Former Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds says she’s been “really lucky” with new opportunities since retiring from competing three years ago – but admits the adjustment has also been an “emotional rollercoaster”.
Simmonds, who scooped five Paralympic golds, eight World Championship golds and broke eight world records during her swimming career, all by her mid-20s, says: “I’ve been really, really lucky, I’ve had some great opportunities. But it’s definitely been an emotional rollercoaster, the highs and the lows.
“Because for so long, I was a swimmer; that was what I did and that was my purpose every single day, whether it was a four-year plan for the Paralympics, or a year-plan for World Championships, I knew where I had to be every single day.
“Then all of a sudden that goes out the window and you have all this freedom. And sometimes you don’t know what to do with all that freedom.”
She has found a new stride over the past couple of years, however – donning the ballroom sequins on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, presenting for Channel 4’s Paralympic Games coverage last summer, and recently teaming up on a fashion line with Dewey, which creates clothes for people who are 5ft and under.
“It’s been amazing, being able to discover new passions and help create change,” Simmonds, who is 4ft and was born with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, says of getting involved with the brand (they launched an athleisure collection in Selfridges in September).
“For me, going to shops and stuff, I can’t just buy stuff off the shelf. Or I do, but I have to look and think – can I alter this, can I wear it? And I think with fashion, when you wear something [that just fits well], you feel confident, you feel comfortable, and it just changes how you feel. Whether it’s having a disability, or not, there are so many people out there who are 5ft and under, and now they can just go and get clothes they don’t have to alter. We’ve had such a positive response, it’s been wonderful.”
She’s also made a number of documentaries, including Finding My Secret Family for ITV (Simmonds, who grew up in Aldridge and later Swansea, was adopted as a baby) and A World Without Dwarfism? for BBC One, in which she investigated a controversial new drug that promises to help children with dwarfism grow to more average heights.
She is also continuing in her longstanding role as an ambassador for the charity WaterAid. Simmonds stars in a film for the charity’s ‘Where there’s water’ winter appeal, to help the one in 10 people around the world who don’t currently have access to clean water close to home – so they can focus on their education, women can give birth more safely, and families can enjoy life without the fear of preventable deadly diseases such as cholera.
It features photos from her childhood and iconic career moments, illustrating the role water played in her own hopes and dreams.
“Water is everything to me. It was my life, my job, my obsession – everything,” says Simmonds, who was five when she fell in love with swimming, and 10 when she was talent-spotted and started on the path towards competing.
“When you see around the world there’s still so many people who don’t have access to clean water, and the impact that has… It’s about raising awareness for me.”
Simmonds turned 30 in November – and yes, the milestone birthday did prompt some self-reflection. “Definitely – even though I still feel like I’m in my early 20s,” she laughs. “But turning 30, there’s definitely a moment where you evaluate things, and think about the future and what makes you happy, all that stuff.”
Self-care is “becoming a big priority”, she adds.
“This year, I’ve realised exercise is something I [want to] prioritise. Like making sure I got up super early this morning to go to the gym, trying different things as well, whether it’s Reformer Pilates, Barry’s [Bootcamp], Barrecore or going to try badminton. I’ve realised exercise is not just helping with my physical health, it helps with my mental health as well. And I try to swim once a week, but again, that’s more just for mental health too.
“Sometimes I can’t be bothered to go. I set my alarm and think, ‘Gosh, why am I setting my alarm before work?’ But once I’m there, afterwards I feel so good about going. It’s one of those things that you never, ever regret.”
Because it’s not just the discipline and purpose that falls away when you retire from professional sports and athletics, Simmonds highlights.
“When you’re an athlete, exercise is your job, but you also get all this other stuff that comes with it, like soft tissue [therapy], physio, a psychologist, going to the gym and doing yoga – all that is just is part of your routine, but you don’t realise all the positive effects it’s having on you mentally as well.
“And then all of a sudden, that goes. Then you have a bit of a break from it all and you realise how important it is, and how much it’s needed in this next chapter of life too.”
For as much as she “loves” her work and all the new passions she’s exploring, this includes making time for the basic stuff too.
“It’s that balance. I love my work, I love going out and being sociable – I could be working every day because I’m still having fun and still loving it. But you need to just have a bit of ‘you time’ and sleep and do all those things, whether it’s going to the gym, cleaning the house or sorting out clothes or all that clutter.
“I’ve just been away for a month traveling and celebrating my 30th and I realised, probably beforehand I was working too much, but actually I need to prioritise friends, family, my health, taking life a bit slower… Not saying yes to everything is important.”
Watch Ellie’s film and support WaterAid’s ‘Where there’s water’ winter appeal at wateraid.org/ellie
