Navigation

You are here:
  • Home
  • Paralympics GB

Breaking boundaries with ParalympicsGB


A partnership with purpose

Since 2022, we’ve been on a mission to strengthen the exceptional skill and determination of our Paralympians. From funding athletes to keeping them feeling happy and healthy, we’re helping them reach the top of their game.

But more than that, we’re here to inspire a nation of children and adults of all abilities. Pushing the idea of what’s possible further every single day, this includes supporting people on their own journeys. Helping them be healthy – emotionally and physically – on their way to personal glory.

ParalympicsGB and Bupa logo

Picture of Health

In partnership with ParalympicsGB, we've launched Picture of Health to start a conversation about what health is, and what it can be. World-renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz, captures a series of dynamic photos that showcase the health stories of six Paralympic and Para athletes.  

View transcript

Health.

What does it look like to you?

Bupa believes there's no one way to see health.

A million perspectives, each as unique as the beat of your heart.

We're inviting you to see health differently with Bupa Picture of Health.

We started in Paris with one iconic photographer and six elite athletes, each with extraordinary stories.

My Picture of Health is energy.

For me, health is strength.

Health is independence.

My Picture of Health is tranquillity.

Now we're going worldwide with your Pictures of Health.

Celebrating everyday moments that matter, move, challenge, inspire.

What does health look like to you?

Share your Picture of Health today.

My Picture of Health is confidence.

What's yours?

Picture of Health

Heath is as individual as the beat of your heart. See what health looks like for different people in our latest campaign, Picture of Health. Celebrating everyday moments that matter. What does health look like to you?

Health.

What does it look like to you?

Bupa believes there's no one way to see health.

A million perspectives, each as unique as the beat of your heart.

We're inviting you to see health differently with Bupa Picture of Health.

We started in Paris with one iconic photographer and six elite athletes, each with extraordinary stories.

My Picture of Health is energy.

For me, health is strength.

Health is independence.

My Picture of Health is tranquillity.

Now we're going worldwide with your Pictures of Health.

Celebrating everyday moments that matter, move, challenge, inspire.

What does health look like to you?

Share your Picture of Health today.

My Picture of Health is confidence.

What's yours?

View transcript

Myself and my fellow paralympic athletes We feel, when we put that tracksuit on, it’s an opportunity to engage, inspire, liberate the next generation of disabled people.

Throughout my journey to being an elite Paralympian, obviously it’s about being fast and strong, and good at your sport but there’s a lot of different layers to it.

My health, because it's the main thing for me.

I can't, or I don't want, to ever get hurt.

So I need to find a balance between sport and health.

I’m here in Paris, I’ve got a great opportunity to have my portrait taken by one of the best, if not the best, in the business.

For me, being here with Bupa is a great joy and adventure.

When I got the invitation to be a part of the Bupa campaign A Picture of Health it was something I was incredibly honoured to be selected for but also incredibly excited to see what sort of shoot we were going to do.

Annie is somebody that’s obviously world renowned in her craft, and to work with somebody that is the best at what they do, for me is something that is a great learning opportunity.

Twelve years ago, I had an accident and I lost my feet.

My life has completely changed since then.

Because of that, I began to see life in a different way.

In a much more positive way.

I had a second chance.

I believed that something always comes to an end for a new story to begin.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and this is how my adventure in sports for disabled people began.

Just being able to be in a good mood, being able to influence others positively is also a part of health.

Being able to encourage other people to achieve greatness is one of my biggest goals.

For me, health is not only being good physically, but also being good mentally.

I feel that I'm contributing to making Paralympic sport more visible.

I’m very excited to be part of the Bupa Picture of Health campaign, just arriving here in Paris and seeing all the international athletes, everyone had lots of good energy so it showed me that I was in the right place.

It’s just coming together as a team to work towards one goal and to be able to promote good health and good energy.

It is so amazing that it takes my breath away.

I cannot express my happiness.

I hope I don't faint from happiness once I meet her in person.

