Paralympian Ellie Cole is like no one you’ve ever met before. After losing her right leg to cancer at age 3, in 2021 she became Australia’s most decorated female Paralympic athlete, with a record-breaking 17 Paralympic medals and OAM to her name.

At age three, Ellie’s right leg was amputated after she suffered a life-threatening sarcoma cancer. Rather than dwell on adversity, Ellie has instead shown an incredible ability to overcome the odds.

In her 16yrs in the pool, Ellie has risen to prolific heights and, in recognition was honoured as the flagbearer at the Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony.

Ellie is raw and real, funny and wonderfully charismatic, refreshingly humble and completely unaware of the true inspiration she is. A popular speaker, she finds ways to connect with her audiences; whether students, corporate teams or senior boards and she is incredibly passionate about the subject of diversity and inclusion, leveraging her strong platform as an athlete to highlight important causes.

It’s not only Ellie’s courageous story but her unrivalled sense of humour, wonderful humility and never-say-die attitude that make her a true Australian inspiration.

Taking another session to the bank 🐖 I’ve got to say, I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love everyday. Even if it really hurt sometimes, I’m very lucky. 🙏
Taking another session to the bank 🐖 I’ve got to say, I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love everyday. Even if it really hurt sometimes, I’m very lucky. 🙏
...Sometimes you’ve got to be a beauty AND a beast 🦾💃🏻
...Sometimes you’ve got to be a beauty AND a beast 🦾💃🏻
Fun fact Friday: @brucemcavaney also has a dog named Frankie. She was very protective of her dad at first but I won her over with lots of pats. If only this worked with humans too.
Fun fact Friday: @brucemcavaney also has a dog named Frankie. She was very protective of her dad at first but I won her over with lots of pats. If only this worked with humans too.
Saturday nights on the couch with my old boy Franklin. #ChihuahuasOfInstagram #BFFs
Saturday nights on the couch with my old boy Franklin. #ChihuahuasOfInstagram #BFFs
Para sport wasn’t on the TV when I was a kid. It was really difficult growing up and never seeing anyone who looked like me playing sports, or being celebrated, or equal for that matter. On Friday, I met a powerhouse young swimmer who reminded
Para sport wasn’t on the TV when I was a kid. It was really difficult growing up and never seeing anyone who looked like me playing sports, or being celebrated, or equal for that matter. On Friday, I met a powerhouse young swimmer who reminded me so much of myself. She had been following my journey and absolutely loves Para swimming, and wants to be a Paralympian when she grows up. Her parents and @swimmingaustralia arranged a surprise visit and we spent a great afternoon together just hanging out and sharing stories. Keep your eyes and ears out for @emilee.pratt09. You might just see her on your TV screens in 2024. This video is ridiculously cute and takes me down memory lane to meeting Amanda Drennan back in 2004 😆
It’s been a difficult week with the introduction of double training sessions and not much rest in between. The kilometres are ticking back up again, the heart rates are climbing, the intensity is beginning to increase and im getting reacquainted will the feeling of being tired ALL DAY. It’s been interesting to see our Tokyo Olympians and Paralympians returning back to their sports - training again for the goal that reset itself in a matter of weeks. Take two! Woohoo! #OhWhatAFeeling
This is way more fun than doing 10x300s. I only need to add two more flips, four more twists and do it flying through the air to match @lydialassila and all her greatness.
🙏 to all of our volunteers who keep our world turning. #NationalVolunteersWeek
🙏 to all of our volunteers who keep our world turning. #NationalVolunteersWeek
‘I don’t think I should be saying this...but I will’. I usually start my stories with these words. A few weeks ago I sat down for a date with @samsquiers to exchange some stories. There happened to be a microphone there and you’ll happen to find these stories on her new podcast, ‘On Her Game’. You’ll find the link to On Her Game in my bio guys, so get listening 🎧 @podcastoneau
@bronte_campbell , HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you 🥳 A year of memories with some of the best here for you all to enjoy. Good laughs, long conversations, plenty of difficult training sets, plenty of coffee...and some spontaneous weirdness to make a treasured
@bronte_campbell , HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you 🥳 A year of memories with some of the best here for you all to enjoy. Good laughs, long conversations, plenty of difficult training sets, plenty of coffee...and some spontaneous weirdness to make a treasured friendship. I can’t wait to see what comes next year for you🥂
Dear diary. It’s been six weeks since my last swim. Was this close 🤏today. It’s a little chilly, so instead I just sat and watched the pelicans.
Dear diary. It’s been six weeks since my last swim. Was this close 🤏today. It’s a little chilly, so instead I just sat and watched the pelicans.
Out of 100 to 100, how smart do I look in my new Oscar Wylee glasses? I look spectacular #Pun 🤓 . #ImNowAScientist #GlassesMakeYouSmarter #OscarWylee @oscarwylee
Out of 100 to 100, how smart do I look in my new Oscar Wylee glasses? I look spectacular #Pun 🤓 . #ImNowAScientist #GlassesMakeYouSmarter #OscarWylee @oscarwylee
Guys, I did a thing. Although it took 9 years, it is possible to travel the world racing AND complete a degree. Unfortunately due to restrictions I had to receive my Bachelors degree via email today. ACU were nothing but exceptional with their flexi
Guys, I did a thing. Although it took 9 years, it is possible to travel the world racing AND complete a degree. Unfortunately due to restrictions I had to receive my Bachelors degree via email today. ACU were nothing but exceptional with their flexibility and support so 🥂 everyone! #Qualified
What do you get when you cross an amputee with a slippery driveway? Well, from personal experience I can tell you that it’s not a good mix. Seven weeks ago TODAY I went down like a sack of potatoes and fractured my hip in two places. After al
