For those not familiar with Canadian born Carlson and her story, she details her successful diving journey on social media and openly talks about her mental health struggles, particularly with anxiety. Carlson reminds her millions of followers daily to:
“Be yourself. Do what you love” whilst also consistently reinforcing the idea of body positivity and being kind to yourself, always.
23-year-old Carlson took silver in Abu Dhabi last year at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). The FINA High Diving event was the final qualifying opportunity for the World Championships in Japan this spring. Carlson documented her achievements on her social media channels throughout the FINA World Championships saying:
“It’s amazing just to come out here and put down some dives that we’ve been training is just an honour, to be with the best team, of course, so happy.” Carlson finished with a combined score of 323.50 – 36.10, just behind Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland.
As a body-positive advocate and female extreme sports athlete Carlson has also used her platform to start a purposeful movement and hashtag on social media; #BraveGang, whereby she encourages her viewers to do something that scares them every day and to get out of their comfort zone. On her website, Carlson details that:
“The #BraveGang is a community for individuals to feel comfortable sharing unique brave stories with each other. The community inspires, supports, and overcomes. Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes and deserves to be celebrated at every level. Being yourself is brave, loving yourself is beautiful.”
A gymnast that then switched to diving in 2008 at age nine, Carlson became one of Canada’s top junior divers. She won two Pan Am junior titles (2013 and 2015), competed at the 2014 Youth Olympics and was a world junior finalist in 2014 and 2016. After six surgeries on her wrist, the Florida State alum decided it was better to land on her feet. That’s why the Ontario-born Carlson switched from the traditional diving events to high diving last season.
Carlson is currently a Senior National Team High Diver for Team Canada and well on her way to achieving her aquatic aspirations, with her next big stop coming up at the 19th FINA World Championships, which will take place in Fukuoka, Japan. The Championships’ concept of “Water Meets the Future” expresses the hope that all the participants will meet the future.
Source: FINA
Shuaeeb Is a seasoned sportswriter, social worker, and philanthropist. He has been renowned for his support of disabled sports persons and championing for equal rights and opportunities for all sports persons. He is also a father of 4 children and married to His partner Moana who is of Australian descent. He currently does sports volunteering and disability support work aside from writing for this August media.
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