Embrace Courage Act Fearlessly

I am Alexis Pritchard, New Zealand Olympian #1196...

I grew up in South Africa and landed on New Zealand soil on 24 January 2000. I was not the kid who dreamt of one day competing in a Commonwealth or Olympic Games. I just really loved playing sport and moving around. I was certainly not the best and didn't think I would ever be good enough to be a competitive athlete. I had legs that looked like sticks and in my mind they were not legs what would ever turn me into an athlete. After deciding that, I gave it little thought.

At 19 years old I started boxing for fitness and to feel better about myself. Boxing gave me purpose and direction. It made me feel confident and improved my self-esteem. In 2016, after over a decade of boxing for New Zealand on the international stage, I retired. It had taken me 12 years to realise I was "good enough" at boxing, and when I did, I decided boxing had served its purpose in my life and I could now walk away from the sport satisfied. For a brief 6-7 months I got on with life. At the beginning of 2017 I went back and forth in my head deliberating whether or not to return to the ring or get on with life after sport. In the end I decided to return to my sport to give myself a chance to compete amongst the world's best on the international stage with my new found self-belief.

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People wonder how I got to the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games without a solid belief. I had honed my skills in the physical performance of boxing. My mind had moments when it would come to the party and help me succeed, but then there were moments when the doubt would creep in and things would turn to custard. Some athletes know they are good enough from very early on in their careers, others take a very long time and I believe some never do.

Now is chance with this new mindset.

I have a big year coming up and I am excited by the journey ahead.

I love fighting for my country and I am always grateful for all the help I have received over the years from all of you in allowing me to continue to chase my boxing dreams.

xox Lex