Aug 13 2024 59 mins
Get ready to dive deep into the journey of a true champion. Meet Dylan Littlehales, a 24-year-old para-kayaker who is about to become a three-time Paralympian at the Paris 2024 Games. Despite being born with a limb deficiency and enduring over 20 surgeries since birth, Dylan's resilience and determination have propelled him to the pinnacle of his sport.
In this episode, Dylan shares the highs of winning the 2023 World Championship, his close friendship with fellow Paralympian Curtis McGrath, and the profound impact of his mother's battle with cancer on his life, both on and off the water. As he prepares for the KL3-200 metre kayak sprint in Paris, Dylan reveals his ultimate goal: retiring with gold at the Brisbane 2032 home Games.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with a man who has his sights set on the podium and beyond. No matter what happens in Paris, Dylan Littlehales is focused on a legacy that will inspire future generations.
Time Stamps
(00:30) Welcome and Paris Olympics update.
(02:00) Brief overview of the Dylan Littlehales story.
(03:12) Many thanks to our sponsor, Robson Civil Projects.
(04:50) Nicole Littlehales on the challenges Dylan faced when he was born with a limb deficiency.
(15:30) Olympic medallist Lachie Tame describes seeing Dylan at Avoca Kayak Club.
(16:18) Dylan Littlehales joins Steve in the studio. The boys talk about Central Coast Olympians Riley Fitzsimmons and Ella Beere in the K4 events.
(19:23) Training centre in Italy prior to the Paris Paralympics.
(21:30) Where it all began in his kayaking career.
(23:20) Friends with the incredible Fox family.
(26:35) Dylan's recollections of hospital visits and up to 20 operations.
(30:02) His first Paralympics in Rio 2016
(32:02) Forging a friendship with the legendary Curtis McGrath.
(35:29) 4th by a thousandth of a second in Tokyo.
(41:00) Winning a World Championship and coping with his Mum's Stage Two Breast Cancer diagnosis.
(45:52) Aussie support crew in Paris.
(48:20) Bachelor of Psychological Science and doing Masters.
(49:07) The End Game in 2032.
(53:11) The Donnica Clarke Foundation - supporting athletes on the Central Coast since 2008.
(54:15) Dylan's commentary rant.
(57:53) Wrap and many thanks to Robson Civil Projects.
In this episode, Dylan shares the highs of winning the 2023 World Championship, his close friendship with fellow Paralympian Curtis McGrath, and the profound impact of his mother's battle with cancer on his life, both on and off the water. As he prepares for the KL3-200 metre kayak sprint in Paris, Dylan reveals his ultimate goal: retiring with gold at the Brisbane 2032 home Games.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with a man who has his sights set on the podium and beyond. No matter what happens in Paris, Dylan Littlehales is focused on a legacy that will inspire future generations.
Time Stamps
(00:30) Welcome and Paris Olympics update.
(02:00) Brief overview of the Dylan Littlehales story.
(03:12) Many thanks to our sponsor, Robson Civil Projects.
(04:50) Nicole Littlehales on the challenges Dylan faced when he was born with a limb deficiency.
(15:30) Olympic medallist Lachie Tame describes seeing Dylan at Avoca Kayak Club.
(16:18) Dylan Littlehales joins Steve in the studio. The boys talk about Central Coast Olympians Riley Fitzsimmons and Ella Beere in the K4 events.
(19:23) Training centre in Italy prior to the Paris Paralympics.
(21:30) Where it all began in his kayaking career.
(23:20) Friends with the incredible Fox family.
(26:35) Dylan's recollections of hospital visits and up to 20 operations.
(30:02) His first Paralympics in Rio 2016
(32:02) Forging a friendship with the legendary Curtis McGrath.
(35:29) 4th by a thousandth of a second in Tokyo.
(41:00) Winning a World Championship and coping with his Mum's Stage Two Breast Cancer diagnosis.
(45:52) Aussie support crew in Paris.
(48:20) Bachelor of Psychological Science and doing Masters.
(49:07) The End Game in 2032.
(53:11) The Donnica Clarke Foundation - supporting athletes on the Central Coast since 2008.
(54:15) Dylan's commentary rant.
(57:53) Wrap and many thanks to Robson Civil Projects.