Born: 1961 (Perth, Western Australia)
Shelley Taylor-Smith (born 3 August 1961) is a former Australian long-distance swimmer. Born in Perth, Western Australia, Taylor-Smith suffered from scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, throughout her school years. The condition required her to wear a back brace, although she was successful in national age group swimming competitions.
While on a swimming scholarship to the University of Arkansas in the United States, the heavy training regime caused a lower-body paralysis. During her recovery, her coach noticed that her swimming improved at greater distances, and encouraged her to take up marathon swimming, a sport which would also allow her to avoid potentially back-damaging tumble turns.
Taylor-Smith’s first major achievement was breaking the world four-mile record in 1983. She continued to excel in marathon swimming and went on to win the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim an impressive five times, breaking the world record in 1995 for swimming the 48 km distance in five hours, 45 minutes, and 25 seconds.
In addition to her success at the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, Taylor-Smith also won the Australian Marathon Swimming Championships three times and clinched seven consecutive FINA Marathon World Cups. Her dedication to the sport and her remarkable performances earned her a gold medal in the inaugural open water swimming event at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships in Perth, as well as a bronze at the 1994 Championships in Rome.
Taylor-Smith’s story and achievements were so remarkable that she decided to share them in her autobiography, Dangerous When Wet: The Shelley Taylor-Smith Story, which was published in 1996. This memoir allowed readers to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges she faced and the mindset that drove her to success.
In 1998, Taylor-Smith faced another significant challenge when she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. She was given only six months to live due to prolonged exposure to polluted water and a Giardia lamblia infection. Despite the dire prognosis, Taylor-Smith defied the odds and went on to win her fifth consecutive Manhattan Island marathon. This victory marked the end of her swimming career, and she retired from the sport on a high note.
After retiring from swimming, Taylor-Smith returned to her hometown of Perth, where she currently lives and works as a motivational speaker. Through her company, Champion Mindset, she uses her own journey and experiences to inspire and empower others to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Shelley Taylor-Smith’s remarkable achievements in the world of marathon swimming make her an icon in women’s sports history. Her ability to overcome physical challenges and her relentless pursuit of excellence have left a lasting impact on the sport. Her story serves as a reminder of the power of determination and the potential for greatness within each individual.
Awards:
– Gold medal in open water swimming at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships in Perth.
– Bronze medal at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships in Rome.
– Five-time winner of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, including a world record-breaking swim in 1995.