Mallory Weggemann, a four-time Paralympian and seven-time Paralympic medalist, delivered an inspiring keynote speech on the final day of Gartner’s IT Symposium 2024.
As a world-class athlete and advocate for the disability community, her journey highlights not only triumphs in sports but also profound lessons in resilience, leadership, and personal growth.
The Life-Changing Moment
Mallory’s story begins with a single moment that changed her life forever. At just 18, a routine medical procedure for back pain left her paralyzed from the waist down.
She remembers the details of that day clearly—how it felt so normal until it wasn’t. “I walked into a room that I was supposed to walk out of a few hours later and go home, go back to class Tuesday morning and instead I was transferred across the street to the hospital,” she recalled.
Six weeks in the hospital followed, where she had to come to terms with spinal cord injury and everything that came with it.
Rather than letting this moment define her, Mallory made one critical decision: the choice to get up each day and keep moving. “It seems so insignificant until it is literally the only choice you have to make,” she shared.
That simple act of getting out of bed—of moving forward one tiny step at a time—became her daily mantra.
Rethinking “Normal”
A central theme in Weggemann’s talk was the idea of “normal”—and how we all have to let go of it sometimes.
Mallory challenged the audience to reframe their thinking. In her own life, what used to be normal—walking, swimming with ease, and going about her days—was replaced by a new reality. She didn’t waste time wishing for things to go back. Instead, she focused on how to move forward, taking with her the lessons of her past.
As the world shifts and evolves, holding onto the past doesn’t serve us.
It’s about adapting and creating a new normal, one that reflects where we are now and where we want to go.
Small Wins, Big Changes
Weggemann’s path back to the swimming pool was anything but straightforward.
At first, just the thought of swimming again seemed daunting. She hadn’t seen anyone else with a disability for months, and the idea of getting back in the water—something that had defined her life before—felt impossible.
But with a nudge from her sister, Mallory found herself back at the pool.
Despite her thoughts of, “I can’t even walk. What makes me think I can swim?’”, she did it anyway. And she kept coming back. Each day she swam a little more, pushed a little harder, and reclaimed something that had once seemed lost.
Her approach, which she called the “small victories” mindset, is a powerful leadership lesson. It’s about focusing on what you can do today, instead of being overwhelmed by the big picture.
This mindset doesn’t just apply to athletes—it’s universal.
Whether you’re leading a team or tackling personal goals, breaking things down into small, manageable steps can make the seemingly impossible possible.
Bouncing Back After Setbacks
Of course, no journey is without its setbacks, and Weggemann faced more than her share. Just as she was preparing for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, she suffered permanent nerve damage to her left arm. It was a devastating blow, especially after she had worked so hard to rebuild her strength.
She struggled with the thought of whether or not she could keep going, but with the help of her coach and her now-husband, she found a way to adapt and keep moving forward, even if it meant adjusting her expectations. “I had to ask myself, ‘Do I love swimming because I love winning, or do I love it for something deeper?’”
This realization became a guiding force for her as she prepared for Rio.
Although she didn’t come home with a medal from those games, she learned something even more valuable: success isn’t just about the result. It’s about showing up every day and giving your best, regardless of the outcome.
Knowing Your “Why”
Throughout her speech, Weggemann emphasized the importance of understanding your “why”—the deeper purpose that drives you forward.
For her, the journey is about so much more than just winning medals.
It’s about making a difference, whether by advocating for the disability community, competing as a mother, or simply showing up as her authentic self.
The Wrap
Mallory’s closing message was simple, yet profound: Show up as your whole self. Too often, we compartmentalize the different roles we play in life. But as Weggemann pointed out, it’s our full selves—our experiences, our struggles, our successes—that make us who we are.
For leaders, this means embracing all aspects of who you are, and recognizing that your experiences, both good and bad, shape the way you lead.
It’s not about hiding parts of yourself—it’s about showing up fully and authentically.
Weggemann ended her talk with words of wisdom passed down from her father, words that she now fully understands:
“You are the best. You can make a difference. And you can change the world.”
Her message to the audience was clear: know your “why,” embrace your journey, and never underestimate the power of simply showing up, day after day.
That’s how we make a difference—and that’s how we lead.