Focus - Laura Thompson
- Laura Thompson
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 19
International athlete Laura Thompson celebrates her brain's ability to hyperfocus and its impact on her sporting success.
When I stepped into the world of high-performance (HP) sport at the age of 14, I eventually realised that the very traits that made me feel “different” in everyday life were actually my greatest strengths.
Hyperfocus, deep curiosity, an obsession with improvement, and a relentless drive to push boundaries weren’t just useful—they became the foundation of my success.
In an environment where every fraction of a second, every refined skill, every moment of pressure, and every tactical decision mattered, my ability to immerse myself fully in every aspect of my sport—and in understanding myself—became my superpower.
I analysed, questioned, and absorbed knowledge relentlessly, refining my craft in ways others might not have considered. Creativity played a huge role too—thinking outside the box, adapting to challenges, and finding unique ways to gain an edge were all essential parts of my journey.
One of the most defining aspects of neurodivergence in sport is the unique way we interpret and respond to challenges differently.
The ability to endure pain—both physical and emotional—while remaining stoic and motivated is something that has been foundational in my career. Where others might struggle to push through, many neurodivergent athletes develop an extraordinary capacity to tolerate discomfort, to suffer without breaking, and to keep moving forward with unwavering focus.
Emotional sensitivity, often misunderstood as a weakness, can instead provide deep self-awareness, sharpening intuition and turning raw passion into purposeful action.
But perhaps the greatest strength is an unshakable belief in oneself—a relentless drive that carries athletes through the highest triumphs and the lowest setbacks. The combination of deep focus, resilience, and an unwillingness to quit is such an asset in sport.
The interesting thing, though, is that the very strengths that drive success, are also the very things that can present challenges.
The same deep focus can become obsession, the same high pain tolerance can lead to pushing too far or being reckless, and the same self-belief that fuels resilience can sometimes make it hard to step back or celebrate a win (big or small). But that’s a conversation for another day.
To every young person who feels different, who thinks big, who sees the world in a unique way—know this: your strengths are powerful. In the right environment, they can take you further than you ever imagined.
About Laura
As a tandem cycling pilot, she rode at the front of a two-person bike, guiding and powering visually impaired athletes to victory. She won multiple medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, including gold, silver, and bronze, and dominated the UCI Para-cycling Track and Road Championships, winning eight world championship medals between 2014 and 2016.
Now, Laura is focused on making sports accessible for everyone. She leads Āhei, an innovative tool that helps coaches and teachers adapt sports so all players, including those with disabilities, can fully participate. Laura is on a mission to make inclusion a natural part of every playground, gym, and sports field!
