Alana Nichols, American Paralympic athlete. 📸 Alana Nichols
You can do it. This is how.
When you look at Alana Nichols’ accomplishments — three-time gold medalist in basketball and skiing in both the Summer and Winter games, Worlds Adaptive Surfing championship where she placed 7th in a field of all men, 3-time ESPY nominee, NBWA Champ, competitive kayaker, inductee in Warner Brothers “Superman Hall of Heroes” and working mom, it’s almost impossible to believe she does all this without the use of her legs.
Note: This post is part of The New Now: Live Your Best Life conference sponsored in part by Toyota. You’re invited to join the conference, which is free and open to all. Register by clicking the link above and keep reading for more details!
Alana, a Team Toyota athlete, is the definition of “Start Your Impossible,” the campaign slogan from Toyota that frames the company’s sponsorship of both the Olympics and the Paralympics. In Tokyo in 2021 she’ll join the games as a commentator and the following February she’s hopeful to compete in Alpine skiing.
Related: The Venza is Back and Better Than Ever – By Reesa Lewandowski
What’s Her Secret? Ask Her Yourself
It’s amazing to look at Alana’s accomplishments and be inspired. But what drives her will? What charges her spirit? How does she overcome challenges to win medals and take on new opportunities? You can hear this and more from Alana when she joins us our at the upcoming “The New Now: Live Your Best Life” conference on September 22nd.
Alana will join Dedra DeLilli of Toyota and writer Maria Smith who will share the impossible goals the company has undertaken in recent years to prove that together, they can be a positive force on the changing landscape of mobility—not just cars, but how we get around, how we connect, how we accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Related: Driving the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD – by Stacie Connerty
Toyota’s Impossible: Small Steps Lead to Big Change
The recent announcement was a shocker to many: Two new vehicles from Toyota will only be available in hybrid power trains. The Toyota Venza SUV and the Sienna minivan won’t have a gas-only option; they’ll have a gas/battery hybrid engine that will significantly increase fuel economy. In the case of the Venza, fuel economy will double what the previous generation earned—from 21 MPG in the city to 40 MPG. The Sienna is expected to get about 33 MPG in the city, up from 19 MPG.
Related: Greener Living: Making Difference Each and Every Day with Toyota – by Myrah Duque
How Impossible Becomes Possible
Toyota has long worked toward a future of fuel efficiency in a pragmatic way. Buy producing cars and SUVs that people like, that perform seamlessly and that increasingly get better fuel economy, the company has been able to prove the technology works and make it affordable. And honestly, anyone who has had the added stress of having to stop for gas with a minivan load of antsy—or late for school — kids knows the pain of 19 MPG.
Toyota’s sponsorship of the Olympics and Paralympics is pragmatic, too. The company’s mission is to build solutions to the mobility challenges we all face, from autonomous driving that will save lives to shared mobility that will reduce traffic and pollution to family automobiles that give us our freedom to go and see and do. Recognizing the company’s challenges are shared by those of athletes, and that they share values and spirit, support of the games and athletes was a natural.
And, it makes the impossible possible. By supporting hundreds athletes around the world, underwriting the games and by fostering innovation on the field, Toyota helps our athletes to pursue their passions and engage their competitive spirit. In the world of Paralympians the mission is even more compelling. It’s this realm that helps to develop new technologies that allow disabled people to not just be able, but to challenge their own impossible and succeed.
Related: Nothing’s Impossible with Inspiration from Toyota- by Jill Robbins
Where Will Your Impossible Start?
It’s the reality for all of us these days. From pivoting our lives to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic to taking measures to protect our families, our homes and our businesses, it’s been a challenge for all of us. There are the realities: Getting back on track with work, school and rebuilding small businesses destroyed by the pandemic. And then, there are our dreams: we want to travel again, to see our far-flung families, to help our kids experience awe-inspiring things like standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon or surfing in the Pacific Ocean.
But how do you start? What goals should you target? Where do you find inspiration and ideas to get you there? Join us for a conversation with Alana, Dedra and Maria to get started on September 22nd at 1PM ET/12N CT/10AM PT.
“Overcoming the Unexpected” is part of a virtual day of learning and inspiration to not just start your impossible but also, find balance, sanctuary and fun. And, by attending you’ll qualify to win a gift certificate to get your impossible started.
The New Now: Live Your Best Life is free and open to all, and the first 200 attendees to join the full event will receive a special gift in the mail from Toyota and A Girls Guide to Cars. Register here: bit.ly/driveyourbestlife and join the fun on social media by following these hashtags: #DriveYourBestLife #ToyotaHybrid
Related: Living Your Best Life: Achieving the Impossible- by Julie Grimmett
Scotty Reiss
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