Podcast 25 – Naomi Riches – Inspiring a new generation with resilience

As a child, Naomi didn’t desire or expect to be an athlete, let alone a gold medal-winning rower.

Labelled “disabled” at just a few months old, due to a severe visual impairment, it was expected that her life would be full of challenges and barriers. Bullying at school and lack of support from teachers resulted in low self-esteem and indifferent exam results. Yet, Naomi grew up with a strong desire not to be defined by what others saw as an impairment.

It wasn’t until college that Naomi found the demanding, challenging but brilliant sport of rowing. Then, seemingly out of the blue in 2004, she was asked to join the GB Adaptive Rowing Team.

During my decade in the sport I won 6 World titles, a Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Game, and at London 2012 Paralympics, Naomi won Gold. At last proving to herself and the world that your abilities and not your disabilities are what define you.

For Naomi, sharing her life experiences with an audience, helping to inspire, motivate and empower them is a privilege.

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