Life is full of challenges. Whether you’re navigating personal obstacles or striving to achieve your goals, how you approach adversity can make all the difference. At AFG Next 2024, Tristan Knowles a Paralympian, professional athlete, and Advice Manager at AIA Financial Wellbeing shared some powerful insights from his journey. His story is a reminder that resilience, purpose, and the right mindset can help us overcome even the toughest obstacles.
Here are five takeaway that can empower your success:
Defy the odds
Tristan’s journey proves that even when the odds seem stacked against you, perseverance can lead to incredible outcomes. Faced with life-threatening cancer and the loss of his leg, he didn’t let those challenges define him. Instead, he focused on what he could achieve. In your own life, remember that obstacles are often opportunities in disguise. By staying determined and adaptable, you can create pathways to success.
The power of purpose
Clarity of purpose is a game-changer. For Tristan, his goals, whether in sport or financial advice, kept him motivated and focused. Think about your “why.” What drives you to succeed? As a broker, your purpose might be helping clients achieve life-changing goals, like buying their first home or building long-term wealth. Anchoring yourself in that purpose can guide your decisions and keep you inspired, even during challenging times.
Mindset matters
Adopting a “hunter” mentality—where you’re always seeking growth and striving to be better—can set you apart. Tristan emphasised that success can make us complacent, but the hunger to keep improving leads to lasting achievement. For brokers, this means embracing continuous learning, staying ahead of industry trends, and always seeking ways to deliver greater value to clients.
It’s a privilege to make an impact
In both his career and sport, Tristan recognised the privilege of making a meaningful impact. As a broker, you play a vital role in helping clients realise their dreams. That responsibility isn’t just about transactions—it’s about changing lives. Protecting your clients and helping them prepare for the unexpected ensures your service leaves a lasting legacy.
Make the most of every opportunity
Tristan’s final message was a poignant reminder: life is precious, and the time to act is now. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you and the steps you’re taking to achieve it. Are your goals clear? Are you focusing your energy on the things that bring you joy and fulfilment?
Success isn’t just about results—it’s about the journey. Love what you do, work hard, and surround yourself with people who support and inspire you. By embracing these lessons, you’ll not only navigate challenges with confidence but also create a lasting impact on the lives you touch.
Tristan Knowles, AIA Ambassador
Tristan is one of the world’s best wheelchair basketball players, having won Paralympic Gold and become a back-to-back world champion where he now captains the Australian Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team having returned from his 6th Paralympic Games in Paris.
He has taken the lessons that someone can only learn from facing death, along with those acquired from an elite sports career spanning over 20 years, and now also leads of a team of financial advice professionals at AIA Financial Wellbeing.
