Carol Cooke, AM, is a 3-time gold medal Paralympian, 9-time world champion in para-cycling, international speaker, and expert in adversity and mindset. Born and raised in Canada, Carol’s journey began as a young swimmer with Olympic dreams. Fate had other plans when the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games were boycotted and she transitioned her focus to a 14-year career with the Toronto Police force, including four years working undercover in the Morality Unit (Prostitution, Drugs and Gambling).
In the mid 90’s Carol packed up everything and moved to Australia. Life threw a massive curveball in 1998 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Carol ignored her initial doctor’s orders, defying stereotypes and refusing to give up. Carol discovered para-cycling and constantly challenges the notion of what it means to age and slow down.
Carol has written two best-selling books The Force Within and Finding Your Inner Gold, had the original vision for the 24hr Mega Swim which has now raised over $20M for MS Plus, and she lives by the motto “dare to face your fears, believe in yourself, and you can accomplish anything.”
In this episode Andre and Carol Discuss:
3:00 How Andrew and Carol met, becoming an undercover cop and what it was like working on a street corner.
11:30 Learning colourful language from pimps and prostitutes, explaining blowjobs to a judge, how Carol was trained to be undercover and how to transition back to normal life.
20:30 High number of relationship breakdowns in emergency workers, shifting personas for the role you’re in and the frustrating story of how Carol got her MS diagnosis.
30:00 Carol’s husband Ross, winning 3 paralympic medals and how Carol went from swimming to rowing
41:05 Transitioning from rowing to cycling, dealing with the logistics of moving a 20kg bike interstate and the importance of Carol’s sister not joining her pity party.
49:00 The worst year of Carol’s life, dealing with condescending cyclists and working undercover being the best improv coaching possible.
1:01:30 What Carol would say to someone having a rough time, getting through lockdown with the help of the calm app and Carol’s favourite of her many medals.
1:14:40 Competing in Paris at 63, Carol’s views on age and her family’s longevity.
1:23:00 Performance Uncovered.
1:37:15 Andrew and The Wizard’s reflections.
Find Carol at her LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/carol-cooke-am-ply-a728201b
Or at her Website: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/
Buy Carol’s Books: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/books
Find out more about Andrew’s Keynotes : https://www.andrewmay.com/keynotes/
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