Reflecting on my journey,
I’ve come to understand that success, growth, and progress come from taking things one step at a time. From my years as a Paralympic swimmer, to my work in politics and advocacy, to the everyday joys of family life, each step has taught me something valuable about resilience, leadership, and the power of small victories.
Resilience Through Challenges
I’ve never seen myself as someone who faced unique challenges—I just focused on doing my best. Learning something new was always a success in itself, whether it was in sports, business, or politics. One of the most defining moments of my life was when it took me four years to learn how to climb out of the pool on my own. I was 12 when I started trying, and I was 16 by the time I finally succeeded. Those four years of trying and failing taught me that each attempt was a step closer, not a failure. The joy I felt when I finally succeeded was greater than any medal or world record I’ve achieved.
This experience shaped how I approach all my goals. Whether it was working tirelessly in the European Parliament for over three years to get the majority behind my amendment on the Uyghur genocide or the smaller steps I take in daily life, I’ve learned to celebrate the progress along the way. Results, especially the important ones, take time. The key is to focus on the small steps and enjoy those moments.
The Power of Leadership
Leadership, for me, is not about being the loudest or always being at the front. It’s about service and empowering others. Some of the best leaders I’ve encountered were those who weren’t afraid to challenge me, to disagree, and to offer a different perspective. If someone on my team can’t be convinced, I stop to reflect—maybe they’re right, and maybe I need to adjust my approach. It’s my role as a leader to bring out the best in the people around me, just as others have helped me evolve over the years.
This openness to collaboration and constructive disagreement has been vital in every position I’ve held, whether as Deputy Mayor of Gothenburg or in the European Parliament. I’ve learned that leadership is as much about listening and adapting as it is about taking charge.
Inclusion and Accessibility
Inclusion, for me, isn’t about quotas or ticking boxes—it’s about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in life. When I created LegaWear, it wasn’t just about making inclusive fashion, but about giving people the ability to take part in everyday activities with confidence. Having an unusual body myself, I knew the challenges of finding clothes that fit, and I wanted to offer that same dignity and comfort to others who faced similar challenges. That’s why LegaWear custom-makes suits for every body type, regardless of physical abilities, and ships them worldwide at an affordable price.
I believe the best people should be in the right positions, but sometimes those people need extra support to get there. That’s the balance I strive for—creating opportunities without relying on quotas, and ensuring that the support is there to lift people up when they need it.
Antisemitism and My Jewish Identity
People often see my disability and assume it’s the defining part of who I am, but my Jewish identity is much larger than that. Almost everyone on my father’s side of the family perished in the Holocaust, and that legacy has shaped my values and my life. Even though I’m not a person of faith, my Jewish identity is at the core of who I am. With the alarming rise in antisemitism, especially after October 7, 2023, the fight against this hatred has become even more urgent.
The challenge we face is that before we can even begin to combat antisemitism, we often get stuck in debates about whether something is antisemitic or not. Defining antisemitism must come first, because we can’t solve the problem if we’re constantly debating its existence. It’s vital that we stand up together and say, “Never again.”
Patience and Progress
Whether it’s advocating for children’s rights, disability rights, or combating antisemitism, I’ve learned that progress takes time. You need patience and stamina to keep pushing forward. In my work, I’ve always focused on helping others take that next step, providing the support they need to reach their best possibilities in life. It’s not always about achieving the end goal quickly; it’s about building momentum, one small step at a time.
The lesson I’ve come to embrace is that progress itself is success. You don’t need a gold medal every time—you just need to have taken one step forward. That step should be celebrated as if it were a gold medal because it gives you the energy to keep going, to take the next step, and then the next, until you reach where you want to be.
Family and Personal Joy
The greatest joy I’ve discovered, however, comes not from my own achievements, but from watching my daughter grow. Seeing her excitement when she writes her first letter or dips her head underwater at swim school surpasses any joy I’ve ever felt for my own medals or accomplishments. Natalie turns four this autumn, and under the loving care of my wife, Vega, she’s flourishing in ways that bring me more pride than I could have ever imagined. Watching her small victories brings a deeper sense of fulfillment than any success I’ve achieved on the world stage.
