On episode No.36 of The unTITLED Podcast, an interview with Paralympian Dana Mathewson. Dana is the 9th ranked Paralympic Tennis Player in the world and will compete in Tokyo this Summer. Along with being one of the best in the world in her sport, off the court she is pursuing a Doctorate in Audiology. Dana received a rare diagnosis at age ten that confined her to a wheelchair. On today's episode, she shares that story, along with the many other things that make her tick, including, the classroom, the game of tennis and competition.
We begin our conversation with Dana sharing the effects of the pandemic on her training in preparation for The Paralympic Games in Tokyo, how the time has been a productive one of discovery and recharge (3:56); and that she is overall feeling positive that the games will take place as planned (8:32); We then head back in time as Dana reflects on the confidence she had as a kid and when athletics really entered the picture for her (12:45); before sharing the story of her diagnosis at age ten and how her Mom showed her that she was and could be brave (18:22); I then ask Dana to walk us through the first time she competed in wheelchair tennis, and why after playing team sports as a girl she gravitated and ultimately chose an individual sport like tennis. She also shares the athletes she looked up to growing up (29:42); Dana then discusses the mentors she has had within the game, and breaks down the major tournaments in Wheelchair Tennis (43:51); To close out our conversation, Dana discusses what the classroom brings out in her that the tennis court does not, offers some invaluable advice for young women and defines "Womanhood in 3 Words" (51:30); To end the podcast, the 36th edition of "Player Voicemail" (1:04:05).
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