Courtney Schonell

I’m a Sydney girl who made the bold decision to leave everything familiar behind and move to the west coast—all to chase one dream: representing my country and one day becoming an Olympian. For the past five years, I’ve had the honour of being part of the national squad, living the athlete life with all its incredible highs and difficult lows.

Sport at this level isn't just about talent. It’s about resilience, discipline, and growth. I’ve learned this the hard way.

In my journey, I’ve faced two major knee injuries one heartbreakingly close to the Commonwealth Games, and another just 11 months out from the Olympics. Each setback tested me in ways I never expected, physically and mentally. But through these moments, I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had.

I've learnt that being an athlete isn’t just about what you do on the field it’s about how you show up every day, how you lead yourself through challenges, and how you turn adversity into fuel. I’ve learned the value of mindset, the power of support systems, and the importance of self-belief when everything feels uncertain.

Now, I’m here to share my story not just the highlights, but the hard parts too because that’s where the real growth happens. I want aspiring athletes to know that setbacks don’t define you; how you respond to them does. That your journey won’t be perfect, but it will be worth it. And that chasing a dream, even through uncertainty, is one of the most courageous things you can do.

Whether you're just starting out or in the middle of your own comeback, I’m here to say: keep going. Learn from the challenges. Embrace the process. And never stop dreaming. The sky is the limit