Inspirtational Girls and Women - Silken Laumann

INSPIRATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN, June 2007, by Jenifer Merifield


NEVER GIVE UP
How passion and determination
can defeat any obstacle!


Silken LaumannHave you ever had a day where you felt frustrated, angry, or defeated, and nothing was going your way? Maybe it was a school project or exam, a boyfriend or best friend issue, or maybe an illness or death in the family. Whatever it was, you to give up, there was no hope. And even if someone said "you can do it!", you didn't believe them. Doubt was what you felt stronger than anything else.

Silken Laumann had a bad day. As a matter of fact, she had a day that most people would consider traumatic. While training for what at the time was the most important event of her life - rowing at the Olympics in Barcelon in 1992 - she had an accident. Not just any accident. One that injured her leg right through the muscle and tendon, where the doctors said she would never row again. Raise your hand if you think that's the kind of bad day that would make you want to give up? Especially when you were so close to your dream.

Not Silken! TEN WEEKS LATER she was not only at Barcelon, but she WON the bronze medal for rowing. Talk about your inspirational woman!

Silken had a dream. That dream fueled her passion to the point where she was NOT going to give it up when she hit a bump in the road. A bump that was like a mountain. She wasn't sure how she would overcome it, but she knew she had to try.

With perseverance and determination she made it. Four-time Olympian Silken Laumann is one of Canada's most inspirational leaders. She made the greatest comeback in Canadian Sports History, becoming a symbol of spirit and hope to all Canadians. Since winning Bronze in Barcelona, and many other medals and awards at World and International competitions, she has continued to act as an inspirational force, encouraging people to dream big, live in the moment, and embrace failure as a stepping stone to future success.

So when you are feeling like you just can't go on, think about Silken Laumann, and know that she would say "you can do it". Then you can be sure that if she could climb her mountain, so can you!

There's lots more to learn about Silken, check out her site.

~ Jenifer

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