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Alke Stopforth, a Sport and Exercise Science student, shares her journey from competitive swimming to coaching and her aspirations to help others discover their full potential through psychology and mindfulness. Join her as she explores the world of freediving and seeks to make a positive impact on people's physical and mental well-being.
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Elevator Pitch AlkeStopforth 2019
Hi, I’m Alke Stopforth. I’m currently a Second year, Sport and Exercise Science Student at Roehampton University. I’m originally form South Africa and moved to the UK in 2017 in pursuits of gaining knowledge and in a field that has been of interest to me basically all my life (Physiology, Biomechanics and Psychology via Swimming). Swimming has been a part of my life since the age of 5 and has been part of my career since 2010. In 2015 I started doing Life Saving competitively and to my surprise, managed to be chosen to represent South Africa at the Worlds Life Saving Championships, after I won a Gold medal at the South African Life Saving Championships. Over the course of time my interests have grown more distinctively towards psychology, the human mind and emotions as well as the mind body connection…
Stingrays Swimming club 2010 -2015 I have been the head swimming coach of two different Competitive swimming clubs since 2010. I started coaching at Stingrays Swimming club in 2010 where I’ve managed to help develop some of the countries top youth athletes/swimmers in their age groups. Our club had the number 1 ranking for best performing swimmers in the Province. Pecanwood College 2015-2016 I moved to Pecanwood College in April of 2015 in pursuits of expanding my horizons. I became the head swimming coach of Pecanwood aquatics, I started studying Teaching for higher grade students and taught Life Orientation as part of building up teaching experience. I was also one of 4 Boarding Mistresses who took care of girls living in the school’s boarding house. I was also responsible for arranging and assisting in organising charity events, school outings, team building events and I coached the under 16’s Netball team. Travelled 2016-2017 At the end of 2016 I decided to move to London to study Sport and Exercise Science. I knew in order for me to open up avenues for my future I had to get a proper degree and step out of South Africa. I took a sabbatical and Solo back packed South East Asia for 6 months before taking the big leap in August of 2017.
DIVING into AND out of THINGS I thrive on things that challenge me mentally and physically. In 2015 I started working my way up the scale to become an A-license Sky diver and an Advanced Scuba diver. (They are the complete opposites of each other) One makes you thrilled and scared but excited at the same time and the other makes you feel calm and tranquil. However both put me in the state of flow. Something I’ve been chasing ever since. But then, I discovered something new… Freediving!!! It has the balancing element of mind over matter with a pinch of thrill because it’s testing your belief in your capabilities but at the same time challenges you to REMAIN CALM AT ALL TIMES. There’s no time or space for doubt and fear, only “in-the-moment-ness”
I am… JUST DOING IT I am doing whatever I need to, -To get through my degree -Work my “full” 20 hours I’m allowed to due to visa restrictions -Building up as much work experience as possible -Further my education in psychology and mindfulness on Udemey in my spare time AND Remember to have fun whilst doing all I can to become a better version of myself every day. Life is a marathon after all.
Forget about it all and go live in a Hippy village in the mountains of Pai in North Thailand… • (Jokes) • I would love to be working n a field where I have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, be that physically or mentally. • I would love to be working in the Psychology/Mindfullness/Meditation field helping people discover their most authentic selves through releasing old limiting beliefs and developing more empowering beliefs and habits that would make them feel more fulfilled. • I would love to be able to travel the world with the work I do and have the UK as a base. As I have found in my short time living here, London (or my perception of it) can give you anything you are looking for, you just have to go out and find it. • I would love to work with people to help them develop self confidence and to let go of historic stigmas on what is expected of a man or a women in order “to be”. We can be whomever we wish to be if we are willing to let go of limiting beliefs that have been passed on for generations. • I would love to assist in making a positive change for a better future in whatever shape or form that may be in. • I would love to help raise human consciousness/awareness.
To be happy and to have high levels of Self-confidence and Belief. • I would have to get qualified to be a Life coach/Psychologist/CBT practitioner/Counsellor and start building up a reputation. • I will need to build my own personal brand.In order for me to achieve my goals have to practice what I preach. I have to become the “brand” I am trying to “sell”. • I will have to build up strong lasting relationships with the people I network with. One person can make a change, but it will take much longer than many people who work together to help each other, with the same goal in mind. • I have to be open and flexibly for change (because we never know what the future holds, and the only constant is change) • I will constantly have to re-adjust my goals and future plans to make sure I stay on track on becoming the best version of myself.
