Your ability to tell a story is superb. Whether it is an inspirational, vulnerable story like your swimming career or a hilarious take on day-to-day life. I love your channel Charlotte. ❤️
You have great parents ❤. Thank you for sharing this with us. You know, this experience has made you the empathetic, kind, strong, lovely person you are today. I’m sure it also contributes to you being an OUTSTANDING mum to your kiddos. I can only imagine how hard it is to say this out loud and put in on the internet for the world to see. And it’s true- you do lose people as you change chapters in life. It is a hard truth. But they are all still part of you. And I’m certain you have positivity impacted countless athletes over your career- past, present and future. Really appreciate this video.
thank you so much for sharing your story. As a mom of a young athlete, I have seen my son go through a slightly similar situation over the past season. He is still very young, and the stakes are no where near as high yet, but he also sustained this emotional injury from his sport, the combo of being in the national selection and all of the restraints and not having that connection with the coaches... He is slowly recovering, and I feel like he will come out the other end a stronger person.
This was so, so interesting and thank you for sharing it, not going to lie there was some eye leakage listening to your story. A great first hand insight in to how bloody hard it is to try and fulfill your dreams in your chosen sport.
Charlotte, I'm truly touched by your story. But what a wonderful life journey you've had. I mean, think about it, you had an amazing life experience, and I'm so proud of you for getting out of it when you could. What if you'd stay and be miserable all the way up. That's not what anyone would want as a life experience. You're amazing, strong, and you turned your life around no matter what you went thru. That, to me, is the biggest win one could achieve in life. ❤❤❤
Thank you for sharing. I think most of us don't know and understand how incredibly determined, brave and hard working athletes are. I admire that. And to me it's not about whether people "make it " to the top, it's everything they do on the journey. You can use all that determination, grit and perseverance and use it anywhere else in your life and in the world.
Oh Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing! I've been so dying to know your story! Cried along with you 😭 as a former athlete to a MUCH lesser degree (swimming and athletics, a sprinter in both, long distance be damned lol) this was especially interesting! Sending you so much love❤️❤️❤️
I'm so proud of you, Charlotte. You're brave, you chose a challenge and did whatever you could to conquer it. And you know what? It takes a lot of courage to admit when things aren't good for you anymore, and to know when to step away. I'm so proud of the lessons you took from these experiences, and I'm so happy you had a supportive coach and family. It fills my heart to know how you were loved, accepted and cared for. I wish for you to enjoy the pool just for fun, without the past pulling you down ❤️ You did good, Charlotte. You deserve to enjoy it
Thank you for sharing! I still have Olympic dreams at 40...but am aware that I am lucky in that due to my sport (dressage). However the luck aspect with horses is extreme (since their life goal appears to be finding the most dramatic way to die possible)...on top of that the amount of money you need to acquire a horse of the quality for the Olympics is a whole other barrier. Being serious about sport is so much effort and so much heartbreak. Thank you for sharing.
I really resonated with your story. As a former swimmer (sprinter as well) I can really relate to ups and downs of higher level competition. I definitely remember the pain of deciding to quit the sport and being afraid to disappoint my parents. Like you, I rarely swim laps now. 😊
It was so interesting to hear your story Charlotte, and you were very brave for sharing what is obviously still a painful subject. If it helps at all, many people in different areas never quite achieve their dream. I had a similar situation playing the flute. After years of lessons, youth orchestras, auditions, scholarships etc etc the expectation was that I would eventually join a Symphony Orchestra. At the 11th hour, I decided I didn't want to be a struggling flute teacher while waiting for one of those (very rare) roles to become available, and had to have that same awful conversation with my parents who had supported me for all those years. Like you, I very rarely even pick up my flute and that's 20 years later. 🧡💛❤
Thank you, Charlotte, for speaking about it. It took a lot of courage for you to do so, so thank you! ❤ You are amazing! I met two Olympians, one a gold and bronze medalist (they don't speak about it at all). All I can say is that they are such humble and down-to-earth people! Also, it is so sad how some countries treat them when they retire (in some countries, their pensions are incredibly small)! Because of that, they now work in their other professions (luckily, they both went to college and are very successful). You are the first person I have ever heard speak of retired professional athletes.
This was so interesting to me, as someone who has never been into sport I learned a lot and was thoroughly entertained as usual with your storytelling! (I was also mesmerised the whole time by your eyeshadow look today!) Thanks for sharing, Charlotte 💜
59:32 this concept is so validating to hear for me in re to ballet. My body type, which no matter how much weight I lose or how hard I train in the gym, has and will always be a pear. My hips and thighs are proportionately much bigger than my upper body and waist. And this fact coupled with my average height of 5’6” and that I wasn’t naturally born with roomy hip sockets (no matter how many hours I spent trying to work on turn out) meant I simply would never be a professional ballerina no matter how many dozens of hours a week for years I spent in the studio. That realization hit me so hard my junior year of high school when I had to decide between pursuing university or auditioning for a company. It’s truly tantamount to losing your identity. BUT! It’s a happy ending because I joined my university’s swing competition team and fell in love with a fellow blues dancer 🩵💃🏻🕺🏽
Does anybody else know this feeling of scrolling through your feed when you should have turned out the light at least half an hour ago? And then finding videos that really excite you? But you feel like you're too tired to appreciate them? And decide to watch them the next day? So looking forward to watching this right now 😊!
