GA was excited to welcome Siri Lindley as our first speaker in the new Lunch & Learn Series for Middle and Upper School students. Lindley barely knew how to swim when she began the training regimen that would lead her to conquer prestigious triathlons such as the ITU World Championships. Today, as the world’s former #1 ranked triathlete, an in-demand coach, one of Tony Robbins’ favorite motivational speakers, and a cancer survivor, Siri has made it her business to change lives for the better.

Lindley’s talk with students was inspirational and motivational. She discussed being fearlessly, authentically herself and her desire to inspire others to do the same.

“At age 23, I completed my first triathlon without knowing how to swim and came in dead last,” said Lindley. “But that day, I decided that I wanted to be best in the world at this sport. I thought about the future me; the one that had a dream. I believed that one day I could make that dream happen. I asked myself how would I show up each day? Eat, train, sleep, day after day. I figured out what I wanted to achieve and what I needed to let go of to make this happen for me. I was finally able to let go of the negative and I wrote a new story – ‘One Day I Can.’ Everyone hates failing, right? But when we fail or fall short, that’s when we learn. When you learn, you grow. When you grow, you make progress. That’s how you become the person you need to achieve that dream.”

“For me, it wasn't about the gold medal, it was about finding love and respect for myself,” Lindley continued. “When you prove that to yourself for the first time, it is an amazing feeling.”

Assistant Head of School Nidhi McVicar was very pleased that our students had the opportunity to hear from such a remarkable individual. “Providing our students with windows and mirrors is a crucial part of our curriculum," she said. "Having a chance to hear about the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs of such a resilient role model gave students a chance to reflect on their own lives and their growth as young adults.”

Lindley implored the students to find the one thing they can be their best at every day. “Success for me was progress,” she said. “I found myself doing a little bit better every day. I was more patient and had a better attitude. I looked every day at what was working and kept doing better than the day before. That’s what I want you to take away from this – don’t get discouraged by bad days. I didn't get discouraged when I was still coming in last place. It made me want more.”

After winning 13 World Cup races, Lindley retired as the top female triathlete in the world. Since then, she has coached other aspiring athletes and written a book entitled Finding a Way: Taking the Impossible and Making it Possible. Students who came to hear Lindley speak were the fortunate recipients of her book.

Lindley encouraged students by reminding them of their own inner triathlete. “Everything I have in me, you have in you.”