Hello.

No no stop it.

Stop it.

Just look off camera though.

I think it’s great.

Nice, really good, really good.

My picture of health is independence, and I believe that through health and wellbeing you’re able to do all the things you want to do and subsequently you’re independent in your own desires to do whatever you want.

My picture of health is to believe in myself, to believe that if I can think about it, I can do it.

Having that confidence, feeling powerful, is what's helped me face many challenges in my life.

Having that confidence in myself makes me feel healthy, especially emotionally and psychologically.

My picture of health is determination.

Having a disability has barriers and obstacles but I feel that through the power of sport I’ve really been able to turn that around into a positive.

Determination is important because everybody has a gift in life, and it’s about having that right environment and having the right time for that opportunity to shine.

Picture of Health means strength to me.

Why?

Because health means life for me.

Without health, life is grey, boring, devoid of all colour.

It is the most important thing.

Because no money can buy health.

My picture of health is tranquillity.

To be able to enjoy life, to be fully calm knowing that everything in your body is fine, in your body and mind.

That's why I think "good health" is the phrase that includes all that, being calm, at peace with yourself.

My picture of health is energy.

If someone is in good health, they would tend to promote the good health habits.

If you have good energy you’re feeling buzzy, you’re feeling happy.

You’re likely to spread that to whoever you talk to.

One person gives positive energy onto someone else, next thing you know next thing you know, they’re spreading it onto someone else.

The more people that can spread that energy, the better it is for our world.

I think it’s the best photograph for me.

I feel very good and excited and happy.

Very happy.

Thank you Annie, thank you for all the team.

Picture of Health, behind the scenes 

Let's go behind the lens on Picture of Health with our six para-athletes from Australia, Spain, Poland, Chile, Mexico and the UK. Photographer, Annie Leibovitz, captures dynamic photos, showcasing their health stories.

Myself and my fellow paralympic athletes We feel, when we put that tracksuit on, it’s an opportunity to engage, inspire, liberate the next generation of disabled people.

Throughout my journey to being an elite Paralympian, obviously it’s about being fast and strong, and good at your sport but there’s a lot of different layers to it.

My health, because it's the main thing for me.

I can't, or I don't want, to ever get hurt.

So I need to find a balance between sport and health.

I’m here in Paris, I’ve got a great opportunity to have my portrait taken by one of the best, if not the best, in the business.

For me, being here with Bupa is a great joy and adventure.

When I got the invitation to be a part of the Bupa campaign A Picture of Health it was something I was incredibly honoured to be selected for but also incredibly excited to see what sort of shoot we were going to do.

Annie is somebody that’s obviously world renowned in her craft, and to work with somebody that is the best at what they do, for me is something that is a great learning opportunity.

Twelve years ago, I had an accident and I lost my feet.

My life has completely changed since then.

Because of that, I began to see life in a different way.

In a much more positive way.

I had a second chance.

I believed that something always comes to an end for a new story to begin.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and this is how my adventure in sports for disabled people began.

Just being able to be in a good mood, being able to influence others positively is also a part of health.

Being able to encourage other people to achieve greatness is one of my biggest goals.

For me, health is not only being good physically, but also being good mentally.

I feel that I'm contributing to making Paralympic sport more visible.

I’m very excited to be part of the Bupa Picture of Health campaign, just arriving here in Paris and seeing all the international athletes, everyone had lots of good energy so it showed me that I was in the right place.

It’s just coming together as a team to work towards one goal and to be able to promote good health and good energy.

It is so amazing that it takes my breath away.

I cannot express my happiness.

I hope I don't faint from happiness once I meet her in person.

Hello.

No no stop it.

Stop it.

Just look off camera though.

I think it’s great.

Nice, really good, really good.

My picture of health is independence, and I believe that through health and wellbeing you’re able to do all the things you want to do and subsequently you’re independent in your own desires to do whatever you want.

My picture of health is to believe in myself, to believe that if I can think about it, I can do it.