Hi Charlotte, I just want to thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. I recently had to quit my 'dream job' because it was becoming my worst nightmare and I experienced similar feelings to what you described. Sometimes it is just better to accept that 'dream' is doing more harm than good as you said. You should be very proud of yourself for all your achievements and all the competitions you were able to assist during your time. It is truly an inspiring story, thanks for sharing!
I hope this video gets the views. It is so deserving of them. Enjoyable and informative. I never knew all the ins and outs of swimming at international level but i do now!. So important to be abke to swim and a definite life skill. Thank you so much for sharing and in an elequent, interesting way 😘
Charlotte I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video and how useful this is. I mentor students and help them with future pathways - some of which are aspiring Olympians or aspiring future athletes. As a part of my sessions I do speak about sport psychology/mentoring as a potential plan b. I would love to hear more about your work in how you have advised former athletes and what advice you would give to students who are thinking about this pathway in the future. I will certainly be signposting my students to this video. By the way your story was so moving I cried! Your story is so inspiring. What an amazing example of resilience and strength. Much more interesting than a straightforward tale. Your feeling of winning the bronze for the 200 sums it up. What an incredible incredible journey you have had and to have so much on your shoulders at 21 and under. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing this ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for recording this video, it was absolutely fascinating and engaging and educational from start to finish. Clearly it was difficult to share so much of this experience in this way, and I hope it does help you to heal. Also, your intelligence, passion, empathy, warmth and thoughtfulness just shine through throughout.
Thank you for sharing your story with us Charlotte! I think we all got emotional right there with you! ❤ You are a great storyteller and it was so interesting and moving to hear about your journey with swimming.
As a former swimmer myself (though not at an international level!) I absolutely loved hearing your story and found it very relatable! ❤🏊🏻♀️ you should be so proud of everything you achieved - it’s not easy, especially when you’re training and competing so young. Loved that you went on to help other athletes with their transition- really inspirational ❤❤
Thank you for sharing your story. My dance career never took off, and so I lived vicariously through my twin daughters. They danced 5 days a week en pointe and jazz. They also were in the school band. The amount of money spent on replacing pointe shoes at least once a month each! Costumes, tuition, so much money and time. When they graduated, it was all over. It was a big hole missing. However, at 26, they both look back and are proud of what they learned about working towards a goal and putting in hard work. I was happy to hear their positive memories.
Your story is so interesting, your devotion is admirable and it was nice to hear about how swimming was a way to spend time with your dad. It sounds like perhaps burnout from swimming later? I had similar with my work and had to take time off due to burnout. Taking a complete break definitely helps! I think doing a lot of anything can take its toll even if it’s something you love
Aaah I cried my eyes out!! I didn't know how much I needed it😂 Bless your coach for saying that to you❤ I hope in that moment all the weight was lifted from your shoulders. And how real "sport isn't fair" spot on. I need a minute to recover... 😅❤❤❤ Cheers Nadia❤❤❤
Thanks Charlotte!!! It's really eye opening to hear some of these things from your perspective as an (ex) athlete. Subsequent questions: - Did you ever got in contact with your trainer Amanda after all of that? - Did your family move back to Devon or (somewhere else) or did you all stay there at least? If these questions are too personal forget about them!!! Just asked the moving question because we had to move for work and if I could, I would move back as soon as possible. Again: Thanks❣️ 😘
You are amazing! Thank for being vulnerable and sharing this with the public! I think the hardest lesson in life is to realize the expectation is the root of all heartache and look at what an incredible woman you have become!
Bless you, Charlotte. Hard to see you still so upset by your story. I hope the work you did subsequently, helping other athletes cope with what you went through helped give you an understanding of just how valuable you are.
❤ I love that your best experience was the time you spent with your dad. I lost mine at 13 and that priceless relationship and time you had together could make me cry… thank you for sharing!!
thank you so much for taking this on for us! dreams as those that serve as motivations don't have a binary classification into success and fail I think...I see it more of a motivation train that drives us onwards in life, but if the ride becomes to bumpy and unpleasant at some point and just doesn't feel like the best train to commute with...then it's time to transit:) but all those hours and tears have much more than a Olympic medal: strength, stamina, understanding of passion and a perspective on life which not many of us get
Well said!! People who work hard for their dreams gain a lot of great skills and experiences that will serve them for the rest of their life. People are bigger than their dreams.
Thank you so much for your vulnerability and insight into what it’s like to be an athlete at that level. My husband and I both watched this and enjoyed it!
