“Why am I doing this? Who am I doing this for?”

Olympic swimmer Kayla Sanchez asks the question that every elite athlete eventually faces—and answers it with heart. After winning medals for Team Canada at Tokyo 2020, Kayla made the bold move to represent the Philippines, honoring her roots and deepening her connection to family, identity, and purpose.

For Kayla, swimming for the Philippines isn’t just a career decision—it’s a personal one. “Both my parents are Filipino,” she shares. “They immigrated to Canada when I was three, but I was nurtured pretty Filipino.” Whether she’s watching Manny Pacquiao fights, gathering for big family meals, or breaking Filipino national records, Kayla is fueled by her community’s pride. “It meant so much to my family. Even though I was raised in Canada, I’ve always felt close to my Filipino side—and now I get to represent that on the world stage.”

Now a student-athlete at the University of British Columbia, Kayla reflects on navigating intense pressure, burnout, and the emotional weight of change. “I think it taught me to be more independent. It taught me to vouch for myself.” She’s found new joy in swimming, racing alongside her varsity teammates while still gunning for LA 2028.

Her advice? “Trust your gut. Vouch for yourself. And I’m cheering for you.”

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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