What's your 'why'? Sophie Pascoe reveals what drives her

'What's your why?'

Knowing the answer could help you succeed.  Just look at Sophie Pascoe.

New Zealand's most successful Paralympian discovered her 'why', or what truly drives her,  a long time ago. She's now working to motivate others.

"I believe I can be an inspiration to the challenges athletes face rather than the disability," she says.

At just 23, Pascoe's achievements and attitude have helped Paralympic sports become mainstream.

Her story is far from ordinary. It's tragedy turned to triumph, a dad and daughter tale that'll leave you reaching for the tissues.  

Now she's sharing it with the nation in a powerful new ad campaign for Rebel Sport that challenges people to discover what drives them.

Watch the ad below.

"For me, being a world champion has helped define me rather than letting my disability define me," she says.

"I want to be classed as Sophie Pascoe the swimmer and not Sophie Pascoe who has a disability."

Pascoe's disability is the result of a terrible childhood accident when her father ran her over with a lawnmower.

In the behind-the-scenes footage above, for the 'What's Your Why' campaign, Pascoe explains how her phenomenal success in Rio helped her father deal with the guilt.

"It was a moment of closure for us... taking us right back to the accident... now knowing that his daughter's a world champion."

The campaign, filmed by Ogilvy, features the voice of  world renowned motivational speaker Eric Thomas.

Eric Thomas (Supplied)
Eric Thomas (Supplied)

While it was the German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche who once said, "He who has a why can endure any how," Thomas turned it into a battle cry.

He dropped out of high school, was homeless and faced plenty of other adversities before finding his calling.

Today, Thomas tours the world, helping people realise their full potential. His YouTube channel has had millions of views.

For Rebel Sport, Thomas was a natural choice to voice the 'What's Your Why' campaign and Pascoe an obvious star.

"She is an inspiration to all sportspeople and epitomises what can be achieved when you have a powerful 'why'," says Rod Duke, group managing director.

He hopes the new campaign will motivate others to find out their 'why'.

This article has been created by Newshub Connect for Rebel Sport.