❤ thank you so much for opening yourself up and being vulnerable. It just adds to the amazing character that I already knew you had. You are very right that most of us regular folk don’t know what it’s like in the life of a high-performance athlete. Just regular school sports is demanding enough of a child, but to compete on that level is a whole other world. I’ve said it before Charlotte you are my virtual BFF I enjoy listening to you as I get ready. It’s like having my best gal right here with me. You make me laugh. You make me think I’m just very thankful for your videos and your input.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and moving story. It is a wonderful and beautiful thing to do, to allow fellow humans not to go through what you went through. It is selfless and generous.
This was a fantastic video Charlotte. Thank you for your raw venerability and honest account. I found it moving, interesting and humbling. Incredible ❤
What an amazingly excellent video Charlotte😍😍Being an elite athlete in figure skating a lifetime ago…everything you said touched home, and was so so true💕💕
Thank you for this inspirational video! You are definitely successful at being a wonderful person. Your journey, I’m sure, contributed to being who you are now, the Charlotte we all love.❤
Wow, what a fascinating video Charlotte. Loved it. Thank you for sharing your experiences with such detail, honesty and openness. I was so moved by you. x
I’m sorry you had that life changing challenge at so young an age, you had to rebuild your life and you were very courageous to make that decision, you are a resilient, authentic young woman, well done love x
I found this fascinating Charlotte. Thank you so much for sharing and being so honest about the impact high level sport has. I swam at club and county level in the 70’s. I enjoyed the camaraderie of being with my swim team friends but know what you mean about the loneliness even though I didn’t train at anything like your level. You have done an amazing job in coming through the heartbreak, but I find it so sad and very alarming that the coaches and other professionals pushed you to that point without ever seeing the impact it was having on your mental and physical health. I think you’ve been very brave to expose this and share so openly. 🤗
Thanks for sharing your amazing swim history. So fascinating. I think you are a wonderful daughter & your parents sound lovely. And your Nana 🤍 Do you & Amanda still keep in touch?
I really enjoyed hearing your swimming-life story! What important life lessons you've experienced and shared! You, without a doubt, are a champion!! Thank you for sharing!! ❤
im really sorry that u had to go through all of this. im sure your parents would have done the same thing for you again. i see how much u love your children, and u know what u would do for them. if they didn't move for u, they would have always been upset with themselves. as a Mom we know that. we always put our children first and we can't do anything else
It took me some time to watch this. I think you are so brave to make this video. Explained it so well. (My question was answered in this video, that felt so special to me.) I was picked by my sport teacher when I was around 7 in school to go to a swimming club because she thought I was talented. I actually had no support from my parents to give it a try properly. They were not willing to invest time or money in this. So I never got into professional swimming. Years later when I was about 17 years old that teacher run into me by accident and she remembered me from when I was 7, and she told me she was so sad I never started swimming because she believed I could be really good. I never forget that actually. For the longest time had regrets about this, but now I am ok with that. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It is good to see that professional swimming is really hard even when you are talented. Your story about that brons medaille made me tear up. Thanks again for doing this video.
Thank you so much for sharing, Charlotte. This is such a touching and inspiring story on so many different levels. You would be a great motivational speaker. It was also so sweet to see the video with your child in the pool, thank you for sharing that. Side note, I asked the first question and I feel so honored to be included. I apologize for my IG handle, it’s my last name backwards with my first initial and no one can read it bc it’s not pronounceable. Next time I will add my name in the box to help out 😊
Charlotte, my radiation treatments start this Friday and end on 12/24. Then one more CT Scan and blood work then Oncologist and Surgeon in January 2025. It been quite a journey and a long one at that. The upcoming holidays I will be resting and getting my husband off to work. Just wanted to keep you posted. I will think how vulnerable you were to share with us your journey with swimming. I will fight to be cancer free.💗💖
Don’t know why this didn’t show up in my feed, I was watching another video and it was showing on the right side of my ipad, whaaat, I immediately clicked on it.🙀 thank you so much for sharing your life/story with us, I had no idea, I shed tears with you, wish I could have given you a hug.❤❤❤
Congrats on making it to 80K 🎉🎉🎉💖💖💖. I’ve been hoping for a long time that you’d do this video as it’s something that only a minuscule percentage of people can even realistically have the Olympics as THEIR dream.
Wow! & Wow ! … your story is so inspirational… I was on the treadmill whilst watching & listening to you, but had to stop a number of times due to the “ tears” popping from my eyes … you are an amazing “ Charlotte “ .. & I have so much respect for you ..❤
I can’t say I can even begin to understand except for the fact that my nursing career ended abruptly. Not the same I know, but I know the tears and pain of feeling that you’ve let yourself and your family down. But God gave both of us a different life and new loves. Be proud of your self for your accomplishments. I admire and respect you even more. You’re still a Winner!❤
Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing! Your story reminds me a lot of my own, I was a ballet dancer and trained at one of the most prestigious, elite ballet schools in the world. I was lucky enough to dance with some high profile companies but transitioning into another career was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. Ballet was everything...it was in my body, it was in my thoughts and it was in my soul. It was super interesting to hear about your successes and struggles. Now on a professional note: there's a fantastic sort of pension plan for dancers in The Netherlands (where I live), and it's quite unique in the world. It helps dancers both mentally, practically and financially (!) to change careers. Like in sports, life onstage for a dancer is short. If this is of interest to you from a professional perspective, please reach out. All the best to you and thank you again for this interesting and inspiring post!
