Today, I had the opportunity to attend a TED Talk by Gitte Haenen, former Paralympian and inclusive sports coach at Triple Challenge. Without exaggerated drama or big statements, she shared her story in a calm and honest way. What struck me right away was her authenticity. This was not a polished success story, but a human and realistic account of falling, getting back up, and continuing despite setbacks.
From the very beginning, it became clear that this talk was not only about sport, but about mindset, personal choices, and learning how to deal with adversity.
How I saw resilience and growth in Gitte’s journey
Gitte explained how her athletic career began in Thai boxing, where she won several medals. She described that period as intense and formative: physically demanding, but above all mentally challenging. Later on, she made the transition to Paralympic athletics, competing at international level in the 100-metre sprint and the long jump.
What made this part of her story particularly powerful was the way she spoke about change. She did not frame it as something that took away her identity, but as something that forced her to rediscover herself. Each new phase required letting go, adapting, and rebuilding confidence. This process was not without doubt or frustration, and it was precisely that honesty that gave her story so much depth.
Seeing opportunities where others see limits
A central theme throughout the talk was Gitte’s way of thinking. She emphasized that her biggest challenge was never her body, but her mindset. She shared a specific moment when people advised her to stop pursuing elite sport, arguing that her chances of success were simply too small. She admitted that this made her doubt herself for a moment, but that it ultimately became a turning point, pushing her to trust her own beliefs instead of outside opinions.
She explained how easy it is to define yourself by what does not work, and how consciously shifting her focus to what is possible changed everything.
Her motto: “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do”, perfectly captured this mindset. Gitte described how she was often confronted with doubts and expectations from others. Rather than seeing them as warnings, she used them as motivation to keep going and to stay true to her own path.
What struck me most
What made this TED Talk truly meaningful for me was how strongly it challenged my own way of thinking. Even though my situation is very different from Gitte’s, I recognized myself in her description of doubt, fear, and the need for external validation. It made me reflect on how often I unconsciously limit myself by choosing what feels safe or predictable.
Her story reminded me that progress rarely comes from staying comfortable. Real growth begins when you are willing to take risks and allow yourself to fail. The way she approaches setbacks made me reconsider how I look at obstacles, both in my studies and in my future professional life.
Above all, I take her focus on possibilities with me. Instead of dwelling on what cannot be done, actively searching for what can be achieved. This is a mindset I want to apply consciously in my own decisions and challenges. Gitte Haenen’s TED Talk was not a brief moment of inspiration, but a lasting reminder that mindset and perseverance often determine whether you stand still or move forward.
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