Ellie Simmonds has revealed that she has struggled with “a lot of self-doubt” and “not feeling good enough” in the past year, as she paves a new career in TV. The former swimmer, one of Britain’s most celebrated Paralympians , with a total of eight Paralympic medals – including two golds when she was just 13 in Beijing – retired in 2021 after the Tokyo Games. The 29-year-old, who was part of the presenting team for Paris 2024 for Eurosport and will be covering the Paralympics for Channel 4, from August 28, says the past year has been tough.
“[I’m] finding my identity in a way, finding that confidence, and I definitely have a lot of self-doubt at the moment. Just doubting my abilities and doubting I can do things.” Simmonds, who was born was with achondroplasia, a genetic form of dwarfism, says: “Some days I feel like I can do everything and I’m alright, but then you have some days where you feel like you can’t do it, you’re not capable and you’re not good enough.
“Because you see people and you compare yourself to other people. “I’m a very much an over-thinker as well. Sometimes I do say silly things or wrong things, and I’m like, oh gosh, Ellie, why did you do that? “As an athlete and a swimmer, you know what you’re good at, and you do it every single day.
You have a four-year plan, you have a year plan...
and then all of a sudden that goes out the window.” “Now I’m trying to figure out, what do I enjoy? What am I good at?” B.