Para-athlete Funmi Oduwaiye on the importance of staying active

Watching Funmi Oduwaiye compete in her first Paralympic games in Paris at the age of 21, you might assume she had been built for shotput and discus. But before a failed medical procedure sent her life on a new trajectory, the young athlete had a different future mapped out for herself. She talked to Breast Cancer UK about how staying active has helped her through this tough transition.

Staying active is one of the lifestyle factors that can most dramatically decrease our risk of developing breast cancer. It’s also one of the factors that requires the most effort to change. But according to one of the UK’s most promising Paralympic athletes, there’s no time like the present.

Funmi’s drive to seize every opportunity was drilled into her from a young age by her mother. Originally from Cardiff, the athlete was encouraged to stay active by making the most of every after-school activity under the sun.

“We tried loads of different sports, and if we tried one and got tired of it or we just didn’t enjoy it as much we’d go straight into another – sometimes we would start one before we even ended one.”

In other words, if you’re struggling to find joy in exercise, you may just need to look further afield. Even Funmi, who displayed early signs of being a versatile athlete, took a little while to identify her passion.

“Basketball was actually one of the last [sports] I tried, but it is probably the first one I took as seriously as I did.”

And it showed. Funmi was only 11 when she joined the MET Archers, and by 2019 she was representing Wales on an international level, positioning herself as one of the players of the tournament at the under-18 European Championships. But Funmi wasn’t aware at the time that this was just the first chapter of her story. On the cusp of adulthood, her life was derailed and forced onto a completely new track when her surgery, and subsequent corrective operations, did not go to plan.

“I was going through a rough space, not knowing what I would do because I was planning on pursuing basketball as a career and now I’m being told I won’t be able to walk properly again.”

This was a blow on all levels for the young athlete, who had seen a future for herself on the court.

“It was a very rough space, mentally, physically, emotionally, even socially.”

But even when faced with such adversity, Funmi carried with her the same openness that had been instilled in her from infancy.

“I was at a point where I just started to take any opportunity I could to just try new things to find out what I do enjoy. That’s when I was introduced to Anthony Hughes, the head of Disability Sport Wales, and my coach Josh Clark.”

These figures were pivotal in steering Funmi in a new direction and proving that she could stay active in unexpected ways.

“I wanted to try loads of different sports as usual, but they started me off at the athletics – they figured out I was good at that. So I carried on, and two years later I made my first Paralympic games.”

Funmi states this casually, as if starting from scratch in shotput and discus and representing Team GB within 24 months is a normal achievement. Below the surface, it’s a lot more complicated.

“I still endure a lot of pain. I’m still in a transition phase of being an able-bodied athlete to a para-athlete and it is tough. I’ve had time to process what’s going on but I haven’t had time to really dive into the mental health side of things, and sort my mental health out.”

Not to mention the more obvious challenges that come with learning an entirely new discipline.

“It has been a long and difficult process. I have represented GB in both sports, but they are completely different. Basketball is very much a team-oriented sport, but athletics is more of an individual sport.”

In fact, over the years Funmi had all but forgotten to think of herself as an individual athlete. Along with this new breathing room there has naturally been an unexpected element of self-discovery. It follows, then, that finding yourself a new sport for our 30-day challenge this Breast Cancer Awareness Month might even teach you more about yourself.

“When I couldn’t do basketball anymore, I didn’t really have an idea of what I personally would want to pursue. But during that process I found loads of different things that I do like. I learnt that I do like my own quiet time as well.”

While Hughes played a fundamental part in helping Funmi to navigate this formative journey, she observes that finding a role model as a child was much harder as a woman of colour.

“Growing up years ago, there was even less diversity in sport and the only person I could really look at as a role model was Serena Williams because she is someone who is like me: a Black woman, not petite and small but quite athletic, and thicker, and just a boss lady in general – let’s be honest.”

No one is going to argue with that, nor are they going to argue with her next statement.

“The fact that I have to look to other sports to find someone who even looks like me or even is like me in any way, that is an issue.”

But despite the underrepresentation in her field, Funmi still has hope.

“I haven’t really had too many role models in athletics per se, but I’ll continue finding them. If not, then I’ll try and be the role model for other people that are like me.”

How does Funmi stay so positive? Firstly, even in the face of all these obstacles, Funmi carries a strong underlying faith that there is a bigger plan for her to prosper. On top of this, her motivation is the same as her passion: staying active.

“When I can I’ll go out for very short walks or drives with my parents. That really helps, just trying to keep active or busy in any way you can, trying to find out new things that you do like in the process.”

It makes sense that this is the same advice she offers to those struggling to begin their own fitness journey. She recommends seizing every chance by scouting your local community.

“If you have an interest in a sport then try and do some research. See if there are any clubs nearby. Take every opportunity that you can.”

If that’s a step too far, then start smaller.

“Start with the small things, like getting up to go for a small walk. Then you can progressively increase the distance or try and walk faster or something like that.”

It’s this perseverence that has pushed Funmi to such lofty heights, whether on the court, track or field.

“One of the main characteristics you need to be an athlete is persistence and determination and consistency.”

But we have to build consistency gradually, she explains. This is why Breast Cancer UK’s 30-day challenge is such a great way to start.

“If you start off small by saying, OK every day for a month, I’m going to go for a walk, that trains that consistency. And eventually that will become easy to you. After 30 days you will probably start to see a bit of a difference. You might see weight loss. You may be more energetic on a day-to-day basis. You’ll start to notice the small things which might motivate you to do more. It’s all a matter of taking one step at a time, and I think 30 days is a is a good start.”

But it’s not just about what you do, or the way that you do it, but when you do it.

“Just start small but also start now. If you’ve got the idea in your head, don’t say OK cool, I’ll start next week. Don’t do that. Just start. Even if you have a space that day, then start that day. If you’re thinking of it and you’re currently doing nothing, or watching TV, you can even put some headphones on, carry your phone and still go for the walk. It’s the best of both worlds.”

“Start as soon as possible. Don’t procrastinate, don’t wait. Just start.”

When it comes to our 30-day challenge, seizing the day could benefit not only your own health but that of people you’ve never even met. In a similar way, Funmi points out that while she has personal reasons for supporting Breast Cancer UK’s cause, her passion for prevention is much bigger than her own story.

“It’s not just me. It’s not just the people around me; breast cancer happens everywhere in the world. If it’s something that’s happening globally and people are able to prevent it, then why not you? With every person that’s trying to prevent it, we are one step closer to prevention.”

Has Funmi’s story inspired you? Play your part and sign up for our 30-Day Challenge to get active and reduce your risk of breast cancer. When you consistently hit your targets, the activity is more likely to become a lasting habit (source). 

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