Paralympic gold medalist and renowned broadcaster, Ellie Simmonds OBE, is enthusiastically endorsing National Celebration Day, an international event designed to pay homage to individuals who’ve positively shaped our lives. Simmonds reflects on valuable life lessons that have transitioned from her swimming career to her life beyond professional athletics, and unveils the cherished family members she’ll be commemorating this year.
Details of her daily routine are:
When at home, Simmonds prefers rising at dawn. Although her schedule varies with work, on an ideal day, she would rise around 7.15 am, brew herself a cup of coffee, and gradually awaken. Unlike those capable of rising and immediately being productive, Simmonds requires a 30-minute grace period to fully wake up, prepare for the day, and if possible, squeeze in a workout session at Barry’s Bootcamp before breakfast. This routine prepares her for the day.
She feels hopeful about:
The increasing populace striving to make a positive impact on our planet. After attending Earthfest in London, she was struck by the multitude of people actively contributing their part, despite the negativity often portrayed globally. Their collective efforts towards conservation, addressing climate change, and protecting our oceans are commendable. Whether these actions are through organizations such as Surfers Against Sewage or sports, these individuals deserve recognition for their work in conserving our world for future generations.
What irritates her are:
Mid-lane hoggers and discourteous behavior. As she frequently drives for work, she finds it irksome when people occupy the middle lane without reason. Additionally, she finds it frustrating when individuals neglect to appreciate small acts of kindness, such as holding open a door. She believes that politeness costs nothing and should be demonstrated more frequently.
If she didn’t pursue athletics, she would have preferred to be:
A farmer. Simmonds has always liked the concept of caring for animals and owning numerous horses. Her affection for animals—ranging from dogs to horses—indicates that she would’ve been involved in some animal-related profession. Having grown up with numerous animals, she feels they have shaped her personality.
The habit that has proven beneficial in her life is:
Being punctual. She abhors tardiness and credits her athletic background for inculcating this habit, as being late to a training session or race was non-negotiable. This valuable lesson from her coach—that being on time meant being late—has remained with her. She appreciates this lesson as she prefers being early by half an hour rather than frantically rushing.
The habit she’s successfully eliminated is:
Being overly competitive—a trait that served her well as an athlete. While she remains competitive to some extent, she’s learned that not emerging victorious isn’t the end of the world. She’s also trying to adopt a more relaxed approach when plans don’t unfold as expected. Especially when reminiscing about the pressure she experienced for the London 2012 Paralympics, she realizes the importance of reducing this pressure, which she’s gradually learning to do, and understanding that everything doesn’t need to be flawless.
Her sources of joy are:
Being outdoors, especially when the weather is pleasant as it elicits joy amongst people. She also enjoys traveling, exploring different parts of the country and engaging with people. As an inherently social person, spending time with friends, family, and others is a significant source of happiness for her.
When encountering hardships she:
Recognizes that while times may be challenging, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. She finds solace in venturing outdoors, communicating her feelings, and reassuring herself that she isn’t alone. Work can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when it involves constant travel and inadequate rest. At such times, she reminds herself that these are temporary phases and that it’s vital not to agree to every opportunity that presents itself.
The book she recommends everyone should read is:
An indoor plant guidebook. As she’s continuously learning how to keep her indoor plants thriving, she suggests that others’ do the same to avoid becoming involuntary plant assassins.
What keeps her up at night is:
Her tendency to overthink. She ruminates about whether she misspoke or misbehaved, and these thoughts often interrupt her sleep.
What motivates her the most is:
While her motivation as an athlete was to attain gold medals and represent her country, her current motivation is derived from different sources—small challenges, diverse projects, and the uniqueness of each day. She finds the variety in her daily life exciting and motivation-inducing.
Her parents taught her:
The importance of politeness, kindness, and taking care of others. Having fostered over 100 children and adopting five, her parents instilled in her the value of caring for individuals with diverse needs and disabilities. This sense of kindness has significantly influenced her.
She would advise her younger self to:
Slow down and fully immerse herself in every moment. She suggests capturing memories through photos and living in the present. Despite being involved in multiple significant events, she encourages her younger self to pause, enjoy the occasion, and make cherished memories.
Her honorees for this year’s National Celebration Day are:
Her Aunt Shirley and her grandmother. She believes that National Celebration Day is an opportune time to appreciate those who have impacted our lives. She acknowledges the support she received from her family during her competitions, even when they couldn’t communicate directly. Their presence in the crowd and their cheers significantly impacted her life and career.