What do you get when you cross an amputee with a slippery driveway? Well, from personal experience I can tell you that it’s not a good mix. Seven weeks ago TODAY I went down like a sack of potatoes and fractured my hip in two places. After almost two agonising months on crutches, I am happy to report I’m back on two feet again and it feels so, so good. This has definitely been my #OhWhatAFeeling moment in iso.
Even in iso, I could watch my niece look for all of her Easter eggs. She was so excited she left her bike helmet on 😂 She cleaned up and was absolutely spoilt by the bunny this year (@twohartdreamers ) #VirtualEaster #HappyEaster
Even in iso, I could watch my niece look for all of her Easter eggs. She was so excited she left her bike helmet on 😂 She cleaned up and was absolutely spoilt by the bunny this year (@twohartdreamers ) #VirtualEaster #HappyEaster
Two words: Amputee problemo Left side 🦾 POW POW Right side 🥴 Somebody, please get me to a pool stat. These land things are hard.
I always told myself that the upcoming Tokyo Games would be the most unique experience of my life. It was the one that was going to push me all the way both physically and mentally. It had been a Games that had thrown everything at me. A relocation,
I always told myself that the upcoming Tokyo Games would be the most unique experience of my life. It was the one that was going to push me all the way both physically and mentally. It had been a Games that had thrown everything at me. A relocation, a fractured foot, a fractured hip, multiple shoulder injuries, early mornings, aching muscles and some very early bed times. As each difficult moment came, I had an amazing team to help pull me through to the other side. Now, the news that our upcoming Games has been postponed is just another difficult moment to add to book. Health will always come first and the world needs to take a break. Athletes are some of the most resilient individuals walking the planet or swimming up and down the pool. I know I’ll use my team to get through this one too 🙏 Now it’s time for a rest. Thank you to everyone who has reached out. You are all part of the team 💙🦾
The only thing I have ever painted really well is the sun. So, when @samiilund showed me her latest piece for the #Archibald I couldn’t believe my eyes 🤭. #archibaldprize2020
Each one of these BOSS LADIES are so special to me. @cate_campbell and @bronte_campbell make the monotony of day to day living something to look forward to. They are both the most caring people I know. @johgriggs7 is a joy to be around and really d
Each one of these BOSS LADIES are so special to me. @cate_campbell and @bronte_campbell make the monotony of day to day living something to look forward to. They are both the most caring people I know. @johgriggs7 is a joy to be around and really does light up the room with her wicked sense of humour. She is one of the best story tellers I know. @anniejwilliams has seen me grow up from a little itty bitty chubby kid with no social filter into my almost 30s still with no social filter. She is one of the most driven people I know. What a great day it was to be with the girls at @channel7
Taking another session to the bank 🐖 I’ve got to say, I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love everyday. Even if it really hurt sometimes, I’m very lucky. 🙏 ...Sometimes you’ve got to be a beauty AND a beast 🦾💃🏻 Fun fact Friday: @brucemcavaney also has a dog named Frankie. She was very protective of her dad at first but I won her over with lots of pats. If only this worked with humans too. Saturday nights on the couch with my old boy Franklin. #ChihuahuasOfInstagram #BFFs Para sport wasn’t on the TV when I was a kid. It was really difficult growing up and never seeing anyone who looked like me playing sports, or being celebrated, or equal for that matter. On Friday, I met a powerhouse young swimmer who reminded
It’s been a difficult week with the introduction of double training sessions and not much rest in between. The kilometres are ticking back up again, the heart rates are climbing, the intensity is beginning to increase and im getting reacquaint
This is way more fun than doing 10x300s. I only need to add two more flips, four more twists and do it flying through the air to match @lydialassila and all her greatness.
🙏 to all of our volunteers who keep our world turning. #NationalVolunteersWeek
‘I don’t think I should be saying this...but I will’. I usually start my stories with these words. A few weeks ago I sat down for a date with @samsquiers to exchange some stories. There happened to be a microphone there and you&rsq
@bronte_campbell , HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you 🥳 A year of memories with some of the best here for you all to enjoy. Good laughs, long conversations, plenty of difficult training sets, plenty of coffee...and some spontaneous weirdness to make a treasured Dear diary. It’s been six weeks since my last swim. Was this close 🤏today. It’s a little chilly, so instead I just sat and watched the pelicans. Out of 100 to 100, how smart do I look in my new Oscar Wylee glasses? I look spectacular #Pun 🤓 . #ImNowAScientist #GlassesMakeYouSmarter #OscarWylee @oscarwylee Guys, I did a thing. Although it took 9 years, it is possible to travel the world racing AND complete a degree. Unfortunately due to restrictions I had to receive my Bachelors degree via email today. ACU were nothing but exceptional with their flexi What do you get when you cross an amputee with a slippery driveway? Well, from personal experience I can tell you that it’s not a good mix. Seven weeks ago TODAY I went down like a sack of potatoes and fractured my hip in two places. After al Even in iso, I could watch my niece look for all of her Easter eggs. She was so excited she left her bike helmet on 😂 She cleaned up and was absolutely spoilt by the bunny this year (@twohartdreamers ) #VirtualEaster #HappyEaster
Two words: Amputee problemo Left side 🦾 POW POW Right side 🥴 Somebody, please get me to a pool stat. These land things are hard.
I always told myself that the upcoming Tokyo Games would be the most unique experience of my life. It was the one that was going to push me all the way both physically and mentally. It had been a Games that had thrown everything at me. A relocation,
The only thing I have ever painted really well is the sun. So, when @samiilund showed me her latest piece for the #Archibald I couldn’t believe my eyes 🤭. #archibaldprize2020
Each one of these BOSS LADIES are so special to me. @cate_campbell and @bronte_campbell make the monotony of day to day living something to look forward to. They are both the most caring people I know. @johgriggs7 is a joy to be around and really d