Chris Waddell Shares His Message of Resilience
The CVA community was honored to host Chris Waddell recently, the most decorated male monoski racer in history and a Paralympic track athlete. Chris visited campus to share his story and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Chris encouraged students to embrace his motto: “It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens to you.” Drawing on his program, “Nametags,” he invited students to consider the labels they carry and the limitations they might impose. “The nametags we wear can sometimes be limitations… I want to see if we can let some of that go,” he said.
Sharing his journey from world champion ski racer to life-changing injury, Chris emphasized resilience and perspective. He challenged students to take risks and embrace challenges: “The greatest risk we take in life and in school is not taking a risk at all. It’s so easy to follow the crowd, but you can do anything.”
Chris outlined his Four S’s of Resilience: Self (Am I a victim or a survivor?), Situation (Is it overwhelming or a challenge?), Support (Am I alone or part of a team?), and Strategy (Do I have one or many ways forward?). He encouraged students to reflect on how they want to be seen, creating their own “nametags” to serve as daily reminders of their strengths and potential. “How often do we quit before we even start? Be willing to stay in that fight!”
Chris’s visit left students energized, thoughtful, and motivated to face challenges with courage, resilience, and optimism.
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