Power Kicks
What does it take to turn self-doubt into a gold-medal strike? She battled her inner critic, then unleashed a flurry of Taekwondo kicks that silenced all doubt. We catch up with Paralympic champion Amy Truesdale to find out how she’s developed her unshakable mindset.
By Ellë Bolland
Photography By Heiko Prigge
Last summer, Amy Truesdale stole the show at the Grand Palais, winning gold at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Behind every roundhouse, hook, and crescent kick was a powerful story of turning self-doubt into unstoppable strength, both physical and mental.
Amy had never performed in front of a crowd in a Paralympic final before because of Covid restrictions at Tokyo 2020. Adding to the pressure was the fact she saw her Tokyo performance as the worst of her life, despite winning bronze. Walking into the spectacular glass dome, her biggest opponent was not on the mat. It was herself. I am keen to learn how she transformed her mindset into a winner’s mentality.
It is a surprisingly bright, crisp morning in January, with the sun casting shadows against the leafy trees surrounding the studio. I greet Amy as she pulls up, having travelled from Manchester to London. Despite the six o’clock start, she radiates warmth and energy. Her softly spoken accent brings a quiet sense of calm as she introduces herself.
Inside, we settle onto the sofa and quickly bond over our shared love for Mel Robbins. Sweaty Betty brought us together for the shoot of their Power campaign. We chat about Mel’s recent post, “Five Non-Negotiables to Begin Your Day,” which includes small rituals like resisting the snooze button and giving yourself a high five in the mirror. “Sometimes it is too easy to get wrapped up in how you are feeling,” Amy says, nodding in agreement.
As the morning unfolds, she steps into the studio, effortlessly switching into professional mode. While recording her voiceover, she laughs. “I have got precision kicks and lightning-fast reflexes, but real talk, give me a map and my sense of direction is not quite as sharp as my moves!” She turns away from the mic, grinning. “It is true, uno! Thank goodness you booked us a car. I would still be walking, looking for the studio!” The room erupts in laughter. It is the perfect glimpse into her character. Fiercely dedicated, yet never one to take herself too seriously.
Then, the shift happens. The lights go on. The photographer steps into position. Playfulness gives way to razor-sharp focus. The second she steps onto the mat, everything is precision and power. She launches into a flawless tornado kick, followed by a spinning hook kick. Her movements are sharp, controlled, almost effortless. Each strike is a masterclass in precision, a testament to the years of discipline that have made her one of the best in the world. Dressed in Sweaty Betty’s Power collection, she moves with ease, flying across the studio as if gravity itself is an afterthought. Watching her in motion is something else entirely. This is what world-class looks like.
For Amy, commitment trumps motivation every time. “If you let feelings get in your head, you are done,” she says, shaking her head. “You have to run with commitment, not motivation. If you are waiting for motivation, it is never going to happen.” That leads naturally into my questions about how she transformed her mindset to reach the top of her sport.
commitment
Amy has always felt empowered by sport, especially Taekwondo. “From a young age, I felt empowered,” she shares. “Even though I had a disability and was female, which are often seen as two pretty big obstacles, Taekwondo allowed me to do the same things as everyone else.” For her, Taekwondo was never just a sport. It was a way to prove that limitations, whether physical or gender-related, did not define her. That sense of empowerment sparked her passion for the sport. “My parents thought it would be a good life skill for me to learn, plus it was a way for me to stay fit and learn self-defence,” Amy says. But from her very first class, she knew Taekwondo was different. “I was doing ballet, tap, and swimming at the time, but when it came to picking one, Taekwondo was a non-negotiable. It just clicked for me.”
Now a full-time athlete, Amy’s life is all about training, focus, and self-discipline. “A typical week for me is twice a day, Monday to Friday,” she tells me. “In the mornings, I will spend two hours on kicking, which could be working on tactical scenarios in a match or a sparring situation. In the afternoons, it is strength and conditioning, either weights or cycling.”
