Duologue with Leslie Heaney
Episode: Stronger Than You Think – Paralympian Ali Truwit
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Guest: Ali Truwit, Paralympic Swimming Medalist & Founder, Stronger Than You Think
Host: Leslie Heaney
Episode Overview
In this powerful episode, Leslie Heaney sits down with Ali Truwit, a Yale grad, Division 1 swimmer, Paralympic medalist, shark attack survivor, and founder of Stronger Than You Think. Ali’s journey – from tragedy and trauma to global athletic triumph and philanthropy – takes center stage, as she discusses resilience, the healing power of sports, paying it forward, and her new documentary and foundation. The conversation is deeply personal, authentic, and inspiring, offering actionable hope to anyone facing adversity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Shark Attack & Immediate Aftermath
[04:38] - [10:26]
- Ali recalls the day, two days after her Yale graduation, snorkeling in Turks and Caicos with Sophie, her close friend and former Yale swim captain. Suddenly, she was attacked by a shark, losing her foot and part of her leg.
- Both Ali and Sophie had to swim 75 yards back to their boat, pursued by the shark. Sophie, recently graduated from medical school, heroically applied a tourniquet to stop Ali’s bleeding and saved her life.
- Connection to Nashville: Sophie, who played a life-saving role, is from Nashville, giving special meaning to the film's premiere there.
- Ali was stabilized at a local hospital, then airlifted to Miami, coincidentally finding another Yale teammate, Hannah, working as a medical student in that same trauma hospital.
Quote
"To me, just looking at those moments of two females who saved themselves and showed just unimaginable strength in that moment amidst this terrible thing, to look for light in those moments."
— Ali Truwit [06:22]
2. Processing Trauma & Early Recovery
[10:26] - [14:28]
- Ali’s recovery was both mental and physical. She describes a cycle of grief, resilience, and resolve, emphasizing authenticity about tough moments as well as hope.
- She candidly discusses insecurities about her future: not knowing if she’d ever be active, be able to run again, or feel beautiful.
Quote
"Recovery from any trauma... it's messy. There’s positive mindset, and there’s resilience and grit, but also there’s fears and doubts and worries and tears. It’s filled with all of it."
— Ali Truwit [11:11]
3. Relearning to Swim & The Decision to Go for the Paralympics
[14:28] - [20:56]
- The pool, once her happy place, became a source of trauma. Ali used exposure therapy—with her mother (a cognitive behavioral therapist) guiding her—to re-enter water just six weeks after the attack, starting with a floaty due to injury and trauma.
- The possibility of training for the Paralympics was suggested first by a family friend and then by Paralympian Noelle Lambert, but initially seemed impossible.
- As her confidence and comfort in the water grew, Ali turned a “what if” dream into a goal: to try for the Paris Paralympics less than a year later, a feat requiring relearning how to swim with only one leg—and at Paralympic speeds comparable to her previous NCAA level.
Quote
"For me to medal at the Paralympics, I had to swim roughly the same times I had swum to get recruited Division One to swim at Yale with two legs—this time, with one."
— Ali Truwit [19:54]
4. Qualifying for the Paralympics
[22:20] - [24:42]
- Ali details an accelerated timeline:
- Six weeks post-attack: back in a pool.
- September (3.5 months after): first qualifying meet.
- December: national championships.
- June: Olympic trials.
- Throughout, she balanced physical and emotional recovery.
5. Life as an Amputee & Foundation Origins
[25:22] - [29:53]
- Two months after her attack, Ali was fitted for a prosthetic, learning about staggering costs and limited insurance coverage (one generic prosthetic every 3–5 years; active prosthetics not covered; cost per limb $10,000–$100,000+).
- Motivated by the support she received and the realization that access to good prosthetics should be a right, not a privilege, she launched her foundation, Stronger Than You Think, supporting three pillars:
- Prosthetics for young women and girls in need.
- Promoting the Paralympic movement.
- Water safety and swimming education.
Quote
"Life as an amputee… shouldn't also have to be concerned with how we’re going to afford a part of our body that we need just to live."
— Ali Truwit [26:13]
6. Foundation Impact & Water Safety
[30:57] - [31:53]
- The foundation has already provided 11 prosthetics and funded thousands of hours of swim lessons for kids in underserved communities.
- Ali underscores the staggering statistic that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 0-4; her foundation actively works to reverse this.
7. The ‘Stronger Than You Think’ Documentary
[31:53] - [35:52]
- Produced by Impact Partners (and an almost all-female crew), the film started shooting nine months after the attack, capturing Ali’s journey in real time—uncertain if she’d accomplish her goals.