Having that confidence, feeling powerful, is what's helped me face many challenges in my life.

Having that confidence in myself makes me feel healthy, especially emotionally and psychologically.

My picture of health is determination.

Having a disability has barriers and obstacles but I feel that through the power of sport I’ve really been able to turn that around into a positive.

Determination is important because everybody has a gift in life, and it’s about having that right environment and having the right time for that opportunity to shine.

Picture of Health means strength to me.

Why?

Because health means life for me.

Without health, life is grey, boring, devoid of all colour.

It is the most important thing.

Because no money can buy health.

My picture of health is tranquillity.

To be able to enjoy life, to be fully calm knowing that everything in your body is fine, in your body and mind.

That's why I think "good health" is the phrase that includes all that, being calm, at peace with yourself.

My picture of health is energy.

If someone is in good health, they would tend to promote the good health habits.

If you have good energy you’re feeling buzzy, you’re feeling happy.

You’re likely to spread that to whoever you talk to.

One person gives positive energy onto someone else, next thing you know next thing you know, they’re spreading it onto someone else.

The more people that can spread that energy, the better it is for our world.

I think it’s the best photograph for me.

I feel very good and excited and happy.

Very happy.

Thank you Annie, thank you for all the team.

View transcript
Two people
share a burning desire
to take control of their physical
and mental wellbeing over the next year
and we're here to support
and cheer them on.
Welcome back to Team Health.
I'm Richard Whitehead,
and today I'm catching up with
Julie in London
who's on her Team Health journey
with Bupa's support.
My big goal is to get fit,
get healthier.
And also seeing how
I can support her.
Clearly, you're looking radiant.
You’re looking
like you’ve made those improvements.
Yeah, last week,
I had my health check with Bupa.
It was really good.
Is this your first time with us? - It is!
So you go in and you get introduced
and they do your blood tests,
height and weight, And then I saw a doctor.
My name is James, the lead physician.
And certainly
because I know you're at the age
where you might be going through the menopause,
and that can really affect your weight and...
Everything.
Other things....
Do you want to talk to me about that?
I've got brain fog.
I used to be able to remember anything.
Libido’s, obviously gone to the floor.
You know, it is a bit of a female battle
because I'm menopausal stage.
I've dieted I've done
health and weight doesn't seem to move.
Very, very hard to lose
weight around the menopause
just with the change in the hormones.
And I find that
probably the hardest thing. Yeah, I mean
It can be so, so hard.
Yeah,
Kind of the overarching thing
to lose weight
is to have a calorie deficit.
So, to be using more calories in a day
than your taking into your body.
Yeah.
So, here are some simple tips I can offer you
for managing your weight
during menopause.
So often it's a lot of portion control -
a wrap rather than a sandwich
because that's going to have fewer calories in it
And having that conversation at home saying,
I'm really trying to do this.
Can we maybe look at...
They have been very good.
The second one I'd say, exercise is very, very good.
I feel better for doing the gym and things definitely
without a doubt, feel better about that.
Even if you lose a couple of pounds here.
that is excellent.
But I have to say, I have lost half a stone, so that’s...
Well done!
It's just beginning to show
and I’m the kind of person that
I need to see some results,
and this has been a big booster now.
Every day is a learning experience
and every day is a new Julie.
Yeah, it was brilliant
I've got some things to work on
which I need your help for.
So I had to go on a bike -
I had to go on a Watt bike
a Watt what?
a Watt bike
and he told me not to be scared.
Okay,
why would you be scared of the Watt bike then?
I don't know, I didn’t know ‘Watt’ it was.
Don't feel like
you are having to force, this new form of you.
You've got an end goal
of every day being better
but treat it as every day
and don't feel that you
you have to really hurry that journey.
Yeah.
Myself as a mentor but also Team Health
are proud of you and what you're doing so...
Bupa has been brilliant.
So, keep on that.

