This interview had our host in tears. In today’s episode, Majo speaks with Paralympic Gold Medalist Alana Nichols. Playing sports was like a safe haven for Alana, whose family life wasn’t always ideal. But at 17, she broke her back in a snowboarding accident that left her unable to walk again. As a lifelong athlete, this was devastating.

Alana grappled with denial, depression, and isolation in college, until a magical moment turned everything around. Her story is about the power of practice, discipline, grit, and faith. And she shares powerful insights on gratitude – seeing what we have instead of what we don’t have.

Show Notes:
-Growing up as a confident, active tomboy who found her identity in sports at a young age. [4:13]
-On always being a risk-taker and her dreams of playing Olympic Softball. [8:46]
-Coming into her identity as a young teen, dealing with social pressures, and missing the presence of a mother who wasn’t able to be there for her. [13:48]
-Playing sports in high school, being approached by colleges offering scholarships, and the accident that brought everything to a halt. [17:04]
-Reflecting on that critical moment in her journey when everything changed, and her initial denial of it all. [22:18]
-The hard transition Alana faced upon returning home after rehab. [30:05]
-How taking a chance shortcut led to Alana’s magical moment when she was at her lowest point. [35:25]
-Mourning her loss with grace, moving forward, and developing a new dream. [38:47]
-Alana’s journey to the Paralympics and beyond, her insights on risk-taking, and final words of wisdom. [45:23]

References:
http://www.alanajanenichols.com/

Episode Sponsors:
InVision – https://www.invisionapp.com/company
Adobe Creative Residency – http://adobe.com/go/creativeresidency

Music by Lucia Lilikoi – lucia.bandcamp.com