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Shane Gould MBE, Olympic & World Championships
Over thirty years after her golden triumphs at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Shane Gould is still an household name throughout Australia and wherever people take an interest in swimming.
The only person, male or female, to hold every world freestyle record from 100m to 1500m simultaneously and the only swimmer ever to win three Olympic Gold Medals in world record time, Shane Gould’s career was short but dramatic. She burst onto the scene as a 13-year-old. Four years and 11 world records later, she retired.
Shane Gould's life has paralleled her swimming. It has been a never-ending series of tumble turns involving a complete change of direction and leading inexorably, towards new goals.
Qualifying for the Munich Olympics in seven individual events, Shane Gould finished with three Gold, a Silver and a Bronze. Returning a national heroine, constant media attention created pressure on the Gould family and a much-publicised conflict between her father and coach. Feeling overwhelmed, Shane took refuge and meaning in God, surfing and an alternative lifestyle.
Turning her back on ‘Shane Gould the swimmer,’ Shane married at age 18 and adopted a simple lifestyle with her husband on a farm in Western Australia. There she developed a love for horses and a passion for the environment. The birth of four children in five years from 1978 to 1983 saw another "tumble turn" into the role of mother and educator.
During this time, Shane Gould taught natural horsemanship, women’s learn-to-surf classes and 16 seasons of learn-to-swim. Competitive urges were satisfied by unusual events. In 1993 and 1994 she was the WA state horse ploughing champion. Shane has always set high standards for excellence and technique accuracy. However what is most important to her is the ‘feel’ in a sport. Feel for the horse, feel of the water, feel of the ocean’s power. Harmony and connection with the water or animal is a meditative thing for Shane, a practical outworking of her reverence for God and connection to nature.
After self-debriefing and integrating Shane-the-swimmer with Shane-the-person, Shane’s 22 year marriage ended and she broke through a year-long depression. As a result, she re-emerged into the public eye, determined to help others.
Now a successful businesswoman, author, keynote speaker and swimming commentator, Shane Gould speaks about goals, motivation, personal development, retaining energy and youthfulness, taking the rough with the smooth, moving forward positively and gaining the most out life’s experiences.
Shane Gould is also researching swimming teaching and training methods. She has returned to the swimming pool, where she trains "to be fit for life" and competes occasionally in Masters events. In 1999 her autobiography Tumble Turns was published. A new edition with 3 updated chapters was published in May 2003.
Officially designated a "Living National Treasure" and a recipient of the 2003 Centenary medal, Shane Gould is known for her generous heart, her compassionate and visionary perspective, and her ability to inspire others to do their best.
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