McGrath's journey is a powerful testament to the strength of resilience, positivity, and the human spirit. His story demonstrates that even in the face of extreme adversity, it's possible to find a path forward and thrive. One key takeaway from McGrath's experience is the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, even when life throws its hardest challenges at us. It's natural to feel overwhelmed by negative responses or setbacks, but these don't have to define our journey. Instead, they can serve as opportunities to reflect, regroup, and continue moving forward with renewed determination. I often remind myself of a simple yet profound analogy: If we desire something, a cup of coffee on the table in front of us, for instance, we can't just wish for it to come to us. We have to take action, get up, and reach for it. Similarly, in life, we must take proactive steps toward our goals, knowing that while we can't always control the outcomes, we can control our efforts. As long as we keep pushing forward, there is always hope for a positive result. McGrath's ability to shift his focus from what he had lost to what he could do is a powerful testament to the transformative power of mindset. In the midst of losing his limbs, he was already thinking about how he could use what he had left to build a new life. This shift from dwelling on loss to seeking out new possibilities is what propelled him from a place of despair to becoming a two-time Paralympic gold medalist. His story also highlights the importance of being open-minded and agile. McGrath didn't just accept his circumstances; he explored new avenues, like Paralympic sport, which he had never tried before. This willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and repeatedly strive for improvement is a key ingredient in his success and a valuable lesson for all of us. In every aspect of our lives, McGrath's story encourages us to hold onto hope, stay positive, and constantly push ourselves to do just a little bit more. No matter the obstacles we face, there is always the potential for something positive to emerge as long as we keep moving forward. Let McGrath’s journey remind us that with resilience and a positive mindset, we can turn our adversities into opportunities for growth. The right attitude combined with determined effort can make all the difference. #LinkedInNewsAustralia #Resilience #PositiveMindset #Reflect

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. To further boost inclusion, organizations could: Partner with Paralympic athletes for workplace talks on resilience and diversity. Review and enhance workplace accessibility policies. Promote adaptive sports programs in local communities. McGrath's story reminds us that with the right mindset, support, and determination, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and achieve greatness. #LinkedInNewsAustralia