October 07, 2025

The Hidden Olympian with Shelley Dowling-Holroyd | DIVE Ep.9

1 hour 6 minutes

Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod

In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward sit down with Shelley Dowling-Holroyd, a former British javelin thrower, to discuss her remarkable journey in athletics. Shelley shares her experiences from competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to her career transition into athlete support and inclusion within UK athletics. The conversation touches on her personal resilience in overcoming severe injuries, the significance of mental health in sports, and the importance of a coach's role in an athlete's success. Shelley also speaks about the establishment of the Athletics Pride Network and her contributions to the Paralympic community, emphasizing the value of lived experience and paying it forward. Through her story, Shelley provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sports funding, athlete development, and the critical role of mindset in achieving excellence.

Show Notes

How Shelley Dowling-Holroyd turned a life-changing car crash into the driving force behind her Olympic journey

Why she believes resilience is the greatest skill any athlete can develop, both in sport and in life

How failure became a foundation for growth and the key to her long-term success

What losing her athletic identity taught her about purpose, vulnerability, and starting over

Why mental health and emotional preparation are just as vital as physical training for athletes

How Shelley found new meaning in helping others through inclusion, coaching, and athlete welfare

What inspired her to champion disability inclusion and challenge perceptions around ability

Why she believes great coaching starts with empathy, not instruction

How her mentor Frank Dick shaped her philosophy of “paying it forward” in sport

Why it’s never too late to learn, adapt, and begin a new chapter, even after sport

Guest Pick:

Book: Wings by Kathy Wright

Link (paperback): https://amzn.to/47SJ48g

Link (hardcover): https://amzn.to/4nqik44

Link (kindle): https://amzn.to/46lRnbu

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Shelley Dowling-Holroyd: https://www.instagram.com/shelleydholroyd/

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