Atiba Wade saw inspiration at a new level when he begam working with the Team Army’s Recovery Care Program — the Wounded Warriors.
But his inspiration reached even higher levels last week coaching Team USA at the Invictus Games in The Hague.
“When you are dealing with the highest level of athlete in our country and being asked to lead them, it is very humbling. The experience itself is like no other in terms of swimming,” Atiba Wade told Swimming World. “The sense of camaraderie really transcends any level of competition. We are there to compete, but it transcends everything.
Atiba Wade with Prince Harry. Photo Courtesy: Atiba Wade
“We are Team USA but when you get there, you definitely realize you are Team Invictus.”
The Invictus Games are designed for servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries. They were founded in 2013 by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. Invictus means “unconquered” and embodies the fighting spirit of the Games and its participants.
“You gain a lot of perspective on the word ‘can’t.’ The definition of that word got a lot smaller, and I take that and apply it to every aspect of my life,” Wade said.
It is a Paralympic-style competition based on the lineup offered in a variety of sports.
Swimming had five short-course meter events: 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay.
Team USA had 32 swimmers compete and won several gold medals, including multiple 1-2-3 finishes.
“How tremendously grateful that we had the performance that we have had. The athletes did such a fantastic job. We had a great training camp and to be able to transfer the work that we have done to the games was fantastic,” Atiba Wade said. “Having the athletes achieve what they wanted to achieve, and in the spirit of the games, was awesome.
“There are some events that if you don’t have a tear in your eye, you aren’t feeling things. You have athletes with one arm and no other appendages, swimming. It is just … Wow.”
Atiba Wade with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. Photo Courtesy: Atiba Wade
Wade, who created H2Go Fitness and is a swimming clinician with Fitter & Faster, is a Screen Actors Guild stunt man. He started working with Team Army in 2015. It was a career-changing move and brought a lot of his creativity as a coach into play immediately.
“For us to be able to do something to share our highest level of skill with those wounded is an honor and a privilege to do that and give back to the soldiers who have given so much to our country. I am trying to give my best to our nation’s best,” Atiba Wade said. “When you walk in to any type of coaching situation, there are some overlapping features. Working with these soldiers and veterans really challenged me as a coach to have to be able to use my skill set in a creative way, a way that I hadn’t previously.
“That was immediately rewarding. The first day on the job that creativity paid off. You walk out a better coach than when you walked in, which is something to be grateful for.”
The performance by Team USA has Wade thinking ahead as well. In addition to Team Army, he is hoping to work with Paralympians as well.
“It has inspired me to want to work with the Paralympics as a coach,” Wade said. “With the military, it doesn’t get any higher than the Invictus Games. We got a lot of gold and went 1-2-3 in some events. It made me professionally want more as a coach.”
Way to go, Atiba! What a great testament to the incredible leader and coach you are. A good person from the inside out.
Congratulations!!! Great work Atiba !