Strength and Dylan Schmidt

It’s hard for me to find an inspiration as to why I got into the sport trampoline. As a 5 year old I think I can confidently say the only reason I did it was because my big brother did it, my mum helped coach, and it was really fun. What inspired me to pursue the sport to a high level would have been my late coach Angie Dougal, because she made me realise I could be really good at the sport and developed me as an athlete.

I don’t particularly have an athlete inspiration. I think for the sport of trampolining, or it could just be me personally, it’s hard to have an athlete inspiration. I am quite an intrinsically motivated person, however when I would come back from a competition there would always be a little extra drive to be better because of the athletes I saw overseas. So I suppose I was inspired by a whole lot of athletes who were better than me and basically I wanted to beat them.

My personal inspiration would have to be my parents, they are always there to do or say whatever needs to be done or said. And I truly would not be where I am today if it was not for everything they have given up to let not only me, but my brother and sister pursue what we wanted to do, never holding us back.

I think for me, I can inspire in two ways. One within the sport and one outside trampoline. I really hope that through my career I can really inspire and build the trampoline community and grow the sport in New Zealand, because it is a great one. I already know how much influence I have on the young trampolinist’s in New Zealand and as much as it is daunting, it is a good feeling knowing I can make someone’s day just by saying hi or getting a photo. To me I don’t feel like anyone special, or feel like I should be treated any different but that’s the way it is I guess. I also hope I can inspire people from other minority sports to not give up when it gets hard, either financially, socially or physically. You will regret it, because if you have the right attitude, you can make it.