"I touched the wall, saw my time, and was already blown away. Then I saw the 16 next to my name and thought—holy, it's happening."

For Julimar Ávila, swimming was never just about the clock—it was about proving to herself and the world what was possible. Representing Honduras, she became the first swimmer from her country to make an Olympic semifinal. But her path was anything but linear. From training at a YMCA as a child to competing at the highest level, she faced cultural duality, self-doubt, and moments where she questioned if she belonged.

In this episode, Julimar takes us inside her Olympic experiences in Tokyo and Paris, where she battled the unexpected—quarantine isolation before her race, the pressure of making history, and the imposter syndrome that followed. "I started to doubt my own skills, wondering if making the semifinals was a fluke," she admits.

But she found a way forward. Through journaling, self-reflection, and a rock-solid support system, Julimar reclaimed her confidence and learned to separate expectations from joy. Now, in a new phase of her life, she's stepping out of the pool, embracing new challenges—including training for a half marathon and pushing herself outside her comfort zone.

Her message? Trust yourself, embrace the journey, and find your flow. "Every practice, good or bad, is something to be proud of. The fact that you showed up is enough."

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Flame Bearers is the world's first media and production company specifically illuminating the unsung stories of resilient women Olympians & Paralympians. We tell stories via podcast, video, and live events and are working towards a world where people feel more represented, empowered, and enlightened about the power of community.

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