Epilepsy and Sport

I've been cycling for many years now, and I've been successful in conventional terms – I've won awards, championships and even two Olympic medals. But one of my greatest successes is that I've done it all with epilepsy and overcome many additional obstacles – physical, mental and, you might be surprised, social obstacles.

It's part of the misconception out there about epilepsy – that somehow you are disabled. I often don't feel like it's worth explaining that I have epilepsy before a race. But, if I get to go up on the podium, for a first, second or third place win, I often take the time to capitalize on that opportunity. I say "I have epilepsy. If there's anyone here who has epilepsy, know that you too can overcome obstacles and succeed." That isn't just for people who compete in sports – it's for anyone who wants to challenge themselves to get fit as well.

No matter what your condition, my theory is to "just do it." It's undoubtedly more comfortable to sit and do nothing. I believe that to be successful, even just with starting a fitness routine, you must be self-motivated. Getting motivated can be an internal fight. Depending on what you want to achieve, I advise the same thing – "It's not about how you can't – it's about how you can!" Exercise makes people feel better, gets their blood flowing and increases confidence. It's a great way to keep your spirits up.

My advice to anyone wanting to start pursuing sports is that you check with your doctor before taking up a new sports activity and to obtain his/her medical advice regarding any potential safety risks. Once you have the OK, to start small and make sure you match where you are with the right level of activity. If you have epilepsy, then my additional advice would be to make sure you get enough sleep and work with your doctor for the right medication so that you can have more sense of what to expect in terms of seizure control.

It's important to have goals to work towards, and to know when to push yourself and when to rest. This is something you learn over time. You might choose something like walking a mile, then walking two miles as your goal. It's all individual – so find something that will get you out the door and moving.

Set realistic goals and once you've achieved this feel good about what you've done, rather than push yourself to win or set your goal too high. Make sure you mix it up to keep things interesting. I find that outdoor sports are good fun. Find something that works for you, to get your blood pumping and make you feel like you are moving forward. It's different for everyone, but it's always rewarding to achieve the goals you set for yourself!