Redefining the race

Amber Keegan's journey from competitive pool swimmer to marathon open water athlete reveals how overcoming an eating disorder ultimately led to a greater purpose. Despite missing her Olympic dream, Amber found meaning in founding Athlete Interactions, a non-profit creating safe spaces for female athletes struggling with mental health challenges. “I realised that the journey is everything," she reflects. “While I absolutely didn't feel it at the time, I see now that the path I took led me to something even bigger than Paris: making sure that no other female athlete feels as alone as I once did.”