It’s not everyday you get the chance to listen to a former Black British Athlete speak their truth. After watching the Olympics in 1984 her athletic journey began. Donna Fraser experienced heaps of joy as a young traveling Athlete. Yet there were times when she experienced setbacks that only made her more determined to succeed. Most importantly, the lessons learnt from Donna Fraser can help you with your journey in reaching your goals and becoming your future self.
Childhood memories
Originally from St Vincent and the Grenadines. Donna was born in the 1970s and grew up in Thornton Heath,Croydon. A Teacher at the all girls Primary school she attended would always tell the class to follow their dreams and possess female leadership qualities. A quality Donna holds high to this day and is really passionate about.
Donna’s Mother moved from the Caribbean in the 1960s to set up life in the UK. Watching and playing Sports was a regular hobby the family shared.At the time no-one believed it would be a solid career.So when Donna decided to pursue it further at the age of 8, her sister convinced relatives it was a good idea.
Lessons learnt from Donna Fraser- Challenges
The day Donna changed from juniors to relay race in 1994 she didn’t feel included in the team. Her ethnicity brought discrimination in certain countries she visited. Throughout Donna’s career she had consistently experienced pain after an injury to a specific joint or bone. Although it was manageable it got to a point when she had to go into rehabilitation.Seeing others continue doing what she loved without her physically being able to was difficult. Nevertheless, she never failed to get her mindset right and kept her main goal the main focus. When Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer her career came to a close. Later on, during her retirement she made a comeback appearance in sports after surviving it.Despite the singling out,injuries,illnesses,and races lost this didn’t refrain Donna from sticking to her end goal.
Skills acquired from sport
Donna expressed gratitude especially for the transferable skills sport gave her which was then used in the workplace and other environments.
- Resilience
- Determination
- Time/keeping
- Interpersonal skills
Undoubtedly doing Sport enabled Donna to speak to masses of people because as a child she remembers being shy.
Huge Achievements (BREAKING BARRIERS)
- Ran 6 English School Championships and won every game.
- Won the 200m and 400m in one weekend and one both.
- Came 4th in the Olympic Final.
- Sits on the Sports Committee that the Queen orchestrates.
- Becomes an OBE for services to Equality, Inclusion and Diversity in the workplace.
Role models
Donna’s Mother, Father and Sister are key role models til this day. Her parents would always demonstrate ways for her to be independent. For example, teaching her household tasks. Also, Donna’s sister (approximately 10 years older than her) made a career change from a Dental Nurse to a Lawyer. Another reminder of it never being too late to chase your dreams.
Throughout the talk Donna shared insight and helpful tips around Self-development. It has been split up into bite size sections making it easier to be absorbed mentally and practically.
Decide your passion
- Ask yourself ‘What is my passion?’
- Develop a Vision board (contains quotes, pictures and affirmations). It will inspire you to continue until you reach the end goal.
- Set SMART goals.
- Start a journal. It shows what progress you have made.
Values
- Aim high, don’t set low standards.
- Don’t allow anyone to stand in your way.
- EDI (Equality,Diversity,Inclusion).
- Treat others how you want to be treated.
- Be your authentic self.
- Set short/medium/long term goals.
- Always make tweaks and improvements.
- High performance=Mentality and Physicality.
- Put all efforts into what you are doing.
- Having a supportive network.
Mentors
Donna is a huge advocate of the importance of a Mentor and is a Mentor herself. The mentors helping her along the way are:
- Parents – helped to nurture her and pass down key life skills)
- Sister
- CEO at work
Improvements
Moreover, Donna outlined some key improvements needed in the sporting world. Enabling future generations to have local access to training facilities. Promoting sports in a way that will appeal to girls and encourage more to take part sports in schools or colleges. Along with more services in place to support the next generation.
‘Having a support network is important ’
Ending
Lessons learnt from Donna Fraser are so valuable. Her story magnify’s great courage in overcoming many challenges she faced mentally, physically and emotionally. Donna manifested every single accomplishment due to mastering qualities instilled in her from a young age or that she discovered independently. Key figures in her life contributed greatly to the person she has become. Life is the greatest gift. Every new day is a chance for us to re-evaluate life and package our gift of life the way in which we desire.
All the information gathered in this blog was noted at an Eventbrite online event. (In conversation with Donna Fraser-Youth Engagement Solutions) YES is a London based Registered Charity aiming to help young people in 3 prime areas. Health/Well-being services. Careers/Employment services. Sports/Activities.
Did you miss the story about my fish moment? Read the next blog now ‘Overcoming one fear a day can take the strain away’.
