The winning edge.
Summer 2024 has been jam-packed with sports, from the Euros to Wimbledon, to now, the summer Olympics – and what better way to kick off the games beginning than by speaking to our very own in-house Olympian, Sarah!
From what got her into sport, to lessons she’s learned from her sporting career which she uses in her role today, we chatted with her all about what’s led her to where she is today…
What first got you into swimming?
S – It all started from being on holiday. I was lucky enough to go abroad for family holidays every summer, and my parents wanted me and my sisters to be confident in water so we could swim in the sea or the pool without them having to worry too much. I’m the youngest of four girls, so my parents would take my sisters to club swimming, and I’d be dragged along to sit on the poolside and watch. Then one week the coach told me to bring my costume for the next session, and so I did my first competition at just 6 years old. To be honest, as a junior I wouldn’t say I was a great swimmer, I just stuck at it because I had a really good group of friends, and going training meant I got to see them.
What are your standout memories from competing in large tournaments?
S – I’d say having my parents watch me at my senior international debut in Budapest at the World Championships in 2017 is a definite standout memory for me. I made the final in all my events, surpassing everyone’s expectations – including my own! None of this would have been possible without the support and guidance from my family. Also, qualifying and competing at the Olympic Games with my 2 best friends is an experience I’ll never forget. The friendships you make with people through sport are truly one of a kind and priceless. If there’s anything I’ve learnt throughout my sporting career and the success I’ve had, it’s that those moments last a few minutes. It’s the people that make it worth it and those are the moments I cherish the most.
How much preparation goes into competing in events like the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics ?
S – My training schedule was pretty intense. In a week I would do 9 swim sessions (1hr 30min – 2hrs long), 3 weight training sessions, 1 circuit, 1 reformer pilates session and physio, so it kept me very busy! The Olympics was a bit of a different one as I competed in the postponed 2020 Games so we were dealing with strict covid protocols. We had to isolate for a fortnight before leaving the country, only going between the pool and home, as there was a key covid test before departure and if you were positive for that test, you were saying goodbye to your Olympic dream. Then once we got to Tokyo, the rules were super strict. Everyone in the Olympic Village had to do a covid test each morning, and masks were compulsory everywhere – even in the call room before your race you had to wear a mask. I actually became quite an expert in wearing goggles, a swim cap and a mask during this time! So, it was definitely a different experience to what I had hoped but memorable nonetheless.
How did you feel winning your first gold medal?
S – For the 2018 Commonwealth Games I was very excited to race as I knew I had a good chance of medaling if things went well. I was 2nd after the heats and 2nd after the semi-final going into the final. I knew I had to keep a cool head and hone in on my experiences from the World Championships the previous season and just enjoy it! I remember being completely shocked that I’d won. I genuinely can’t remember much of standing on top of the podium with the anthem playing! Having my parents out in Australia watching me win Commonwealth gold was one the best moments I’ve had; seeing them after the medal ceremony is a memory I will treasure forever.
What lessons have you taken from your sporting career into your role at Baxter Freight?
S – Although you might not think there’s many similarities between a swimming pool and the Baxter Freight office – I can assure you there are. My sporting career has provided me with so many skills that I’ve been able to implement within my role as an Account Manager, from performing under pressure, working towards targets, there’s more parallels between both industries than you might realise. Within logistics, there’s so many variables that can happen, and you need the self-motivation and resilience (something which comes naturally in competitive sports!) to withstand any issues that come your way to be able to find resolutions and create the perfect solutions.
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