In this episode, Lily talks about how she became a WCMX athlete, and how she has used her career to shatter prejudices and inspire others.
Background
It was at the age of 13 when Lily Rice became the first European girl to complete a WCMX backflip. It only took her six hours of practicing to manage this feat. Since the age of ten Lily was diagnosed with hereditary spasticparaplegic, which causes rigidity and tightness in the muscles of her body. She struggled with the future of her being in a wheelchair but was inspired by Aaron ‘Wheels’ Fotheringham ( an Extreme wheelchair athlete)
and changed what it meant to be a wheelchair user. She began trying out simple tricks and took up the sport in 2017 after having acquired her first WCMX chair. She was awarded a silver medal in the world championships in Calfornia in May 2017 and in August 2017 took gold in the European Open in Hamburg, Germany. In 2019 she was named the young sportswoman of the year at the welsh sports awards. She has worked to develop the first WCMX chair in collaboration with ROMA Sport.
Highlights of this episode
Lily gives tips on how to overcome the feeling of not feeling confident in their abilities and step out of their comfort zone.
” I think it’s important for all young people but also young individuals with disabilities as well to believe in yourself. Like, just, take all the opportunities that you’re going to get really . My biggest piece of advice for anyone would be like take as many of the good opportunities that you can and those are offered to you just take them because you never know where it could be due. And if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. It’s no big deal but if it does work out it could be something amazing that could change your life
Lily gives advice on becoming successful based on her experience as a WCMX athlete
“you can do anything you want to you just have to put your mind to it or do it differently. So that’s meaning that no matter what situation you’re in, there is a way to do it. You just have to find a way that works for you. “
In this episode, we talk about :
- Lily’s journey to becoming a WCMX Athlete
- How competing in wheelchair motocross developed her inner fortitude
RESOURCES:
Connect with Lily on IG: instagram.com/lilyrice_wcmx/
Connect with Cielo on IG: instagram.com/cielojsolis
Check out Lily’s Website: lilyricewcmx.com/
CREDITS:
Host & Producer: Cielo
Producer: Shanae Simmons
Meet your hosts:
