In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Manasi Joshi speaks with Canadian paraswimming icon Katie Cosgriffe on reclaiming her purpose after a life-altering 2021 diagnosis, leaning into the philosophy of turning life’s hardest trials into its greatest triumphs, and navigating the relentless mental and physical fatigue of elite training. Katie directly challenges the public’s limited understanding and societal misconceptions surrounding invisible disabilities, calling for a narrative shift that recognizes the daily, unseen battles of S10 athletes. Katie reminds us that Paralympians are world-class elite competitors who have earned their place on the global stage, and shows us all that breaking timelines and taking ownership of your own lane begins with the courage to advocate for exactly what you need.
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Flame Bearers is a women’s sports storytelling studio, championing extraordinary athletes and driving conversations around equality, leadership, and high performance. We’ve collaborated with 450+ Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries—including Hilary Knight, Sue Bird, Caster Semenya, and Amber Glenn— and have earned 28 international awards for capturing raw human journeys of resilience, confidence, and mental health. Through video, podcasting, events, and social media, we spotlight the athlete’s story behind the scoreboards, in her own words.