September 09, 2025

Living Life Without Brakes with Ali Jawad | DIVE Ep.5

1 hour 1 minute

Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod

In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Freddie Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom engage in a riveting conversation with Ali Jawad, a four-time Paralympic powerlifting champion. Ali shares his incredible journey through battling Crohn's disease, navigating the tech world with his app for disability fitness, and his relentless drive to succeed in the face of adversity. From his early challenges as a double-leg amputee to his remarkable comeback stories, Ali discusses the critical importance of adaptability, resilience, the role of mentors, and the power of focusing on daily processes over outcomes. The discussion also delves into doping issues in para-sport and Ali's ongoing PhD research aimed at integrity in athletics. Tune in for an inspiring narrative of overcoming obstacles and striving for excellence.

Show Notes

How Ali Jawad transformed adversity into strength through Paralympic powerlifting.

Why being born without legs shaped his resilience and mindset from an early age.

How Crohn’s disease changed his career and forced him to redefine performance.

Why refusing to retire after life-saving surgery became the turning point of his journey.

How his parents’ tough-love approach to adversity built lifelong adaptability.

Why choosing clean sport over doping became a defining value in his career.

How a controversial refereeing decision at London 2012 fueled his hunger for success.

Why surrounding himself with strong mentors created his breakthrough in sport and life.

How world-class coaching and data-driven training rebuilt him into a world champion.

Why the same habits that built a Paralympian helped him launch a groundbreaking fitness tech company.

Guest Pick:

Book: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Link (paperback): https://amzn.to/3IChOR0

Link (hardcover): https://amzn.to/46BwZSL

Link (kindle edition): https://amzn.to/4ptczUq

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Ali Jawad: https://www.instagram.com/alijawadpowerlifter

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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By Yona Knight Wisdom & Freddie Woodward