- Ali chose not to wait until the end of her story but to portray the authentic, messy struggle of recovery and healing.
- The documentary aims to demonstrate that hope and resilience are messy processes, not neat before-and-after arcs.
Quote
“I wanted to film in what I call the mess of now... so I hope that if someone else is in their own challenge... to understand that, like, we can turn trauma into hope, we can rise back up, we can bounce back. But that’s not to say it’s not filled with highs and lows.”
— Ali Truwit [34:36]
8. Competing at the Paris Paralympics
[36:09] - [39:51]
- The healing power and inclusivity of the Paralympic movement: Ali found strength, acceptance, and camaraderie with fellow athletes and emphasized the vital importance of representation.
- Paris 2024: silver medals in two events, setting two American records.
- Ali was surrounded by friends and family, including Sophie and Hannah, in the stands—a triumphant, emotional reunion.
Quote
"Getting to race with the American flag on my cap felt like a thank you to all those heroes who helped me rebuild."
— Ali Truwit [38:40]
9. Why ‘Stronger Than You Think’?
[40:12] - [42:18]
- Inspired by David Goggins’ idea that “we only operate at 40% capacity,” Ali realized through her experience and by witnessing her support network’s actions that humans are capable of far more than we imagine.
- The phrase is a mantra she uses and shares: “You’re stronger than you think.”
10. Running the NYC Marathon & Continuing the Journey
[43:02] - [47:53]
- Running had seemed impossible: 10 days before the attack, Ali and her mom ran a marathon; after her amputation, a first responder told her calmly, “You’re going to run another one.”
- She’s training (with significant discomfort) on a blade prosthetic and running in the NYC Marathon to raise funds for Stronger Than You Think—joined by her parents, Sophie, Hannah, and friends.
- Every step and donation is powered by the knowledge that she’s helping other girls reclaim their own independence and dreams.
Quote
"The people who love me, love me for my heart, not for my left leg... and so I started learning how to run with this blade."
— Ali Truwit [45:21]
11. What’s Next?
[50:38] - [52:44]
- Sold a book proposal; the book will be published in 2027.
- Determined to use the attention and energy around her story to fuel positive change, support other adaptive athletes, and grow the foundation.
- Plans to compete in the LA 2028 Paralympics—her “home game.”
Quote
"Someday, Stronger Than You Think is a household name impacting millions... I want to have more impact, increase education and awareness and funding."
— Ali Truwit [51:07]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Trauma and Resilience:
"Recovery from any trauma... it's messy. There's positive mindset, and there's resilience and grit, but also fears and doubts. It's filled with all of it." [11:11]
-
On Heroism:
"It's amazing to witness her [Sophie’s] heroicism, composure, and selflessness in the middle of pressure... she saved my life." [06:22]
-
On Community Support:
"My town came out... and that support is what took me from the lowest low to the podium at the Paralympics." [28:05]
-
On Representation:
"If you can see it, you can be it... That was my first real understanding at the Paralympics." [37:35]
-
On Self-Doubt and Achievement:
"If someone asked me what would you do if a shark bit your leg off and you're bleeding out, I don't think my answer would be fight the shark and swim to safety... but I have surprised myself." [41:08]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [04:38] Shark attack account and Sophie's heroism
- [10:26] Navigating trauma and the first days of recovery
- [14:28] Deciding to pursue the Paralympics
- [19:54] How fast Paralympians really are – swimming nearly NCAA times with one leg
- [25:22] Being fitted for a prosthetic; the reality of costs and insurance
- [29:53] Three pillars of Stronger Than You Think foundation
- [31:53] Impact and making the documentary, the “mess of now”
- [38:40] Competing at Paris 2024 and the emotional impact of representing Team USA
- [40:12] The origin and power of “Stronger Than You Think”
- [43:02] Decision and training to run the NYC Marathon as an amputee
- [51:07] Book deal, LA 2028 Paralympics, and future vision
How to Support
- Learn more and support Ali’s work at strongerthanyouthink.do
- Donate or sponsor her NYC Marathon run via the foundation’s website
Tone & Takeaways
Ali’s story is rooted in grit, vulnerability, and realism but overflows with hope and actionable optimism. She masterfully balances acknowledging pain and doubt with the refusal to be defined by tragedy. Her mission is both personal and universal: “We are all stronger than we think.” The episode offers direct inspiration and a blueprint for transforming adversity into service and impact.
End of Summary