Lessons of resilience from the pool - Q&A with Matthew Levy OAM

“A frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean.” — Book of Zhuang Zi

Our experience often makes us cling to what we know without considering that there is an amazing world out there. This simple observation by a Taoist philosopher, Zhuang Zi (369 – 286 BC) has lost none of its relevance over the centuries and, indeed, it resonates now even more in the current socio-political environment.

The erosion of various measures aiming to promote participation of the 'marginalised people' in the society is gaining momentum in the United States and elsewhere, and this calls for reflection on this issue in Australia as well. We can succumb to this trend, but we don’t have to. The governments have a significant role to play in shaping our attitudes through a variety of instruments, such as targeted funding and educational efforts, but one of the truly influential mechanisms comes from sport.

Sports have long served as a powerful platform for promoting inclusiveness and supporting charitable causes. Events like the Special Olympics World Games exemplify this by uniting athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the globe, showcasing their abilities and fostering a sense of community. Similarly, Summer and Winter Paralympic Games have become an important event that showcases the achievements of exceptional athletes with disabilities.

Recently I’ve had an opportunity to connect with one of the finest paralympians, Matthew Levy OAM, who has represented Australia in swimming tournaments that include Paralympic Games (Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021) winning three gold, one silver and six bronze medals. He also successfully competed in IPC Swimming World Championships and Commonwealth Games until his retirement from competitive sport in 2022. Currently he works at Deloitte, serves on the board of directors of the New South Wales disability organisation Ability Options, and is an inclusion advocate. He shared with me some thoughts about his life and what has been driving him in and out of water.

Miroslav Kapuscinski: You were born 15 weeks premature and faced significant health challenges early on. How did these circumstances shape your approach to sport and life? 

Matthew Levy OAM:  Being born prematurely meant I had to fight from day one, both physically and mentally. The health challenges I faced multiple surgeries, cerebral palsy, and vision impairment—instilled resilience in me from a young age. Sport became a way to push boundaries, test limits, and prove that I was more than my circumstances. The discipline and mindset I developed in sport also shaped how I approach life—focusing on what I can control, setting goals, and staying persistent.

MK: Many parents try to extract the most from their offspring, regardless of the specific situation. The path you ended on required a lot of hard work and unwavering commitment. Can you tell me a little bit about the role of your family involvement in the process?

ML:  My family played a crucial role in my journey. They supported me unconditionally, encouraged my independence, and never treated me differently because of my disability. My parents set high expectations but also provided the right support to help me achieve them. They instilled the belief that hard work trumps limitations and that setbacks are part of the journey, not the end of it.

MK: It's easy to stay motivated when things are going well, such as when one keeps winning big in sport, but what has kept you moving through the lows and setbacks of your journey? 

ML: Motivation isn’t just about winning—it’s about growth, learning, and pushing past obstacles. I’ve had setbacks, injuries, and moments of doubt, but I stayed focused by reminding myself of my purpose. Setting small, achievable goals helped me stay on track, and having a strong support system of coaches, mentors, and peers kept me accountable. I also looked beyond the pool—understanding that sport was part of a bigger journey helped me keep perspective during tough times.

MK: Many athletes struggle with life after professional sport. How did you manage the transition from elite swimming to your current roles? 

ML:  The transition was challenging but something I had prepared for. While I was competing, I pursued education, built networks, and explored interests outside of sport. Moving into corporate roles, board positions, and advocacy allowed me to apply the skills I developed as an athlete—resilience, leadership, teamwork, and goal setting. The key was finding purpose beyond sport while still leveraging what I had learned from it.

MK: You’ve pursued higher education, you’ve written books, and you work in corporate and advocacy roles. How do these different aspects of your life connect to your identity as an athlete? 

ML:  All these aspects—education, writing, and corporate leadership—are extensions of what I valued as an athlete. I always strive to push limits, share knowledge, and contribute meaningfully. Writing books lets me share insights on leadership and resilience, my corporate work allows me to drive change, and advocacy gives me a platform to champion diversity and inclusion. At the core of it all is a passion for growth, performance, and making an impact.

MK: A top athlete with cerebral palsy and a vision impairment attracted both interest and admiration, but for many young people there are significant obstacles borne out of their impairments. Obstacles that frequently arise out of lack of understanding, prejudice and, quite frankly, discrimination. What do you think needs to change in our society’s perception of disability particularly as related to sport? 

ML:  The biggest shift needed is moving from a ‘disability as limitation’ mindset to one of capability and opportunity. People with disabilities should be seen as athletes first - capable of competing and excelling, given the right support and structures. Greater visibility of para-athletes, inclusive policies, and better accessibility in grassroots sport are essential. Schools and clubs need to be more proactive in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusive environments.

MK: You’re on the board of Ability Options. Can you tell me a little bit about this work? I am especially interested in the impact you hope to have through your work in disability advocacy. 

ML:  At Ability Options, I focus on creating pathways for employment, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities. The goal is to shift mindsets from charity-based models to empowerment-based ones. I want to see real opportunities created, whether in sport, employment, or everyday life, and for people with disabilities to be given platforms to lead and shape their own futures.

MK: Throughout your career, have you seen improvements in inclusion and opportunities for athletes and other people with disabilities? Where do you think more progress is needed? 

ML:  There have been improvements—more visibility of para-athletes, better accessibility in workplaces, and stronger policies. But gaps remain, especially in grassroots participation, employment opportunities, and leadership representation. Inclusion can’t just be a box-ticking exercise—it needs to be embedded in culture, policy, and everyday actions.

MK: From your experience, what can workplaces and organisations learn from elite sports when it comes to fostering diversity and inclusion? A particularly important question given recent shifts in politics in other places. 

ML:  Elite sport thrives on diversity—teams succeed because of different strengths, perspectives, and roles. Workplaces can adopt the same mindset by valuing diverse talents, creating performance-driven cultures, and providing equal opportunities for growth. Like in sport, success in business isn’t about conformity—it’s about maximizing potential through inclusion, adaptability, and teamwork.

MK: I’ve heard people questioning the role of charities in general in a modern society. This stems from the conviction that they arise and function out of governments' inaction. What would you say to them? 

ML:  While government action is important, charities play a vital role in filling gaps, driving change, and advocating for underrepresented groups. They bring community-led solutions, innovation, and lived-experience perspectives that governments often miss. Rather than replacing government action, charities work alongside policies to ensure real impact on the ground.

MK:  Lastly, I cannot resist asking this – what’s next for Matthew Levy OAM?

ML:  I’m focused on expanding my work in leadership, advocacy, and corporate inclusion. I have new books coming out, ongoing board work, and a continued push to create change in the disability and sports sectors. I’m also looking at ways to build stronger connections between sport, business, and diversity initiatives. There’s always another challenge to take on, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!

Matthew Levy’s work, both in and out of the pool, serves as an inspiring reminder of how sport can be a tool for empowerment and societal change. It is helping to redefine what is possible for athletes of all abilities and, indeed, for all of us.

As communities and organisations continue to push for greater inclusion stories like Levy’s emphasise the importance of persistence, leadership, and a commitment to equity. Matthew Levy’s invitation to “…create a future where inclusion isn’t just a goal but a standard” deserves our response.