Olympian Rod Dixon ONZM visited Waimea Intermediate last week to share inspirational leadership advice with students.
It was a timely talk from the 1983 New York City Marathon winner, with the school undertaking its cross-country run this week ahead of the interschool competition.
Rod spoke about overcoming adversity and not giving up, citing his fourth-place finish at the 1976 Olympics as motivation to return stronger.
“I went back to my hotel room and I cried, but I heard in my ear my mother saying, ‘get up, because you believe in yourself’. When you’re at the bottom you’ve got to fight back.”
“Learn by doing,” was the main mantra he shared with students.
When asked for tips for the school’s cross-country runners, Rod used the story of the tortoise and the hare, pointing to the tortoise badge on his shirt.
“Slow and steady wins the race. Be the tortoise, go out there slow and steady and get the first half done comfortably. The natural instinct when you’re young is sprint as fast as you can.”
