"Take a Break." The one thing a Paralympian wished he could tell his sick self.
Hey friend,
Photo courtesy of Gene and Traci Wilkerson.
This week’s interview hit me hard, and I think it will for you too, especially if you or your child ever feel like the only way out of a problem is to work harder.
I recently sat down with Evan Wilkerson, a blind college freshman who swims for the Men's USA Paralympic team and just won a World Championship Bronze medal. His story is one of incredible success, but what really stopped me was the lesson he learned through sheer exhaustion.
The Problem With Pushing Through
Evan spent eight years working toward his first Paralympic competition in Paris. But the moment he landed, he got hit with a severe case of E. Coli. He missed two full days of training and stepped up to the blocks running on empty.
He competed, he survived, and he showed incredible grit. But what did he do when he got home? He didn't rest.
He told me: "Typically when I have a problem like that, my solution is just to outwork the problem... I jumped right back into full swing training."
He pushed for eight more months until he hit a wall. He crashed and burned so hard at Nationals that he went into the meet thinking: "I can't wait for this meet to be over."
That feeling—that total burnout—is something every high-achieving student with ADHD, Dyslexia, or Anxiety understands. We see it all the time when our kids outwork their disability until they simply can't anymore.
The High-Value Insight: The Break That Saved His Career
When I asked him what he would tell his sick self in Paris, his answer was simple, direct, and non-negotiable:
"Take a break. Take a break after you're done, it's gonna set you up for more than likely a better year. You're gonna be happier."
That is the high-value insight. That month-long break he took for guide dog training wasn't wasted; it saved his career and set him up for the Bronze medal win at Worlds. For parents, the lesson is clear: Sometimes the best advocacy isn't pushing for more homework or more tutoring—it’s protecting the break your child desperately needs.
🎙️ New Podcast Episode:
Episode #141: The Hardest Lesson: Why a Break Saved a Paralympic Career (w/ Evan Wilkerson)
In this first part of our conversation, Evan shares the emotional and physical toll of his experience and how he learned the crucial difference between simple determination and total burnout.
His lowest point: The moment he realized he was done with swimming before a major competition.
The one-sentence mantra that kept him from getting kicked off the podium (even while exhausted).
How that short August break set him up for World Championship success.
Evan's journey holds major lessons for independence and advocacy:
Episode #142 (Nov 14): Evan talks about getting his first guide dog and the critical tips every person needs to know about interacting with a working dog. If you’re a dog owner, pay attention to this one!
Episode #143 (Nov 21): Evan shares his surprising and practical experience moving away to college for the first time, including the specific accommodations he uses and the ones he skips. (Plus: A special Etsy Shop Discount!)
Ready to Trade "Outwork" for "Outsmart"?
You don't have to push your child to burnout just to prove their worth. A strategic pause is sometimes the most powerful move you can make.
If you're ready to learn how to advocate for necessary breaks and smarter accommodations, I'm here to help you build your custom game plan.
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