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Tayla Martin
training her days vary depending on what her body needs, some days she will get physiotherapy or massage during her down time or simply take the time to rest and recover. Her training has not only given her strength and speed, but it has also let her develop discipline, resilience, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks lessons that will serve her well in and out of the water.
She has needed this resilience as her journey hasn’ t been without its low points. Watching her friends go to university while she pursued swimming full-time made her question whether she was making the right choice being a full time athlete. Getting through this tough time she learned that you have to rely on those close to you, share your thoughts and not try to do it all on your own.
“ I have a massive supporting crew behind me, my family supports me financially and emotionally and when I am going through a tough time I can lean on my coaches and peers. Knowing that I have support around me and learning to lean on those around you and confide in them is important.”
She understands the need for balance in her day to day life, and when she isn’ t training or getting treatment, Tayla works casually at Rebel Sport, giving her a mental break from training and allows her to connect with customers— whether they’ re parents looking for gear for their kids or someone new to sports.
One of the personal challenges Tayla has faced is living with alopecia since she was ten months old. She embraces her condition, rarely wearing a wig, but she has acknowledged that her unique appearance may have impacted on her opportunities with gaining sponsors. Never one to let a setback stop her, she is looking to speak to potential businesses to work with her and welcomes people getting in touch to discuss what they can offer.
Tayla doesn’ t just dream big with her swimming, has high hopes for after her competitive swimming career ends as well. She strongly believes swimming is a life skill. With 85 % of Australians living near the beach, she emphasizes the importance of learning to swim and being comfortable in the water. When she retires from competition, she hopes to collaborate with swim schools and eventually open her own, helping to foster the next generation of swimmers.
She trains at Carlile Swimming in Ryde, having previously trained in Blacktown, and is passionate about strengthening New South Wales swimming scene to compete with Queensland’ s dominance in the sport.
Her advice to young swimmers?“ Even if you believe you aren’ t good enough, know that you can always improve. I was always very small growing up and didn’ t make nationals until I was 17. If you love something, keep going. Don’ t stop just because you don’ t achieve it right now. I didn’ t peak at 16, but I’ m peaking now, and that’ s what matters.”
For Tayla Martin, every setback has been a setup for something greater. Her journey is proof that perseverance, passion, and belief in oneself can take an athlete further than they ever imagined.
If Tayla and the team are lucky, they will get an afternoon out of their training and competition to do something fun while they are overseas.
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 118 // APRIL 2025 7