Sink or Swim

In this vulnerably honest memoir, Lex reveals how she cheated death and embraced her second life.

Meet the real Alexa Leary. You've seen the bubbly blonde dancing on the podium at the 2024 Paris Paralympics; you've followed her @moveforlex Instagram account; and marvelled at her world records in the pool. Now, hear her story.

This is a story in two parts, because Lex has lived two lives. There is the Lex from before her catastrophic cycling accident in 2021, when she was an ambitious triathlete with a bright future ahead. And there is the Lex after the accident, when a severe traumatic brain injury threatened her life and changed the course of her future forever.

Before Lex became the Golden Girl of Para Swimming, she spent 111 days in hospital and rehab, learning to walk and talk again, and getting to know her new brain. It's an ongoing process that continues today. Life with a TBI is full of challenges, big emotions and a lack of understanding. Under the weight of her trauma, Lex could have easily sunk - and there were times when she did - but ultimately, she chose to swim.

This is the untold story of Alexa Leary and her family. It is at-times confronting, heavy and dark; while also being inspiring, captivating and cheeky. Above all else, it is courageously vulnerable and searingly honest. As you would expect, from the one and only Lex Leary.

About the Author

In this vulnerably honest memoir, Lex reveals how she cheated death and embraced her second life.

Meet the real Alexa Leary. You've seen the bubbly blonde dancing on the podium at the 2024 Paris Paralympics; you've followed her @moveforlex Instagram account; and marvelled at her world records in the pool. Now, hear her story.

This is a story in two parts, because Lex has lived two lives. There is the Lex from before her catastrophic cycling accident in 2021, when she was an ambitious triathlete with a bright future ahead. And there is the Lex after the accident, when a severe traumatic brain injury threatened her life and changed the course of her future forever.

Before Lex became the Golden Girl of Para Swimming, she spent 111 days in hospital and rehab, learning to walk and talk again, and getting to know her new brain. It's an ongoing process that continues today. Life with a TBI is full of challenges, big emotions and a lack of understanding. Under the weight of her trauma, Lex could have easily sunk - and there were times when she did - but ultimately, she chose to swim.

This is the untold story of Alexa Leary and her family. It is at-times confronting, heavy and dark; while also being inspiring, captivating and cheeky. Above all else, it is courageously vulnerable and searingly honest. As you would expect, from the one and only Lex Leary.