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Sink or Swim

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Sink or Swim

By: Alexa Leary
Narrated by: Alexa Leary, Maddy Withington
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Meet the real Alexa Leary. You've seen the bubbly blonde dancing on the podium at the 2024 Paris Paralympics; you've followed her @moveforlex Instagram account; and marvelled at her world records in the pool. Now, hear her story.

This is a story in two parts, because Lex has lived two lives. There is the Lex from before her catastrophic cycling accident in 2021, when she was an ambitious triathlete with a bright future ahead. And there is the Lex after the accident, when a severe traumatic brain injury threatened her life and changed the course of her future forever.

Before Lex became the Golden Girl of Para Swimming, she spent 111 days in hospital and rehab, learning to walk and talk again, and getting to know her new brain. It's an ongoing process that continues today. Life with a TBI is full of challenges, big emotions and a lack of understanding. Under the weight of her trauma, Lex could have easily sunk - and there were times when she did - but ultimately, she chose to swim.

This is the untold story of Alexa Leary and her family. It is at-times confronting, heavy and dark; while also being inspiring, captivating and cheeky. Above all else, it is courageously vulnerable and searingly honest. As you would expect, from the one and only Lex Leary. Sports Cycling Swimming
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All stars
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Loved how family and people close to Alexa shared their story. I enjoyed the insight into someone having a TBI and the day to day living with this. Such an inspiring read.

Inspiring

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I marvelled at the strength of character that Alexa & her support team have shown through such adversity. Well done Alexa!

Honesty & commitment

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The writing style didn’t make me feel close to Alexa. It was like a slow burn documentary.
The few things depicted about Alexa’s behaviour and personality showed NPD and of course Bi-Polar traits already in existence prior to the accident and TBI. Her behaviour post accident just felt like a continuation of the initial behavioural traits, but exacerbated.
My heart totally goes out to the parents and siblings who endured so much.
In the end, Alexa’s triumph was a combination of both her own determination and the absolute support of all those around her who believed in her. Had this family been poor, this might have had a different outcome.

Difficult to truly fathom

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.