Great story. I think you are so right emphasizing how rare it is to be truly successful in sport. Quite an achievement you got as far as you did. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always been an athlete, not near your level. This is so important and relatable in so many ways. My first boyfriend was toxic, and I was so young it never occurred to me leaving him was a choice I could make until someone flat out told me I could. Not unlike your coach saying ‘you don’t have to do this.’ Thank you for telling your story.
Oh my goodness what an emotional video Charlotte. It was amazing hearing your story and I remember watching you many years ago and I am sure it was not easy recounting your story. Thank you so much for relating everything to your followers on RUclips. We are all privileged to know you and have you as a RUclips presenter. Thank you for sharing your story with us. ❤❤
Thank you for sharing this part of your life. It's not always easy to talk about things in our past. I really appreciated your message of it being okay to let go of things. Thank you again ❤
This was such an amazing and vulnerable video you put together Charlotte! Thank you so much for doing this. As a non-sporty person I find this world so interesting and I really appreciate you sharing your personal story. You are such a strong person in every way!!!!
You're story is just like mine but substitute horses . I'm lonely now because all my show riding and breeding friends live all over the place. I made it to tieing for reserve national championship My horse won in professional with my trainer Canada and US. God I miss it so much but I'm too old and too injured to compete. Thank you for sharing your story. You're still a champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❤
Thank you for sharing your personal story Charlotte! Elite Sport is absolutely brutal, and people do not realise the sacrifices the athletes have to make and their families, the mental strength it takes. You are such an amazing person and inspiration, thank you ❤
Thank you for sharing your story. It was obviously difficult and so interesting and still makes you sad. Going through this has obviously made you able to empathise with others. Your family must be so proud of you too
How interesting thank you for sharing ! I love the bit about your relationship with your dad💕 thank you so much for sharing such an emotional time of your life
Thank you for sharing your story. You are amazing for letting us in on your personal life. We appreciate you so much for all of your work. Much love and many blessings ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I was a swimmer as well. I do have friends who were medalists and achieved the “dream”. My international experience was in University competition. I had a family member who made the Canadian Olympic team at 12. It turned out badly. It’s a strange space. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for telling your story Charlotte! I love the footage for you holding your baby in the pool considering how much you hated everything pool related after your retirement. It had me shedding a few tears to tell you the truth❤
I'm a fairly new subscriber and I didn't know about your background but I was super into sport. I was never going to get to any kind of competitive level but i still got competitive 😅 but that's also a blessing that I wouldn't have gone into training and only doing sport and seeing that heartbreak. I think there's nothing quite like sports because there are some physical facts you can't overcome like a height, limb span etc and to have to spend that much time training. And that's not including the mental challenge. So thank you for sharing your story. Chronic fatigue syndrome sounds awful and getting to that painful place with an activity that you started off loving it.
Oh Charlotte, big hugs!!! So glad you’ve found a fulfilling career now. I was a swimmer in high school and at the beginning of university. My high school didn’t take sport very seriously so when I went to university at a NCAA school I was expected to swim about 3 times as much. I was so exhausted. I wound up quitting 3/4 of the way through my first year. The coach was as trying to convince me to finish the year and I just couldn’t do it.
Your ability to tell a story is superb. Whether it is an inspirational, vulnerable story like your swimming career or a hilarious take on day-to-day life. I love your channel Charlotte. ❤️
This was fascinating and heartbreaking. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability!
I would never associate the word failure with you Charlotte. You are my hero ❤
You are not bragging. People are born with certain gifts.
Charlotte, you are an inspiration for young women. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. My heart just broke for you as you described the end of swimming journey. Kudos to your wonderful parents.
You have great parents ❤. Thank you for sharing this with us. You know, this experience has made you the empathetic, kind, strong, lovely person you are today. I’m sure it also contributes to you being an OUTSTANDING mum to your kiddos. I can only imagine how hard it is to say this out loud and put in on the internet for the world to see. And it’s true- you do lose people as you change chapters in life. It is a hard truth. But they are all still part of you. And I’m certain you have positivity impacted countless athletes over your career- past, present and future. Really appreciate this video.
Thank you for being so open, brave and honest about your experiences
thank you so much for sharing your story. As a mom of a young athlete, I have seen my son go through a slightly similar situation over the past season. He is still very young, and the stakes are no where near as high yet, but he also sustained this emotional injury from his sport, the combo of being in the national selection and all of the restraints and not having that connection with the coaches... He is slowly recovering, and I feel like he will come out the other end a stronger person.
This was so, so interesting and thank you for sharing it, not going to lie there was some eye leakage listening to your story. A great first hand insight in to how bloody hard it is to try and fulfill your dreams in your chosen sport.
