Ince’s ‘Energy Within’ in 90-second film

Paralympic swimmer Shanntol Ince has faced her challenges and has become a truly inspirational sporting icon not just in local sport but to any individual who is facing an obstacle.

Ince is a determined athlete who trains for several hours, six days a week and never gives up.

This determination passion and strength will be shared with the world tomorrow in a ground-breaking, 90-second story to be showcased on television, in cinemas and online. The local swimmer wants to show the world why she is proud to be different, in the trailer to the movie “Energy Within”.

She explains: “Growing up, people used to pity me and I thought to myself ‘well if that’s what you want to do, pity me getting up at dawn every day, pity me for training six days a week, pity me for the sacrifices I’ve made, but don’t ever pity me for the way I was born’, that just fuels my energy within.” Ince uses her obstacles as fuel and she is using this fuel to charge towards her own greatness and inspire others in the process.

She wants every person, able or disabled to be inspired to just be their best.

Ince’s story was filmed at her family home at Tyrico Bay and at the National Aquatic Centre and shows Ince missing out on parties and being pitied but then focuses on her training, her passion and her energy within.

The film is sponsored by British Petroleum Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT ) from whom Ince also receives special training at the Michael Johnson Performance Centre in the United States as part of her training for the upcoming Paralympic Rio Games.

Elyse Guevara-Harris of BP Trinidad and Tobago oversaw the local production of the story which at times took place in inclement weather.

She added, “I was nervous as the filming took place over a three-day period with long hours for Shanntol, but she just kept smiling and pressing on, she’s a true inspiration.” “Our goal is to show that national pride should have no limits physical or mental,” said bpTT Manager Corporate Communications, Danielle Jones-Hunte.

“Shanntol is a true national ambassador and we are proud to help bring her story to the international stage.” The showcasing of the story aligns with bpTT ’s four-year commitment to support the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic and Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committees, signed in January 2012. This partnership also facilitates other local athletes, coaches, students and over 15 National Sporting Organisations at the art and performance training programmes at the Michael Johnson Performance facilities in the US.

The partnership has also supported the administration of the National Olympic and National Paralympic Committees in their duties preparing for the Games during the 2012 to 2016 quadrennial period and has set a new local standard for sponsorship of national athletes.