The Journey of Olympic Gold Medallist Georgina Brayshaw on "Let’s Talk People Development with Luke & Danny"
Some stories redefine what’s possible. Georgina Brayshaw’s rise to Olympic gold is one of them. In the latest three-part series of Let’s Talk People Development with Luke & Danny, she shares the ups and downs of her journey.
The team met with Georgina at the Leander Club in Henley-on-Thames to record the series, an iconic place in rowing history. Being in that environment added a special energy to the conversation, making for an insightful and engaging discussion about resilience, hard work, and what it really takes to reach the top.
Across three episodes titled "I Can," "I Will," and "Watch Me," Luke and Danny dive into Georgina’s life—from overcoming setbacks to winning an Olympic gold medal.
Part One: "I Can" – The Road to Rowing
The series kicks off with Georgina’s backstory. At 15, a serious horse-riding accident left her in a coma for nine days and paralysed on her left side. Doctors weren’t sure she’d fully recover, but she refused to accept that as her reality.
She put in the work, regained mobility, and eventually took up rowing at university. Her first attempt at joining the GB Start programme didn’t go as planned, but she kept pushing and eventually found her way into elite competition.
This episode is all about persistence—how she kept going despite early setbacks and how she built the mindset that carried her forward.
“The initial prognosis was that I’d never walk again, never feed myself again. But someone told me I’d never win the Olympics either and I don’t like taking “no” for an answer!”
Part Two: "I Will" – Winning Olympic Gold
In the second episode, Luke and Danny talk with Georgina about the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won gold. She shares what it was like to cross the finish line, the physical and mental battles leading up to that moment, and what it really takes to compete at that level.
Beyond the training and competition, she talks about the sacrifices involved and the mental resilience needed to perform under pressure. This episode gives a real look into the highs and lows of elite sport and what it takes to stay at the top.
“I wasn’t nervous because what would be would be and it’s the same race I’ve done a million times so what’s to be nervous about? It’s the same water everywhere.”
Part Three: "Watch Me" – What’s Next?
In the final episode, Georgina looks beyond Paris 2024 and shares her goals for the future, including competing at the LA 2028 Olympics. But her ambitions go beyond rowing—she also talks about her hopes of competing as a mother one day and inspiring others to pursue their own goals, no matter the obstacles.
"Watch Me" is about what comes after success. How do you stay motivated? What drives someone to keep pushing even after achieving their biggest dream? Georgina’s take on these questions makes for an insightful discussion.
“The Olympics is so cool, I’d just got my Gold Medal and thought “I’ve got to do this again!”. That feeling of pride and having your family watch you - if I could bottle that and live it a million times over I would - let’s hope I can in LA!”
Georgina Brayshaw’s story isn’t just about sport—it’s about pushing through challenges and not letting setbacks hold you back. Let’s Talk People Development with Luke & Danny does a great job of capturing her experiences in a way that’s both relatable and engaging.
Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, athlete or just someone looking for motivation to keep going, this series is well worth a listen. So, check it out and hear Georgina’s story firsthand.