Learn to build resilience and navigate challenges from a 17-time Paralympic medalist.
One of the most rewarding experiences of our team is sharing the inspiring journeys of remarkable women — from entrepreneurs to educators and athletes — who have risen from humble beginnings to achieve greatness. Our guest today embodies this spirit. Oksana Masters is a Paralympic athlete with an impressive collection of 17 medals across four sports, including rowing, cross-country skiing, cycling, and biathlon. In 2020, she earned the title of Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability from the Laureus World Sports Awards. Oksana is also the author of the compelling memoir, “The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph.”
Oksana joins us to share her incredible journey to becoming an elite athlete, the hurdles she's faced, and how she managed to overcome them. She recalls her early life spent in Ukrainian orphanages before being adopted and brought to the U.S. at age seven. Her fond memories of America include discovering “Walmarts and Scooby Doos,” she humorously notes, while also sharing the challenges of adjusting to a new culture amidst the trauma of her past.
She sought an escape — and found it in sports. Oksana explains her initial hesitation toward athletics, but her passion ignited as she began rowing at 13. Tune in to learn how rowing became a therapeutic outlet, helping her regain control over her life following her second leg amputation.
“I used [sports] as a way to just learn me, learn how to love me, learn how to love my body, learn what I can do and the strength that I have,” she shares.
The Paralympian reflects on her journey, detailing the unexpected health and financial challenges she faced and the lessons she learned about resilience and achievement. She offers valuable advice on how anyone can foster grit in their careers. Her essential message? Difficult times are temporary.
“This moment in your life where you’re struggling — it is not going to be your forever,” she emphasizes. “It’s going to get easier. Every single day, focus on what you can control and what will positively shape your future.”
Oksana also discusses how hard work is just one component of success — cultivating positivity and self-confidence is equally vital. She admits, “Behind closed doors and in the mirror, I was the meanest person to myself. I didn’t like what I saw and often spoke negatively to myself.” Hear her story of how she conquered self-doubt during the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games and won two gold medals, all while managing an injury.
In our Mailbag segment, we discuss a note from an audiologist about the significance of hearing health, and address a query regarding income limits for solo 401(k)s. Special thanks to Certified Financial Planner Sarah Sprague Gerber for her guidance on this topic. In Thrive, we cover everything you need to know if you’re a first-time homebuyer.
To learn more about Oksana, visit her website and find her on Instagram. Discover her journey in her book!
