Dreams + Goals + Hard Work = Success

It’s amazing how dreams can become goals and goals can become reality if you put the hard work in and believe in yourself!

1968 – 7 years old - I watched my first Olympics

1970 – 9 years old – My dream was to represent Canada at the Olympics in gymnastics.

1976 – 15 years old – My goal was to represent Canada at the Moscow Olympics as a swimmer

1980 – 18 years old – My goal is crushed by the boycott of the games by the western world

1998 – 36 years old – Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and told I would never do this ‘silly sport stuff’ again!

2005 – 44 years old – Competed as a Para swimmer at the World Masters Games – 6 gold, 1 silver medals

2008 – 47 years old – My goal was to represent Australia at the Beijing Paralympics in Para Rowing – our crew missed out on a spot by 0.8 seconds.

2012 – 51 years old – Attain my goal and represented Australia at the London Paralympics in Para Cycling – 1 gold medal

2013 – 52 years old – Became a World Champion in Para Cycling

2016 – 55 years old – My goal was attained once again and represented Australia at the Rio Paralympics in Para Cycling – 2 gold medals

2021 – 60 years old – I’m still shaking my head about to head to Tokyo to represent Australia at the Paralympic games in Para Cycling – My Goal? – to do the best that I can and bring back another gold medal!

‘Never give up your dreams, turn them in goals, put in all the hard work, believe in yourself and you can accomplish ANYTHING!’ ~ Carol Cooke AM

Photo by: Arnaud Domange

Carol Cooke AM – Finding Your Inner Gold