Of all the great individuals I have interviewed, Natalie Du Toit is one of my top three favourites. Why exactly will hopefully become clear in this article as I absolutely enjoyed my time with her!
Try to imagine what it must have been like for her when, as a talented swimmer and 17-year old matric pupil who almost qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics at the age of 16, she lost part of her leg in an accident.
Not only did it seem like her swimming career was history, but when she eventually got back to school she was kept back a year while watching her peers complete their final school year.
At the time, the affect of her medication was that she would often simply fall asleep, no matter where she was. While these were difficult times, she also made new valuable friends.
It is also important to understand that not only did it seem like she would never be able to compete again, but she actually loved swimming; she loved being in water; it was a passion! She wasn't going to let anything stop her.
She decided to swim again and even compete, but had to start off in the slow lane. Again, can you imagine what it was like for her to eventually stand in front of a crowd once again, but this time without part of her leg, about to compete in her first race since the accident? We all know what happened from that day on.
What drove or motivated Du Toit to pick herself up from a major setback in life? When she was even younger it was simple – swimming! She just loved doing it! I suppose this drive was strong enough for her to get back in the pool, which underscores the power of having a ‘passion’ for something.
But, she did not lie in bed and make a once-off decision that she was going to the Olympics again.
She made one small decision at a time to take a next step towards living again, not giving up, which probably went something like this: first step, just back in the pool; second step, participate in some tournament; third step, set sites on an international event; fourth step, to qualify for the Olympics in 2008; fifth step, to perform well in the London Olympics – even in the top five.
As she reached each step her belief that she could achieve more grew - and so did her confidence.
Today she is absolutely confident that she can claim one of the top five positions in the 10km open water race at the coming London Olympics. She very logically convinced me that this was possible.
What drives her today? Swimming is still up there. But, as she matures and grows older she loves being in the presence of people from whom she can learn.
Her message to others who have run into tragedy is to get up, go out and live. The example she gives of someone that lives is her father - who decided to complete his Matric while in his 50's!
I believe the following experience also tells a story of her character and what drives her.
When she was 12 years old she approached an athlete for an autograph. The athlete swore at her. She vowed then never to be like this athlete, should she become famous.
I don’t think she ever dreamed of becoming such an icon as she is today. When people want her autograph she does her best to accommodate them. She also visits people in hospital who may, for example, have lost a limb, to inspire them to move forward.
Was what happened to Du Toit at the age of 17 really a setback? I don’t think so! It was an experience that put her on a more visible platform from which to inspire the entire world. I mean, she won the Open Water Award for bravery during the 2008 Olympics, even though she came 16th?
Who do people look at when swimmers line up to start a race? For whom do people rise to their feet and cheer while swimming? The answer to each question is Du Toit.
So, perhaps the so-called setback was a blessing; a defining moment after which not only one major choice but several smaller choices led to something greater.
Each of us need to remember to ask ourselves this question, when an experience like being retrenched, or having to close a business, or losing a loved one, or not achieving important objectives, feels like a setback: “One day when we look back at this experience will we want to see it as a) a setback or b) a defining moment that flung us on to another platform that led to something greater?”
If you or your team's choice is ‘b’, then ‘be’ brave and plan the way forward, then take step one, step two, step three... As you do this your belief levels will grow and so will your confidence.
I am very sure Du Toit can train overseas like most other swimmers, but she chooses to remain here. She is a magnificent asset to swimming as a sport and to South Africa. I truly hope Swimming South Africa and we as a nation realise this.
For more on Natalie visit www.nataliedutoit.com