We are #TeamHealth

In partnership with ParalympicsGB, our #TeamHealth series follows two people on very different, but equally important health journeys. Join proud mum, Julie, and thriving para-athlete, Emmanuel, as they embrace the importance of being a team and strive to achieve their personal bests over the next year. 


In episode four, hear from Emmanuel as he visualises success for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris with his Team Health mentor, Richard Whitehead MBE. .

See more from #TeamHealth
Two people
share a burning desire
to take control of their physical
and mental wellbeing over the next year
and we're here to support
and cheer them on.
Welcome back to Team Health.
I'm Richard Whitehead,
and today I'm catching up with
Julie in London
who's on her Team Health journey
with Bupa's support.
My big goal is to get fit,
get healthier.
And also seeing how
I can support her.
Clearly, you're looking radiant.
You’re looking
like you’ve made those improvements.
Yeah, last week,
I had my health check with Bupa.
It was really good.
Is this your first time with us? - It is!
So you go in and you get introduced
and they do your blood tests,
height and weight, And then I saw a doctor.
My name is James, the lead physician.
And certainly
because I know you're at the age
where you might be going through the menopause,
and that can really affect your weight and...
Everything.
Other things....
Do you want to talk to me about that?
I've got brain fog.
I used to be able to remember anything.
Libido’s, obviously gone to the floor.
You know, it is a bit of a female battle
because I'm menopausal stage.
I've dieted I've done
health and weight doesn't seem to move.
Very, very hard to lose
weight around the menopause
just with the change in the hormones.
And I find that
probably the hardest thing. Yeah, I mean
It can be so, so hard.
Yeah,
Kind of the overarching thing
to lose weight
is to have a calorie deficit.
So, to be using more calories in a day
than your taking into your body.
Yeah.
So, here are some simple tips I can offer you
for managing your weight
during menopause.
So often it's a lot of portion control -
a wrap rather than a sandwich
because that's going to have fewer calories in it
And having that conversation at home saying,
I'm really trying to do this.
Can we maybe look at...
They have been very good.
The second one I'd say, exercise is very, very good.
I feel better for doing the gym and things definitely
without a doubt, feel better about that.
Even if you lose a couple of pounds here.
that is excellent.
But I have to say, I have lost half a stone, so that’s...
Well done!
It's just beginning to show
and I’m the kind of person that
I need to see some results,
and this has been a big booster now.
Every day is a learning experience
and every day is a new Julie.
Yeah, it was brilliant
I've got some things to work on
which I need your help for.
So I had to go on a bike -
I had to go on a Watt bike
a Watt what?
a Watt bike
and he told me not to be scared.
Okay,
why would you be scared of the Watt bike then?
I don't know, I didn’t know ‘Watt’ it was.
Don't feel like
you are having to force, this new form of you.
You've got an end goal
of every day being better
but treat it as every day
and don't feel that you
you have to really hurry that journey.
Yeah.
Myself as a mentor but also Team Health
are proud of you and what you're doing so...
Bupa has been brilliant.
So, keep on that.
View transcript

Are you going to do the snap?

Action!

Hi, I'm Ella, and I'm nine years old, Anya - and I'm six.

He has black hair.

He's a fencer.

So the other way around Yeah.

Perfect.

Very kind.

Joyful.

Class of Paralympics GB Mine.

As you know, my name's Ella and my name's Anya.

And we’re gonna ask you a few questions If you don't mind?

Great.

Thank you.

We met earlier but my name's Oliver Lam-Watson I’m a Paralympic wheelchair fencer.

And I'm hoping that your questions aren't too hard and you're not going to grill me too much!

But, yeah, I'm excited.

Let's go!

Do you have any siblings?

Yes, I do.

I've got one brother and two sisters, but they're all older than me, so I'm the youngest.

Did they ever annoy you when you were younger?

Are they going to watch this?

A little bit, maybe.

Anya is my sister.

She talks a lot and she gets up quite early.

Anya.

How old were you when you started fencing?

I actually started fencing really late.

I started after university at 25.

Do you support a football team?

