Olympian Siobhan Haughey shares her biggest challenges and dreams for the future

But Haughey decided to ask for help from her teacher and a smart classmate. By the end of the semester, Haughey passed her final exam and completed the course.

This experience taught her an important lesson: it’s OK to ask for help when you need it. “It shows strength to recognise your weaknesses,” she said.

Haughey’s path to becoming a great swimmer was not easy. At first, she did not even like swimming. Her parents wanted her to learn, but she found it boring.

“I just stared at the bottom of the pool,” she laughed.

However, as she continued to swim, she started to enjoy spending time with her teammates. “I kept showing up every day. Slowly, I fell in love with swimming.”

According to Haughey, athletes do not always feel motivated. “Some days, I don’t want to train,” she said.

But she reminds herself of her goals and thinks, “Let’s just do our best today.”

The swimmer has also faced disappointments. After finishing fourth in the 2019 World Championships, she felt very sad. But instead of giving up, she told her coach, “We’ll try again next time.”

But three years later, she finished fourth again.

“That one really hurt,” she said. “But I gave myself 15 minutes to feel bad. Then, I told myself, ‘Enough. Time to move on.’ In the next race, I finally stood on the podium!”

Haughey has a unique background. Her father is Irish, and her mother is from Hong Kong. Growing up, she attended a local school where most of her friends were from Hong Kong. Sometimes, she felt like she did not fully belong to either culture.

However, she sees this as a strength. “I can blend into both cultures,” she said. “I enjoy local traditions while sharing Irish culture with my friends.”

She believes that having two cultures makes her unique.

“You don’t have to choose one side. Both cultures enrich who you are,” she said.

Haughey enjoys using social media, but she has also experienced receiving negative comments online.

“I used to get upset,” she admitted. “But I learned to focus on the positive. Those people don’t know me, so their opinions don’t matter.”

To keep her mind healthy, she sometimes takes breaks from social media, especially during competitions. “I don’t want extra distractions,” she explained.

After her swimming career, Haughey wants to become a child psychologist.

“I love working with children,” she said. “Helping them find the right mindset for the future is important.”

In addition to her career plans, she has a personal goal to get a diving certification in a year.

Haughey has advice for students who are still looking for their passion.

“Try many things. You might not love something right away, and that’s OK. Stick with what you enjoy, whether it’s hanging out with friends or learning something new,” she said. “Passions can develop slowly.”

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Reflect: How does Siobhan Haughey’s journey inspire you to overcome your own challenges?

Why this story matters: Siobhan Haughey’s journey shows the importance of seeking help when facing challenges. Her experiences remind us that difficulties help us grow, and that persevering can lead to success.