Danny Crates: "I Looked Down and One Arm Was on My Lap" – When It’s Not About Winning, But Being Your Best.

Tell us what you like or dislike about this episode!! Be honest, we don't bite! This one’s huge. We’ve got Danny Crates on the pod – Paralympic gold medalist, world champion, and an all-around legend who’s turned his life story into a masterclass on resilience and determination. If you need inspiration, this episode is for you. Danny breaks down the moment everything changed – a freak accident that cost him his arm. Instead of letting that be the end, it became the start of something bigger. From hospital days full of humor to stepping onto the rugby field with one arm, Danny’s story is all about thriving through adversity. He even takes us through training for the Paralympics, going from bronze in Sydney to gold in Athens. This guy doesn’t just compete – he dominates, and his mindset is something we can all learn from.  But it’s not just about medals. Danny opens up about life after sport – transitioning into broadcasting, becoming a top keynote speaker, and applying his “5 Pillars of Performance” to business and everyday life. He’s got this amazing ability to connect elite athletics to high performance in any field.  We also dive into the mental side – what separates good athletes from great ones and the mental barriers that hold people back. Whether you’re an athlete, business owner, or just looking to level up, Danny’s story will light a fire under you. Hit play and get ready to feel fired up. You don’t want to miss this one. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:11 - The Accident 6:40 - Hospital 11:06 - Friendly Jokes in the Hospital 14:57 - Your Life and Future After the Accident - Would You Change Anything? 21:07 - Scuba Diving Before and After the Accident 25:10 - Specialist Sports Centres and Coaches 28:32 - Playing Rugby with One Arm 32:37 - World Championships 1998-2000 34:42 - Certain Disabilities for Paralympics? 36:43 - Bronze at Sydney 39:34 - Olympics and Paralympics Time Differences 41:04 - Delivering Keynote Speeches as a Side hustle Job 43:49 - Funding Reviews After Events 45:47 - 400m vs 800m 48:53 - From Sydney to Athens 56:29 - Focus During Running 59:46 - Beijing World Title in 2006 01:07:53 - Last Races Before Retirement in 2009 01:13:37 - Going into Broadcasting After Athletics 01:19:39 - Transferable Skills in Sports 01:23:23 - 5 Pillars of Performance 01:24 — Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR MORE! — Website Instagram TikTok Facebook Twitter LinkedIn — LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Spotify Apple — Who Is Matt Haycox? - Click for BADASS Trailer As an entrepreneur, investor, funding expert and mentor who has been building and growing businesses for both myself and my clients for more than 20 years, my fundamental principles are suitable for all industries and businesses of all stages and size. I’m constantly involved in funding and advising multiple business ventures and successful entrepreneurs. My goal is to help YOU achieve YOUR financial success! I know how to spot and nurture great business opportunities and as someone who has ‘been there and got the t-shirt’ many times, overall strategies and advice are honest, tangible and grounded in reality.