It is not all about the physical side of training, though. Amy is deeply committed to her mental preparation. “I am still working on my mental resilience ahead of LA 2028,” she shares, adding that she is currently on the World Class Programme as part of her preparation for the Games. “I use my free time to get a sports massage or check in with a psychologist.”
When it comes to preparing for a milestone like the Paralympics, Amy explains that while her coach handles the physical aspects, the mental side ultimately falls on her. “Mental training has to come from within. For the times when you are not training with a coach or training partner, you need to be self-sufficient in practising those habits you have discussed with someone,” she says. “You can be given all the resources and advice, but if you are not putting in the work daily, nothing is going to change. It is like going to a physio once a month and not doing the rehab. You are not going to see improvement!”
One of the key takeaways from my conversation with Amy is her belief in the importance of owning your power and your individuality. “For me, it means embracing who you are, embracing your strength, and being true to your journey,” she explains. “It is about finding your superpower. For me, it is my determination and my technical kicks. What works for someone else might not work for you, so it is really about embracing that individuality. Everyone’s journey is different.”
This mindset has not always been natural for Amy. She reflects on how comparison can be a trap, especially for women. “In the past, I have found myself focusing more on other people rather than myself,” she admits. “I have learned to focus on what I can control, like my mindset and my training. It is about not letting self-doubt take over.”
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games served as a wake-up call for Amy to work on her mindset. “I was physically the fittest I had ever been. I was ranked number one in the world, but on the day, I was not in the right mindset,” she shares. “Overcoming self-doubt is something I have really had to work through.”
That experience became a turning point, and she used those lessons to fuel her success in Paris. “The preparation for Paris was all about focusing on what I could control. My attitude, my commitment to training, and my mental approach,” she tells me. “Instead of focusing on the outcome, I focused on my process. And that is what led me to gold.”
We bond over another thing, practising mindfulness and gratitude. Amy tells me that this is a tool she has used to shape a mindset that pushes her forward. She shares how she structures her day with small, achievable goals, like starting with a smile or focusing on one key aspect of her training. At the end of the day, she notes three nice moments to remind herself of the small things, even when the day has felt tough. “Sometimes we say, ‘Ugh, I have had a rubbish day,’ when in reality, we might have had a rubbish 20 minutes!” she laughs. “Without the self-awareness to recognise the things that have gone right, that is when you can spiral.”
overcoming
Looking ahead, Amy is focused on LA 2028 and continuing to build on her mental and physical strength. “It is about being in the moment,” she says. “You can have all the tools and resources in the world, but it is up to you to put in the work. That is how you create real change.”
Amy’s story is a reminder that the path to greatness is not just about talent or technique but about embracing your journey, trusting in yourself, and, most of all, owning your power. Whether you are on the mat facing an opponent or navigating life’s challenges, it is that confidence to keep moving forward that truly makes the difference.
Be sure to keep up with Amy on IG here.
Want to own your power?! Read Vwairé’s Glorious story here and find out more about Sweaty Betty’s multi-workout Power collection here.
Amy wears:
Outfit 1: (Title image) Power Gym Leggings, Purple Lily Pad, Power Medium Support, Sports Bra, Purple Lilypad Print, Pro Run Half Zip, Allium Pink
Outfit 2: Power Gym Leggings, Midnight Cherry Purple, Athlete Crop Seamless Gym T-Shirt, Midnight Cherry Purple, Stamina Seamless Sports Bra, Midnight Cherry Purple, Mid Length Ankle Gripper Socks
A Glorious Sport Production:
Creative & Art Direction: This Is Root
Photography: Heiko Prigge
Director of Photography: Robin Weaser
Photography Assistants: Joe Horton, Callum O’Keefe
Hair & Make-Up: Alev Miller
Hair & Make-Up Assistant: Rae Anglim
Wardrobe: Nicole Daly
Runners: Rose Arthur, Eleri Shone
With thanks to Mount Pleasant Studios
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