Ditto!
Charlotte, I'm truly touched by your story. But what a wonderful life journey you've had. I mean, think about it, you had an amazing life experience, and I'm so proud of you for getting out of it when you could. What if you'd stay and be miserable all the way up. That's not what anyone would want as a life experience. You're amazing, strong, and you turned your life around no matter what you went thru. That, to me, is the biggest win one could achieve in life. ❤❤❤
Such a privilege for you to let us in in this way, thank you 😌☺🙂
Thank you for sharing this part of your life.❤.
Bawling my eyes out!! Have to comment later! Wow! This touched SO many nerves… bless you Charlotte
Thank you for sharing. I think most of us don't know and understand how incredibly determined, brave and hard working athletes are. I admire that. And to me it's not about whether people "make it " to the top, it's everything they do on the journey. You can use all that determination, grit and perseverance and use it anywhere else in your life and in the world.
Oh Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing! I've been so dying to know your story! Cried along with you 😭 as a former athlete to a MUCH lesser degree (swimming and athletics, a sprinter in both, long distance be damned lol) this was especially interesting! Sending you so much love❤️❤️❤️
I'm so proud of you, Charlotte. You're brave, you chose a challenge and did whatever you could to conquer it. And you know what? It takes a lot of courage to admit when things aren't good for you anymore, and to know when to step away. I'm so proud of the lessons you took from these experiences, and I'm so happy you had a supportive coach and family. It fills my heart to know how you were loved, accepted and cared for.
I wish for you to enjoy the pool just for fun, without the past pulling you down ❤️
You did good, Charlotte. You deserve to enjoy it
Thank you for sharing! I still have Olympic dreams at 40...but am aware that I am lucky in that due to my sport (dressage). However the luck aspect with horses is extreme (since their life goal appears to be finding the most dramatic way to die possible)...on top of that the amount of money you need to acquire a horse of the quality for the Olympics is a whole other barrier. Being serious about sport is so much effort and so much heartbreak. Thank you for sharing.
I really resonated with your story. As a former swimmer (sprinter as well) I can really relate to ups and downs of higher level competition. I definitely remember the pain of deciding to quit the sport and being afraid to disappoint my parents. Like you, I rarely swim laps now. 😊
It was so interesting to hear your story Charlotte, and you were very brave for sharing what is obviously still a painful subject. If it helps at all, many people in different areas never quite achieve their dream. I had a similar situation playing the flute. After years of lessons, youth orchestras, auditions, scholarships etc etc the expectation was that I would eventually join a Symphony Orchestra. At the 11th hour, I decided I didn't want to be a struggling flute teacher while waiting for one of those (very rare) roles to become available, and had to have that same awful conversation with my parents who had supported me for all those years. Like you, I very rarely even pick up my flute and that's 20 years later. 🧡💛❤
Thank you, Charlotte, for speaking about it. It took a lot of courage for you to do so, so thank you! ❤ You are amazing! I met two Olympians, one a gold and bronze medalist (they don't speak about it at all). All I can say is that they are such humble and down-to-earth people! Also, it is so sad how some countries treat them when they retire (in some countries, their pensions are incredibly small)! Because of that, they now work in their other professions (luckily, they both went to college and are very successful). You are the first person I have ever heard speak of retired professional athletes.
Loved this video! Thank you so much for sharing ❤
This was so interesting to me, as someone who has never been into sport I learned a lot and was thoroughly entertained as usual with your storytelling! (I was also mesmerised the whole time by your eyeshadow look today!) Thanks for sharing, Charlotte 💜
59:32 this concept is so validating to hear for me in re to ballet. My body type, which no matter how much weight I lose or how hard I train in the gym, has and will always be a pear. My hips and thighs are proportionately much bigger than my upper body and waist. And this fact coupled with my average height of 5’6” and that I wasn’t naturally born with roomy hip sockets (no matter how many hours I spent trying to work on turn out) meant I simply would never be a professional ballerina no matter how many dozens of hours a week for years I spent in the studio. That realization hit me so hard my junior year of high school when I had to decide between pursuing university or auditioning for a company. It’s truly tantamount to losing your identity. BUT! It’s a happy ending because I joined my university’s swing competition team and fell in love with a fellow blues dancer 🩵💃🏻🕺🏽
Does anybody else know this feeling of scrolling through your feed when you should have turned out the light at least half an hour ago? And then finding videos that really excite you? But you feel like you're too tired to appreciate them? And decide to watch them the next day?
So looking forward to watching this right now 😊!
Hi Charlotte, I just want to thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. I recently had to quit my 'dream job' because it was becoming my worst nightmare and I experienced similar feelings to what you described. Sometimes it is just better to accept that 'dream' is doing more harm than good as you said.
You should be very proud of yourself for all your achievements and all the competitions you were able to assist during your time. It is truly an inspiring story, thanks for sharing!
