We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anyika Onuora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anyika below.
Anyika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Writing my autobiography was one of the most thrilling and amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I went through many ups, downs and challenges throughout my career as a professional athlete so to talk about everything so openly (personal incidents I hadn’t told anyone sexual assault, racism, suicide) has been wonderful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
A former global track and field medalist for Team GB for almost 20 years. Winning medals and being successful was the highlight of my career but to write my recent autobiography has been one of my biggest achievements to date. My Hidden Race is about my life and career in sport but there are a lot of incidents both good and bad that have occurred in my life that I’m sure many readers of any background can relate too.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the biggest moments of resilient I had was when I contracted Malaria 10 months before winning my Olympic medal. The doctors and consultants had said I would never comeback from the deadly disease that almost killed me, but I knew I had to give everything if I was going to make the team. I had the right mindset, I was motivated, determined and focused. The outcome was standing on the podium with my Olympic medal.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Telling my story with an open and honest heart and allowing myself to feel free in the process. There aren’t many stories like mine from the world of sport so to tell my story in my own words has been my mission.
Image Credits
@Essodphotography -IG