©Channel 4
WHO DARES WINS
Lauren (far left) is among celebrities taking part in Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins Stand Up to Cancer.
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It’s safe to say Lauren Steadman is ready to take on all comers. Not content with being a Paralympic medal winning triathlete, the 27 year old became the nation’s darling when she took to the dance floor in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
ow she’s done the treble – signing up to get down and dirty with eleven fellow celebrities in a Stand Up to Cancer version of Channel 4’s toughest reality TV show SAS Who Dares Wins. Contestants are put through gruelling challenges in what’s described as the ultimate test of their physical and psychological resilience. None of these are easy options. The public glare and social media scrutiny add risk. But Lauren seems to emerge unscathed. She’s relaxed talking to MC magazine about life, success and proving that disability (she was born missing her forearm) is no barrier to fulfilling a dream.
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This ‘bring it on’ attitude goes back to childhood. When she realised she wouldn’t fulfil her dream of becoming a champion swimmer Lauren changed course to the triathlon.
“I always thought I’d be a swimmer, but as time went on I knew I wasn’t going to achieve what I wanted. It was a really tough decision but I was always an all rounder, so I was disappointed but ready to switch to the triathlon.” Her dedication to her sport meant leaving home at 14 to attend a boarding school. “It was hard for my family. I missed them, but I was so focused on my goal I didn’t have time to stop and think.” Lauren’s main pressure was combining sport and study. But she went on to gain a degree in Psychology as well as a Masters in Business, and become seven times European and three times World champion, as well as winning a Paralympic Silver medal.
I missed home, but I was so focused on my goal I didn’t have time to stop and think.
