Stop and think: Consider a time when you faced a challenge. How did you handle it? Remember, it’s OK to seek help when you struggle. Every setback can be a step toward success.
When Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong’s celebrated swimmer and four-time Olympic medallist, reflects on her biggest challenges, it’s not her time in the pool that comes to mind – rather, she recalls a surprising experience from her university days.
“In university, I took a calculus course,” the 26-year-old said. “My maths skills weren’t too bad, but I completely didn’t understand what the teacher was saying.”
After failing her first two exams, Haughey felt disheartened: “I had never failed an exam before, and suddenly failing twice was disappointing.”
Determined to improve, she gathered her courage and approached her professor for help. He helped her review the material after class, and she also sought assistance from her classmate. By the semester’s end, Haughey passed the final exam and the course.
This experience instilled in her the importance of acknowledging limitations. “I struggled and didn’t want to attend that class. But if I truly wanted to succeed, I needed to ask for help,” she said.
Haughey shared with Young Post’s readers that seeking assistance required bravery, not weakness: “It’s a strength because you recognise your own shortcomings.”
Swim in the fast lane
Haughey’s journey from a reluctant beginning swimmer to world-class athlete was not smooth.
“I didn’t even like swimming at first,” she laughed. “My parents just wanted me to learn how to swim for safety. I found it boring – just staring at the bottom of the pool, lap after lap.”
Haughey revealed that she was not a natural talent; her success stemmed from sheer persistence. What ultimately kept her engaged were the friendships she developed in the pool.
“I kept showing up, day after day. I began to enjoy hanging out with my teammates, and slowly, without even realising it, I fell in love with swimming,” she said. “People think athletes are always super motivated, but that’s not true. There are plenty of days when I don’t feel like training.”
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Yet, she would always remind herself of her goals and think: “OK, let’s just do our best today.”
“If you feel stuck in an activity or school, my advice is to find aspects you enjoy and focus on that,” she suggested. “Your passion can grow or shift over time.”
For Haughey, mental resilience has been vital in overcoming setbacks.
She recalled feeling devastated after finishing fourth at the 2019 World Championships: “I told my coach, ‘We’ll get it next time.’”
But three years later, she was in fourth place again – another huge disappointment. “That one really stung, but I gave myself 15 minutes to feel bad. After that, I told myself, ‘Enough. Time to move on.’ In the next race, I finally stood on the podium.”
Growing up in Hong Kong
For Haughey, growing up with her mixed heritage – her father is Irish and her mother is a Hongkonger – shaped her perspective.
Reflecting on her upbringing, she said: “I attended a local school where most of my classmates were from Hong Kong. While I watched local TV and read local books, I sometimes felt I wasn’t entirely from here.”
“I only spent my summers in Ireland, so I know [Irish culture] even less,” she admitted.
Still, Haughey viewed this duality as a unique strength. “You can blend into both cultures ... I immersed myself in local traditions while sharing aspects of Irish culture with my classmates.”
She believes this fusion is essential, especially in a city that embodies Eastern and Western influences.
“I may be a bit different, but that makes me unique. You don’t have to choose one side; having two cultures enriches your perspectives and shapes who you are.”
Mental well-being and hopes for the future
While Haughey enjoys using social media, she recognises that these digital spaces can also harbour negativity. “Initially, I was upset by negative comments, but I learned to focus on the positive,” she said. “These people don’t know me, so why should their opinions matter?”
To maintain her mental well-being, Haughey practises digital detoxes, especially during competitions.
“It’s already high-stress; I don’t want extra distractions. I rarely read news about myself to block out what others think,” she said. “I do a detox to concentrate on the real world rather than the online noise.”
If she could decide again, Haughey said she would still choose to swim as it has been a fulfilling career. But she knows that an athlete’s time in the spotlight is short-lived.
Looking ahead, she aspires towards a career in child psychology. “I’ve always liked children; they mean so much to society. I’ll find that rewarding if I can help them find the right mindset for the future,” she said.
She also has a short-term personal goal: after years of swimming at the top, she is eager to go deeper. “My short-term aim is to get a diving certification in one year.”
What is her advice to students in search of their passion?
“Try as many things as you can. You might not love something right away, and that’s OK. Stick with what you enjoy, even just spending time with friends ... Passions can develop slowly.”
Hong Kong’s star swimmer Siobhan Haughey shares secrets to her Olympic success
Why this story matters: Siobhan Haughey’s journey shows that overcoming obstacles is part of life. It is crucial to embrace our unique backgrounds and turn challenges into opportunities.
