Chantal Petitclerc, Convocation 2015 Honorary Degree recipient

TL;DR

In the face of challenges, our attitude and belief in ourselves can lead to incredible achievements.

Transcript

thank you so much you are too kind to me it's a such a moving privilege and honor to be here today Chancellor I want to say that I believe we are the choices that we make nothing more and nothing less and and you being here today us being here today really shows that that that we choose and we chose and will continue to choose excellence of course ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 The choices we make shape our lives and determine our level of excellence.
• 🥺 Facing challenges and tragedies in life can lead to profound personal growth and learning.
• 👯 Surrounding ourselves with people who believe in our dreams is crucial for success.
• 😃 Big goals are possible with self-belief and a supportive team.
• 🤩 Attitude is the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
• 🫒 Life should be lived with passion and a sense of adventure, even amid responsibilities.
• ⛔ There are no limits to what can be accomplished when we believe in ourselves.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's accident at a young age shape her perspective on life?

The speaker's accident taught her that in situations where everything is out of control, the only control we have left is over our emotions and attitude. It made her realize that attitude is everything and can have a profound impact on our lives.

Q: What were some of the challenges the speaker faced as a wheelchair racer?

The speaker faced doubts from others and struggled to gain recognition and sponsorship for the sport. However, she also had a team of people who believed in her and her dream of making wheelchair racing her career.

Q: How did the speaker prove that big goals are possible?

The speaker's goal of winning five Paralympic gold medals had never been done before. Despite skeptics, she surrounded herself with a team who believed in her and achieved this historic feat, demonstrating that big goals are attainable with belief in oneself.

Q: What advice does the speaker offer to the audience?

The speaker advises the audience to never suffer from "adventure deficit disorder." She urges them to remember that life should be fun, passionate, and lived to the fullest, even in the face of responsibilities and challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on the choices we make and how they shape our lives, highlighting the importance of choosing excellence.

• She shares her personal journey as a Paralympic athlete, starting with the challenge of her accident and the lessons she learned about control and attitude.

• She emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with people who believe in our dreams and the potential to overcome any obstacle.