I hope this video gets the views. It is so deserving of them. Enjoyable and informative. I never knew all the ins and outs of swimming at international level but i do now!. So important to be abke to swim and a definite life skill. Thank you so much for sharing and in an elequent, interesting way 😘
Charlotte I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video and how useful this is. I mentor students and help them with future pathways - some of which are aspiring Olympians or aspiring future athletes. As a part of my sessions I do speak about sport psychology/mentoring as a potential plan b. I would love to hear more about your work in how you have advised former athletes and what advice you would give to students who are thinking about this pathway in the future. I will certainly be signposting my students to this video. By the way your story was so moving I cried! Your story is so inspiring. What an amazing example of resilience and strength. Much more interesting than a straightforward tale. Your feeling of winning the bronze for the 200 sums it up. What an incredible incredible journey you have had and to have so much on your shoulders at 21 and under. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing this ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for recording this video, it was absolutely fascinating and engaging and educational from start to finish. Clearly it was difficult to share so much of this experience in this way, and I hope it does help you to heal. Also, your intelligence, passion, empathy, warmth and thoughtfulness just shine through throughout.
Loved this! It was so nice of you to share! And very brave! You're awesome and beautiful! ❤
Thank you for sharing your story with us Charlotte! I think we all got emotional right there with you! ❤ You are a great storyteller and it was so interesting and moving to hear about your journey with swimming.
Life is not fair. That’s a message my parents always made sure I understood. Sports are such a perfect example, as you put it.
As a former swimmer myself (though not at an international level!) I absolutely loved hearing your story and found it very relatable! ❤🏊🏻♀️ you should be so proud of everything you achieved - it’s not easy, especially when you’re training and competing so young. Loved that you went on to help other athletes with their transition- really inspirational ❤❤
Thank you for sharing your story. My dance career never took off, and so I lived vicariously through my twin daughters. They danced 5 days a week en pointe and jazz. They also were in the school band. The amount of money spent on replacing pointe shoes at least once a month each! Costumes, tuition, so much money and time. When they graduated, it was all over. It was a big hole missing. However, at 26, they both look back and are proud of what they learned about working towards a goal and putting in hard work. I was happy to hear their positive memories.
You are amazing, you keep going, growing and changing. Thank you for sharing your story and journey. No wonder Mel loved you. 💜💜💖
Your story is so interesting, your devotion is admirable and it was nice to hear about how swimming was a way to spend time with your dad.
It sounds like perhaps burnout from swimming later? I had similar with my work and had to take time off due to burnout. Taking a complete break definitely helps! I think doing a lot of anything can take its toll even if it’s something you love
Aaah I cried my eyes out!! I didn't know how much I needed it😂
Bless your coach for saying that to you❤ I hope in that moment all the weight was lifted from your shoulders. And how real "sport isn't fair" spot on.
I need a minute to recover... 😅❤❤❤ Cheers Nadia❤❤❤
Thanks Charlotte!!! It's really eye opening to hear some of these things from your perspective as an (ex) athlete.
Subsequent questions:
- Did you ever got in contact with your trainer Amanda after all of that?
- Did your family move back to Devon or (somewhere else) or did you all stay there at least?
If these questions are too personal forget about them!!! Just asked the moving question because we had to move for work and if I could, I would move back as soon as possible.
Again: Thanks❣️ 😘
You can be proud of yourself. 🎉 well, at least, we are proud of you ❤.
You are amazing! Thank for being vulnerable and sharing this with the public! I think the hardest lesson in life is to realize the expectation is the root of all heartache and look at what an incredible woman you have become!
Bless you, Charlotte. Hard to see you still so upset by your story. I hope the work you did subsequently, helping other athletes cope with what you went through helped give you an understanding of just how valuable you are.
❤ I love that your best experience was the time you spent with your dad. I lost mine at 13 and that priceless relationship and time you had together could make me cry… thank you for sharing!!
Bless you and your parents ❤ your story just reminded me how fortunate we are to have wonderful and supportive parents ❤ Thank you ❤
thank you so much for taking this on for us! dreams as those that serve as motivations don't have a binary classification into success and fail I think...I see it more of a motivation train that drives us onwards in life, but if the ride becomes to bumpy and unpleasant at some point and just doesn't feel like the best train to commute with...then it's time to transit:) but all those hours and tears have much more than a Olympic medal: strength, stamina, understanding of passion and a perspective on life which not many of us get
Well said!! People who work hard for their dreams gain a lot of great skills and experiences that will serve them for the rest of their life. People are bigger than their dreams.
@EXO exactly! love the way you phrased it
Thank you so much for your vulnerability and insight into what it’s like to be an athlete at that level. My husband and I both watched this and enjoyed it!
