On Her Game with Sam Squiers

Para triathlete Lauren Parker: the accident that changed everything, getting back on the bike and dealing with debilitating nerve pain


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A routine training ride the week before her first professional Ironman changed Lauren Parker's life forever.

When Lauren's tyres burst, she flew off her bike and into a guard rail at 45km/h. She was told she had 0% - 1% chance of walking again and had to learn to transition to life and sport in a wheelchair.

In this episode, Lauren speaks with host Sam Squiers about:

  • Her childhood as a competitive swimmer and triathlete
  • Managing an eating disorder throughout her teen years
  • The accident that saw her become a paraplegic
  • Competing at the Commonwealth Games 9 months after her accident
  • The differences between able-bodied and para triathlon
  • The chronic nerve pain which has followed her every day since her accident
  • Winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics by less than a second
  • And returning to Ironman racing and Kona

If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with wheelchair racers Madison de Rozario, Ella Sabljak & Louise Sauvage.

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On Her Game with Sam SquiersBy Sam Squiers

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