Discovering Olympic Dreams

Growing up watching her older brother complete his Award sparked the competitive nature in Madison, and led her to tackle the Award for herself.

From classical voice studies, to organizing school events, improving her dance and rowing abilities, multiple overseas service trips, and various outdoor adventures including winter camping and a rowing expedition, Madison’s Award experience was full of a wide variety of experiences that pushed her to try new things. “It got me outside, active, and doing something I wouldn’t normally do” she says.

During Madison’s Silver Award she went to Belize and spent time in schools with young kids who were just having fun and loving being outside. “The Award taught me to keep things in perspective and to always try to have fun as well.”

Madison’s rowing journey began around the same time that she started her Bronze Award. It was a couple years later when she made the CanAmMex team, the team a step below the junior national team, that she made a pact with herself to aim even higher. By the time she reached her 3rd year of University, she made the Canadian U23 team and even received a Gold medal, setting a U23 world record time. It was in those moments that she realized the drive to aim for the Olympics.

“The Award forced me at a young age to make a plan and stick to it and I think it really helped build my confidence” she says. “It helped me be uncomfortable and confident that it is okay to be uncomfortable.”

Finding confidence in discomfort helped her aim high and challenge herself to compete in the Olympics. Her dream turned into a reality in the summer of 2021 when she competed on the national Women’s Rowing team in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, taking home the Gold medal.

She says that goal setting and creating small milestones were key in helping her achieve her Olympic dreams.

“It’s hard to achieve your dreams, and you need to surround yourself with people who truly believe in you to succeed.”

Madison

When faced with naysayers she turned their doubt into fuel to keep her going and prove them wrong. She encourages other young people to surround themselves with individuals who believe in you and keep them close, and most importantly, to truly believe in your own potential.

“I don’t think that I was naturally talented, or super fit. But I’d say hard work, staying positive, and having small goals along the way was really important” she says. “[The Award] has really pushed me outside of all my comfort zones…sport really goes along with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award because it teaches you a lot of those same things that [the Award] taught me.”

After returning home from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she is wrapping up her Gold Award and is already on to the next race. In completing all 3 levels of the Award, she hopes to inspire other young people across Canada and around the world to also do so.

We can’t wait to see what the future brings for Madison!

Women’s Eight Olympic Champions – June 29th, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Madison Mailey, pictured 4th from the right, with her incredible crew!

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