Lex Gillette is a 5-time medalist at the Paralympic Games, and a world record holder in the long jump, but he’s more than that too. As he learns to navigate the world after losing his sight, he’s worried about being left out and overlooked — or, just as bad, being seen only in terms of his disability and his athletic gifts. Lex shares the story of how he began to forge his identity on his own terms, creating a spotlight that he steps into with his entire being.

Listen to Cal Ripken Jr.’s episode of Meditative Story, "Showing up is never an end in itself": http://listen.meditativestory.com/CalRipkenJrWW

Learn more about Lex: https://www.lexgillette.com

Follow him on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexgillette

Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexgillette/

Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story at: www.meditativestory.com

Sign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gyDGgD

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.