Adam - Whitehead
SWIMMING
What was your sport and how did you get into it?
My sport was swimming. I remember watching the Olympics when I was 8 and being totally inspired. I asked my parents to join the local swimming club, called Bedworth Otters, and that’s where it all started for me. I think my parents were pleased, as I was hyperactive as a child and it was a great way of burning off some energy!
Tell us about the highlights of your sporting career?
I swam for Great Britain for over 10 years and went to all the major championships (European, Commonwealth Games, World and Olympic Games), winning seven international medals. The two career highlights would be winning the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Looking back, it’s a pretty amazing achievement for a child who was always told I wasn’t big enough or good enough to be a world-class athlete.
What were some of the challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them?
In my school life, I found being dyslexic pretty tough and learning was definitely something I struggled with. Luckily I had good teachers and family who supported me and was able to progress through school, college and university. During my swimming career I received a diagnosis of depression and this is something I still manage to this day. I often had difficult periods, when my mental health wasn’t great, and trying to perform at the highest level was almost impossible.
What have been your highlights while working at the Trust?
I’ve been involved with the Trust since 2008 and there are too many to mention. I love being able to support others, help them understand themselves better and seeing them succeed.
What do you do now alongside working for the Trust?
I am a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and deliver mental health training to people who want to be able to support others in this way. I also have my own business called ‘the NOW Project’ which delivers training and workshops to schools and businesses.
What life advice would you give a young person?
It would be easy to say some inspirational quote here, but to honest I think the best advice I have is surround yourself with positive people, do as many of the things you enjoy most and don’t waste time. Life is too short.
What experience do you have of working with corporate organisations?
I’ve had the opportunity to deliver training and development in a number of business, small and large, using the lessons from sport to improve performance in the workplace.
What does Being Me mean to you?
For me, ‘Being me’ means being authentic and happy with who you are. During my career, I often found this difficult as I attached how I felt about myself (self-esteem) to the results I got in in the pool. This meant that when things didn’t go well - which happened a lot! - I wouldn’t feel happy with who I was. I have a much healthier outlook now and know I am a good person, and even when things don’t go to plan, I can cope much better.
Competitive
Record
2002
Commonwealth Games
Gold 100m breaststroke (a new Commonwealth Games record)
Silver 50m breaststroke
Silver Medley relay
Voted Swimming Times Male Swimmer of the Year, 2002
2001
World Student Games
Bronze 50m breaststroke
2000
World Championships
4th 200m breaststroke
Olympic Games qualifier
21st 100 breaststroke
23rd 200 breaststroke
1999
European Short Course
Bronze 200m breaststroke
1998
European Short Course
Commonwealth Games
Bronze 200m breaststroke.
European Short Course
Gold 200m breaststroke
1997-8
European Junior
Two Silver 200m breaststroke
Two bronze 100m and the 4 x 100 medley relay
Highest World Ranking, number 1 in 1998 (200m Breaststroke, S.C)
16 Open British Championships
