Take some time with triathlete Nic Beveridge

What do Nic Beveridge, Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Paralympic Games have in common? We find out. 

Nic Beveridge’s life changed at 17 when he woke one morning in the hospital to find out he had transverse myelitis – a neurological condition that saw his immune system attack his spinal cord and caused him to be paralysed from just below the chest down.

In his own words, Nic said he spent years trying to recapture the life he had before that day, though it wasn’t until watching the 2012 Paralympic Games that something clicked. But rather than being inspired by a gold medal, he was drawn to a small snippet of an athlete’s story who lost a leg to cancer and then climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Almost instantly motivated to ‘do more’, Nic found his way to triathlon, and connected with then-three-time world champion Bill Chaffey. That changed everything, and just four years after that connection, he was on his way to Rio 2016.

This year he was in the process of qualifying for Tokyo for a shot at his second Paralympic Games. With that on hold, we caught up with Nic – an Optus Paralympic ambassador – to reflect on Rio and talk Tokyo, as well as pizza and Dr. Seuss.

Let’s dive right in. You’ve been to the Paralympics before. Tell us about your debut there…

As an athlete and probably just for an individual in life as well, you don’t always know at the time what your gold medal moment is.

You want to think there’s more, but when you’re always looking ahead you’re not enjoying what you have done and where you are in the current moment.

Looking back now I can happily acknowledge that just making Rio was a gold medal moment for me.

With that in mind, how do you view Tokyo 2020?

Tokyo is more about just being happy to be there. I feel like that approach is going to bring out a really good performance in me, because I am still interested in developing myself and I am fuelled by that.

That hunger it gives me, I will be happy to be there because it’s another chance to perform at a Paralympics.

Can you describe what it’s like?

No other race compares. Nothing compares to a Paralympics.

The level, everyone goes up. It’s almost mind blowing how much everyone steps up. Everyone just finds something more. It’s a privilege to be part of.

How are you using the time to prepare for next year?

Initially it’s a shock to a lot of people but it’s also a huge opportunity. When have you ever been given an extra 12 months to prepare for something?

Think about an exam you had been preparing for and you were like, ‘OK, I think I’m ready but if I had more time I could have used it more wisely…’. Well, we’ve suddenly got that opportunity.

So, the hard work starts now?

I think this is an opportunity for people who maybe can’t train the way they did, or exercise the way they did, to learn to rest better.

To get into really good sleeping patterns, start to understand nutrition in a way that works for them and their unique circumstances, so they’re fuelling their body in a way to be well.

Talk to us about nutrition… How do you rate yourself in the kitchen?

I’d say I’m handy. I’m not a chef, but I can make things…

OK, you’ve got five ingredients… Go.

Because I’m a creature of habit, the first thing that comes to my head are three types of vegies, rice and fish or chicken or red meat.

And if you’re not in training mode?

I find it hard not to make pizza. Who doesn’t like making pizza?

You can say that again. Alright, we’re still relaxing. TV? Music? Reading?

I find reading relaxing; probably non-fiction books. I like my imagination, I don’t really feel like I need to be taken somewhere else in another story to relax.

If you could have three books to read until now and Tokyo 2020, what would they be?

Number one is, Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss? I certainly didn’t expect that…

It sounds silly, but if you’ve got a copy around, read it as an adult and I feel like it’ll blow your mind.

It’s one of the most powerful books about life, and highly relatable to being an athlete, that I’ve ever come across. If you get a chance, give it a go through an adults’ eyes.

Very interesting indeed. Next?

Good to Great. It’s kind of like a business book, but reading it I just thought everything about conducting yourself as an athlete, but as a business. I found it really empowering. You’re in control of your decisions.

And last one…

The Talent Lab. It’s written by the Team Great Britain performance directors… It’s a bloody good read.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Embrace the boredom, because that’s where the thought process happens. It’s when you’re bored you might turn to a book, or you’ll lie there and start thinking.

Be curious. It’s simple, but if you’re curious during this time you never know what you’re going to learn or come out of it with.

Wise words. Thanks for your time, Nic.

Thank you!