❤ thank you so much for opening yourself up and being vulnerable. It just adds to the amazing character that I already knew you had. You are very right that most of us regular folk don’t know what it’s like in the life of a high-performance athlete. Just regular school sports is demanding enough of a child, but to compete on that level is a whole other world. I’ve said it before Charlotte you are my virtual BFF I enjoy listening to you as I get ready. It’s like having my best gal right here with me. You make me laugh. You make me think I’m just very thankful for your videos and your input.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and moving story. It is a wonderful and beautiful thing to do, to allow fellow humans not to go through what you went through. It is selfless and generous.
thank you so much for your vulnerability and bravery sharing your story ❤
This was a fantastic video Charlotte. Thank you for your raw venerability and honest account. I found it moving, interesting and humbling. Incredible ❤
What an amazingly excellent video Charlotte😍😍Being an elite athlete in figure skating a lifetime ago…everything you said touched home, and was so so true💕💕
Thank you for this inspirational video! You are definitely successful at being a wonderful person. Your journey, I’m sure, contributed to being who you are now, the Charlotte we all love.❤
Wow, what a fascinating video Charlotte. Loved it. Thank you for sharing your experiences with such detail, honesty and openness. I was so moved by you. x
I’m sorry you had that life changing challenge at so young an age, you had to rebuild your life and you were very courageous to make that decision, you are a resilient, authentic young woman, well done love x
I found this fascinating Charlotte. Thank you so much for sharing and being so honest about the impact high level sport has. I swam at club and county level in the 70’s. I enjoyed the camaraderie of being with my swim team friends but know what you mean about the loneliness even though I didn’t train at anything like your level. You have done an amazing job in coming through the heartbreak, but I find it so sad and very alarming that the coaches and other professionals pushed you to that point without ever seeing the impact it was having on your mental and physical health. I think you’ve been very brave to expose this and share so openly. 🤗
I so admire you for sharing this impactful part of your life. Your are remarkable and a true inspiration ☀️
Thanks for sharing your amazing swim history. So fascinating. I think you are a wonderful daughter & your parents sound lovely. And your Nana 🤍 Do you & Amanda still keep in touch?
Thank you for sharing this was a great reminder that if something isn’t serving you anymore to let it go 💜.
Since your video about the Olympics I've been waiting to hear more about your journey, thank you so much for sharing it with us x
Charlotte, I absolutely love this video. It is so interesting and touching. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Thanks so much for sharing. I love the how special the bonds you built with your dad are to you. ✌️💕
I really enjoyed hearing your swimming-life story! What important life lessons you've experienced and shared! You, without a doubt, are a champion!! Thank you for sharing!! ❤
Hi Charlotte, thank you for sharing your history with swimming with us, i appreciate your honesty on this subject. Love Katherine xoxo
im really sorry that u had to go through all of this. im sure your parents would have done the same thing for you again. i see how much u love your children, and u know what u would do for them. if they didn't move for u, they would have always been upset with themselves. as a Mom we know that. we always put our children first and we can't do anything else
It took me some time to watch this. I think you are so brave to make this video. Explained it so well. (My question was answered in this video, that felt so special to me.) I was picked by my sport teacher when I was around 7 in school to go to a swimming club because she thought I was talented. I actually had no support from my parents to give it a try properly. They were not willing to invest time or money in this. So I never got into professional swimming. Years later when I was about 17 years old that teacher run into me by accident and she remembered me from when I was 7, and she told me she was so sad I never started swimming because she believed I could be really good. I never forget that actually. For the longest time had regrets about this, but now I am ok with that. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It is good to see that professional swimming is really hard even when you are talented. Your story about that brons medaille made me tear up. Thanks again for doing this video.
Thank you so much for sharing, Charlotte. This is such a touching and inspiring story on so many different levels. You would be a great motivational speaker. It was also so sweet to see the video with your child in the pool, thank you for sharing that. Side note, I asked the first question and I feel so honored to be included. I apologize for my IG handle, it’s my last name backwards with my first initial and no one can read it bc it’s not pronounceable. Next time I will add my name in the box to help out 😊
Oh Andrei… this really brought back the mems. Loved hearing your story as someone who knew you back then but didn’t “know” you very well ❤
What a story!!! Thanks a lot for sharing! It is enriching on sooo many levels!
You are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and being so relatable!!
Thanks for sharing this part of yourself. I was tearing up while doing my eye makeup 💖
Charlotte, my radiation treatments start this Friday and end on 12/24. Then one more CT Scan and blood work then Oncologist and Surgeon in January 2025. It been quite a journey and a long one at that. The upcoming holidays I will be resting and getting my husband off to work. Just wanted to keep you posted. I will think how vulnerable you were to share with us your journey with swimming. I will fight to be cancer free.💗💖
Wishing you all the best for your treatment!
@CharlotteHoldcroft Thank you very much. I really don't have a support system only my husband and a neighbor.💗
Wow just wanna add that ur such an ambitious girl I bet your kids and ur family are proud of u❤😊
Don’t know why this didn’t show up in my feed, I was watching another video and it was showing on the right side of my ipad, whaaat, I immediately clicked on it.🙀 thank you so much for sharing your life/story with us, I had no idea, I shed tears with you, wish I could have given you a hug.❤❤❤
Congrats on making it to 80K 🎉🎉🎉💖💖💖. I’ve been hoping for a long time that you’d do this video as it’s something that only a minuscule percentage of people can even realistically have the Olympics as THEIR dream.
