S1 Ep6: Grace Wembolua on Body Confidence

Grace Wembolua is the focus of episode six of A Winning Mindset: Lessons From The Paralympics and talks in depth about the importance of body confidence.

Wembolua, who lost both legs in an arson attack aged four, has grown from a teenager scared to show her scars and prosthetic legs to her closest friends into an international icon for body confidence, modelling and working with the likes of L'Oréal, Marie Claire and ASOS.

Reflecting on the fire, Wembolua recalled: "I literally just walked into the flames. And that’s when I started getting burned. I woke up three months after in hospital and my dad was sitting next to me, dressed as a surgeon. I asked him right away 'Where is mum? Where is my brother?' He started crying. And that’s how I knew that they were gone.”

Wembolua, who represented France in wheelchair basketball at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, has become a role model for thousands across the world through her media work and focus on body confidence. "As a little girl, I always wanted to become famous or to be a star and I never thought it possible or saw anybody looking different on TV. Now I want to show people that in a society where you’re meant to fit in, we are a rainbow of different colours and shades and bodies. I just want people to feel empowered and brave whenever they see me or my story."

The athlete, who lives in Cannes, also speaks in depth about her scars and how she has embraced them. She reflects on how she has learned to live with the perceptions of others and how she works on building her self-esteem and body positivity. The story of Wembolua is one of defiance and self-belief, as well as a powerful drive to inspire others to be happy with the way they look and become a positive role model for people globally.

Learning topics for this episode include body confidence, social media management, recovering from trauma, being a role model and brand management.

Allianz is a long-standing partner of the International Paralympic Committee. Together, we’re proud to bring you this series of podcasts. We aim to help you move forward in all aspects of your personal and professional life.

By hearing from Paralympic stars, you’ll be introduced to stories that inspire and change the way you think. Stories of facing life’s challenges with confidence, determination and excellence, and the true power of having the right team behind you.