“I would tell my younger self: don’t let people tell you your worth…you’re the only one in your body—you know best.”

Angélina Lanza is a 2x European champion, World Championship medalist, and 3x Paralympic finalist in track and field for France. In today's conversation, Angélina talks about the highs and lows of her athletic career, including ongoing injuries, losing her mother just before the Tokyo Games, and the everyday challenges of being a woman in para sport. “I had an injury nearly every year. Every time I had to ask, ‘What’s the lesson this time?’”

She shares how sport helped her navigate personal grief: “I put all my energy—and my anger and sadness—into training. I didn’t have another choice.”

Angélina also speaks honestly about gender inequities in sport, especially around appearance, pay, and visibility. “When you’re at the start line, you shouldn’t be worried about your outfit or what people might see on camera.” She also critiques unequal treatment in prize money and gear: “Men would get prize money; women would get cute gifts.”

We also discuss the confidence she gained through para athletics: “I used to hate my body. I didn’t understand why I had muscles. Now I see my body as the tool that helps me perform.”

Her message to listeners? “Think about your goals. What’s stopping you? Just start.”

Photo provided by Angélina

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Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting.

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