Bronte Campbell is an Olympic gold medallist and world champion who made history alongside sister Cate in 2012, when they became the first Australian sisters to compete in the same swimming event at the Olympic Games: the women’s 50m freestyle in London. At the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Bronte broke two games records and won two gold medals – individually in the women’s 100m freestyle, and as part of the women’s 4 x 100m relay team. At the 2015 World Championships, Bronte became the third female in history to win both the 50m and 100m freestyle world titles. She was a member of the 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympic Games world record-breaking 4 x 100m freestyle relay team.
HEY THERE B,
Look at you, teenage B. Training nine times a week, always running tired from pool to school and back to the pool again. Always with wet hair, always forgetting something. Always wishing you were more organised, more put together. If you have nail polish it’s chipped, you probably forgot to shave your legs and your hair is in half dreadlocks from your swimming cap.
There you are wishing to be like the other girls, who straighten and blow-dry their hair, who have manicures and flawless make-up. They look good in spaghetti strap dresses; you think you look like a bodybuilder in a tutu as your shoulders and muscles grow.
Don’t be fooled by what everyone else does. Keep that messy, disorganised part of you and cherish it. That’s the bit that allows you to adapt to change. That’s the bit that schemes its way around, over or under any obstacles that get put in your way. And there will be obstacles, but don’t worry, you’re a hot mess and you’ll find a way through them.
Look at you confusing independence for strength and emotions for weakness. It’s okay to ask for help, it’ll get you where you want to go quicker. It’s okay to lean on friends and cry and say you don’t know the answer. Here’s the secret: no one knows the answer. We’re all in this together, this hot soup of growing up. And you never get out of it. You’ll never feel like you’re finished. You’re always going to be an artwork in progress and that’s okay and that’s beautiful because it gives you room to grow bigger than you could imagine.
And that girl who couldn’t fit into those tiny dresses? It’s okay, your dreams are bigger than dresses. The places you’re about to go, the friends you’re about to make. Those friends! Stick by the ones who make you shine; they’ll stay with you for life. Remember, those friends want to help you, it’s okay to open up and let them in. They already see you; they already love you. And anyone who asks you to dim your light, or be less, or tells you your dreams are unrealistic – don’t pay them any attention. You’ve got bigger and better things coming your way.
You will be faced with doubt. But don’t worry about that either. Doubt is very normal. Just figure out what you’re going to do with it and listen to what it’s trying to tell you. One doubt doesn’t stop all belief, you’re single-minded and determined, you’ll find a way through.
One last bit of advice, when you’re 15 you’re going to want to get a pixie cut. Please reassess, it takes years and years for our hair to grow back out. Consider a long bob instead, I promise we look cute with that.
ALL MY LOVE,
BRONTE
Swimming sensations (and sisters!) Bronte and Cate Campbell have released their first book, Sister Secrets, featuring personal stories of their journey to greatness: the triumph, defeat, highs, lows… And how it all shaped their relationship with each other and with swimming. Sister Secrets is published by Allen & Unwin, RRP $24.99, and is available in bookstores and online now.
