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My first encounter with 13-time Paralympic ChampionJessica Longwas two years ago.
I was sitting on the bleachers at my first Paralympic swim meet, and I was terrified.
Instead, this kind woman in the cool swimsuit made me feel better.
Since then, Long and I have crossed paths several times.
Courtesy of Jessica Tatiana Long
(Trust me, you dont.)
Long is a bilateral below-knee amputee who swam her first Paralympic Games at the age of 12.
Shes never slowed down on her journey at least not until COVID-19 pandemic slowed things down for her.
Courtesy of Jessica Tatiana Long
JESSICA LONG:When the pool shut down, I didn’t immediately realize the severity of it.
And I’m focusing on what I can control.
I can control working out in my living room.
Courtesy of Jessica Tatiana Long
I can control what I put into my body.
ALLURE: Both the 2020 Trials and Paralympics have been postponed.
Is there anything in particular that has helped you cope with this temporary loss?
Courtesy of brand
JL:Self-care really helped.
Everyone had a loss or lost something during COVID.
Most importantly, I didn’t want to feel guilty for feeling sad sometimes.
Courtesy of brand
But I think it was a perfect time for a break.
I painted our whole living room, we’d play cards, and I was trying new things!
ALLURE:Do you feel like re-establishing a routine during quarantine has helped you stay motivated?
Courtesy of brand
I loveroutinesand love having something to look forward to.
Then I’d look forward to a bath.
One time [during quarantine], I picked up a dozen roses from the grocery store.
Courtesy of brand
I picked them apart and lit candles and created my own spa.
But that’s just stuff that makes me feel happy and like everything’s okay.
ALLURE:Speaking of self-care, do you have any swear-by beauty tips?
JL:Always take your makeup off at night.
Also,sunscreenis so important.
I recently started putting it on my hands while I drive.
And I love doing facial massages with jade rollers to help with circulation.
And drink lots of water.
ALLURE:What most excites you about returning to the pool?
JL:Being an amputee, exercise is something that helps me feel more secure.
That was the hardest part about quarantine.
Working out helps me sleep better and feel better.
Having racing taken away has made me realize how much I love it.
Swimming is definitely a form of self-care, and it always makes me feel my best.
This is when I feel the most beautiful.
As an athlete with brand partnerships, what do you think about the state of inclusivity right now?
JL:[Working with swimsuit brand] Arena’s been amazing.
They are so on board with showing my legs, and I think that’s super cool.
I believe that normalizing professional athletes who have challenges will inspire the next generation.
And continuing to normalize this concept is something I hope to keep doing as I get older.
I think it’s great that we’re talking about it.
We should be talking.
The job is never done, and there’s still lots of work to do in terms ofaccessibility.
There was a time where people didn’t understand the Paralympics.
This is where we need to normalize.
“Para” means “Parallel.”
The Paralympics are parallel with the Olympics.
There are so many misconceptions.
Everyone is different, and every single person is so beautiful.
We have to get on board with that.
The biggest thing is just being kind to people.
We can control being kind and the way that we approach situations.
Do you have any advice to offer to anyone struggling right now?
JL:Everyone goes through challenges and setbacks.
I like the notion of “using a setback to make a comeback.”
You’re always given a choice to rise up.
I’ve learned so much through my failures, and that’s why I’m still here.
In the end, no one remembers the losses; they remember the wins.
And you define your own success.
I like to envision the end goal, but what gets me there is setting small milestones.
Then when you turn back and look at how far you’ve come, that’ll be very motivating.
take a stab at find the good in everything.
you could’t control every situation.
you gotta focus on the things you might control and relinquish your grasp over what you might’t.
Knowing that you’ve done everything within your power will give you confidence.
I never want to get there and have to say, what if?
Last but not least… Heres the list she revealed and prefaced with, “products I cant live without…seriously.”
$35(Shop Now)
Long calls this one her “favorite, favorite product.
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