Thank you very much for sharing your story. I have always had such respect for you (I've been watching you since you had under 10k followers).
Wow! & Wow ! … your story is so inspirational… I was on the treadmill whilst watching & listening to you, but had to stop a number of times due to the “ tears” popping from my eyes … you are an amazing “ Charlotte “ .. & I have so much respect for you ..❤
I can’t say I can even begin to understand except for the fact that my nursing career ended abruptly. Not the same I know, but I know the tears and pain of feeling that you’ve let yourself and your family down. But God gave both of us a different life and new loves.
Be proud of your self for your accomplishments. I admire and respect you even more. You’re still a Winner!❤
Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing! Your story reminds me a lot of my own, I was a ballet dancer and trained at one of the most prestigious, elite ballet schools in the world. I was lucky enough to dance with some high profile companies but transitioning into another career was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. Ballet was everything...it was in my body, it was in my thoughts and it was in my soul. It was super interesting to hear about your successes and struggles.
Now on a professional note: there's a fantastic sort of pension plan for dancers in The Netherlands (where I live), and it's quite unique in the world. It helps dancers both mentally, practically and financially (!) to change careers. Like in sports, life onstage for a dancer is short. If this is of interest to you from a professional perspective, please reach out.
All the best to you and thank you again for this interesting and inspiring post!
Great story. I think you are so right emphasizing how rare it is to be truly successful in sport. Quite an achievement you got as far as you did. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always been an athlete, not near your level. This is so important and relatable in so many ways. My first boyfriend was toxic, and I was so young it never occurred to me leaving him was a choice I could make until someone flat out told me I could. Not unlike your coach saying ‘you don’t have to do this.’ Thank you for telling your story.
Oh my goodness what an emotional video Charlotte. It was amazing hearing your story and I remember watching you many years ago and I am sure it was not easy recounting your story. Thank you so much for relating everything to your followers on RUclips. We are all privileged to know you and have you as a RUclips presenter. Thank you for sharing your story with us. ❤❤
Thank you for sharing this part of your life. It's not always easy to talk about things in our past. I really appreciated your message of it being okay to let go of things. Thank you again ❤
This was such an amazing and vulnerable video you put together Charlotte! Thank you so much for doing this. As a non-sporty person I find this world so interesting and I really appreciate you sharing your personal story. You are such a strong person in every way!!!!
You're story is just like mine but substitute horses . I'm lonely now because all my show riding and breeding friends live all over the place. I made it to tieing for reserve national championship
My horse won in professional with my trainer Canada and US. God I miss it so much but I'm too old and too injured to compete.
Thank you for sharing your story. You're still a champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❤
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I find you very inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your personal story Charlotte! Elite Sport is absolutely brutal, and people do not realise the sacrifices the athletes have to make and their families, the mental strength it takes. You are such an amazing person and inspiration, thank you ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your good times and heartbreak related to swimming. It is cathartic, and your story will help others. Bless you!!
This was very powerful. Thank you for sharing your story. 💛
Thank you for sharing your story. It was obviously difficult and so interesting and still makes you sad. Going through this has obviously made you able to empathise with others. Your family must be so proud of you too
How interesting thank you for sharing ! I love the bit about your relationship with your dad💕 thank you so much for sharing such an emotional time of your life
Thank you for sharing your story. And for being raw and real.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are amazing for letting us in on your personal life. We appreciate you so much for all of your work. Much love and many blessings ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I was a swimmer as well. I do have friends who were medalists and achieved the “dream”. My international experience was in University competition. I had a family member who made the Canadian Olympic team at 12. It turned out badly. It’s a strange space. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for telling your story Charlotte! I love the footage for you holding your baby in the pool considering how much you hated everything pool related after your retirement. It had me shedding a few tears to tell you the truth❤
I teared up at the bits about your dad and your retirement. Thank you for sharing your story!
I'm a fairly new subscriber and I didn't know about your background but I was super into sport. I was never going to get to any kind of competitive level but i still got competitive 😅 but that's also a blessing that I wouldn't have gone into training and only doing sport and seeing that heartbreak. I think there's nothing quite like sports because there are some physical facts you can't overcome like a height, limb span etc and to have to spend that much time training.
And that's not including the mental challenge.
So thank you for sharing your story. Chronic fatigue syndrome sounds awful and getting to that painful place with an activity that you started off loving it.
Ty for sharing. I love the Olympics and back stories are so inspirational and help people deal with their own peaks and valleys in life! ❤❤❤❤
Oh Charlotte, big hugs!!! So glad you’ve found a fulfilling career now. I was a swimmer in high school and at the beginning of university. My high school didn’t take sport very seriously so when I went to university at a NCAA school I was expected to swim about 3 times as much. I was so exhausted. I wound up quitting 3/4 of the way through my first year. The coach was as trying to convince me to finish the year and I just couldn’t do it.
This was very touching. Although not in sports, I can relate in my own field. ❤
Charlotte I simply love you❣️I love the person you are!
Charlotte, you are an inspiration