I don't actually watch a lot of sport.

Like I'm not actually a big sports person.

Maybe Arsenal.

Manchester?

Leeds?

Newcastle - is the best team!

They’re one of my favorite teams!

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food I would have to say is my mum's tuna pasta Jalapeños in it - so it’s a little bit spicy and it was absolutely wonderful it was like my comfort meal What about you guys - what do you like?

Chilli wraps!

Chilli wraps?

Like as in - chilli con carne?

It’s chilli, rice.

in a wrap!

Did you like sports when you were younger?

I think sport when I was younger because of my leg and my disability had a great way of.

highlighting my differences and kind of showcasing what I couldn't do compared to some of the other kids.

I was always picked last for the football team and I really hated sport for that reason and I think now it's become a way of me sort of taking back control of my body and my leg again and kind of redefining what's possible living with a disability So, sport’s really given me a lot and it’s changed my life massively.

Have you guys got any more questions for me?

Class of ParalympicsGB

Our latest class of ParalympicsGB episode sees retired retired ParalympicsGB Footballer, Martin Sinclair, in the hot seat. Martin takes questions from 8-year-old Cooper and 10-year-old Jasper, who came very prepared!

Watch the siblings quiz Martin on all things football, family and food as they learn more about his journey through sport and disability.

See more from Class of ParalympicsGB

Are you going to do the snap?

Action!

Hi, I'm Ella, and I'm nine years old, Anya - and I'm six.

He has black hair.

He's a fencer.

So the other way around Yeah.

Perfect.

Very kind.

Joyful.

Class of Paralympics GB Mine.

As you know, my name's Ella and my name's Anya.

And we’re gonna ask you a few questions If you don't mind?

Great.

Thank you.

We met earlier but my name's Oliver Lam-Watson I’m a Paralympic wheelchair fencer.

And I'm hoping that your questions aren't too hard and you're not going to grill me too much!

But, yeah, I'm excited.

Let's go!

Do you have any siblings?

Yes, I do.

I've got one brother and two sisters, but they're all older than me, so I'm the youngest.

Did they ever annoy you when you were younger?

Are they going to watch this?

A little bit, maybe.

Anya is my sister.

She talks a lot and she gets up quite early.

Anya.

How old were you when you started fencing?

I actually started fencing really late.

I started after university at 25.

Do you support a football team?

I don't actually watch a lot of sport.

Like I'm not actually a big sports person.

Maybe Arsenal.

Manchester?

Leeds?

Newcastle - is the best team!

They’re one of my favorite teams!

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food I would have to say is my mum's tuna pasta Jalapeños in it - so it’s a little bit spicy and it was absolutely wonderful it was like my comfort meal What about you guys - what do you like?

Chilli wraps!

Chilli wraps?

Like as in - chilli con carne?

It’s chilli, rice.

in a wrap!

Did you like sports when you were younger?

I think sport when I was younger because of my leg and my disability had a great way of.

highlighting my differences and kind of showcasing what I couldn't do compared to some of the other kids.

I was always picked last for the football team and I really hated sport for that reason and I think now it's become a way of me sort of taking back control of my body and my leg again and kind of redefining what's possible living with a disability So, sport’s really given me a lot and it’s changed my life massively.

Have you guys got any more questions for me?

Working together to champion inclusive workplaces

As the Official Healthcare Partner of ParalympicsGB, we're proud to be working together to make workplaces more inclusive for disabled people.

We want to create more opportunities for businesses to play their part to champion change.

Join us and get involved

Start your own journey

Our health experts and ParalympicsGB athletes are here to help support your journey to a healthier, happier you.

Exercise & fitness

Nutrition – athletes open up

26 July 2021

Read more

Exercise & fitness

Five exercises for your mental health

12 February 2019

Read more

Exercise & fitness

How to lose belly fat

11 August 2022

Read more

Exercise & fitness

10 water-rich foods to keep you hydrated

05 May 2021

Read more
Content is loading