Oksana Masters Quotes

Powerful Oksana Masters for Daily Growth

About Oksana Masters

Oksana Masters, born on October 19, 1988, is an inspiring American Paralympic athlete, author, and speaker, who has defied adversity to achieve remarkable success in multiple sports disciplines. Born in Ukraine, Masters was abandoned at a train station as an infant, suffering from severe congenital limb differences due to the fallout of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Adopted by an American family in 1995, she underwent numerous surgeries and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. Masters' life took a transformative turn when she discovered adaptive sports at the age of 18, participating in the Pentathlon at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She made her Winter Paralympics debut in 2014 in Sochi, competing in cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Masters' athletic career has been a testament to her resilience, having won multiple medals across different sports, including a gold medal in the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang. In addition to her sporting achievements, Masters is also an acclaimed author. Her memoir "Breaking Bones and Building A Family," published in 2017, chronicles her journey of self-discovery, family, and athletic triumphs. The book offers a powerful testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find strength within oneself. Masters is an influential figure who uses her platform to advocate for people with disabilities, promote adaptive sports, and break down societal barriers. Her inspiring story continues to captivate audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on those who hear it.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I am strong because I've been weak. I am fearless because I've been afraid."

This quote by Oksana Masters highlights the transformative power that adversity can have in shaping one's strength and courage. The statement suggests that experiencing weakness or fear does not define a person, but instead, it provides the foundation for developing inner resilience, fortitude, and fearlessness. In other words, going through challenging experiences makes one stronger and more fearless by teaching valuable lessons about perseverance and overcoming obstacles. It's an inspiring message that emphasizes personal growth and empowerment in the face of adversity.


"Defeat is a detour, not a dead end."

This quote by Oksana Masters suggests that experiencing defeat or failure is not an end to one's journey or aspirations, but rather a temporary setback or a detour from the path towards success. It encourages resilience, perseverance, and the understanding that obstacles should be overcome rather than seen as insurmountable. The message is that even when faced with defeat, it is important to keep moving forward, learn from mistakes, and continue pursuing one's goals.


"Every day is a new beginning. A new chance to be better than you were before."

This quote emphasizes the opportunity for personal growth and improvement in every moment. It suggests that each day presents a fresh start, a new opportunity to learn from past experiences, and to strive towards becoming a better version of oneself. The message is one of resilience, optimism, and the belief that progress can be made if we are willing to take advantage of the opportunities presented in each new day.


"I don't see my past as a burden but as a blessing. It has shaped me into the person I am today."

This quote by Oksana Masters underscores her positive outlook on adversity. Rather than viewing her past struggles as a weight or hindrance, she perceives them as instrumental in forming her identity. In other words, despite the challenges she faced, she appreciates that they have contributed to shaping her unique character and strength. This mindset empowers her to embrace her past, learn from it, and use it as a foundation for growth and resilience.


"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."

This quote by Oksana Masters suggests that one's perspective or outlook on life significantly impacts their experiences. A negative or poor attitude can hinder progress, while a positive and resilient mindset enables individuals to overcome challenges and live a fulfilling life. Despite any physical or mental impairments, it is the attitude that defines whether these obstacles become disabilities or opportunities for growth and success.


I wear my prosthetics legs every day, and when I train in the gym, I call them my Lamborghini, because both legs and sockets, which extend up to my hips to keep the legs on via a suction seal, cost about $305,815.

- Oksana Masters

Every Day, Seal, Wear, Extend

I'm just stupid and too headstrong.

- Oksana Masters

Stupid, Just, Too, Headstrong

It was honestly like 'Annie.' One day I was alone in a cold, dark Eastern European orphanage, and then the next day I was in an enchanted, mystical land known as Walmart.

- Oksana Masters

Next, Eastern, Honestly, Enchanted

Time trialing is one of those things that you've got to train for... Being a new rider, it's still really hard for me to know what's the most efficient gear for me to be in. The road race is probably more exciting, in my opinion, because it's a lot faster pace, and people are constantly attacking.

- Oksana Masters

In My Opinion, Constantly, Rider

The biggest challenge during competition is keeping my real legs warm with clothing, because I have poor circulation in the tissue around the amputated areas.

- Oksana Masters

Competition, Tissue, Keeping, Amputated

I was a super active kid, so I've always been aware of where my body is in space, and I think when I had my legs amputated, it makes you more aware of your body, and because I don't use my legs, I use more of my hands.

- Oksana Masters

Hands, Been, I Think, Amputated

When I first had my legs amputated, it was hard for me to be positive and feel pretty. Many people don't know that someone with a disability can be strong and beautiful and successful as an athlete.

- Oksana Masters

Strong, Athlete, Pretty, Amputated

I usually like to keep my hair and makeup routines pretty simple after I work out but always need a little bit of mascara to finish off the look. I just swipe some on and then am good to go for the rest of the day.

- Oksana Masters

Simple, Makeup, Some, Swipe

I was missing the main weight-bearing bone in both legs. And the left leg, I didn't have a full knee. It was a floating knee. I had six toes. My hands were webbed, and I also have one kidney. I don't have a full bicep on my right side. Thank God my hair didn't get ruined.

- Oksana Masters

Hands, Had, Main, Ruined

Cycling's primarily a pushing motion, and skiing is more pulling, so it kind of balances out the body.

- Oksana Masters

Motion, More, Skiing, Balances

I absolutely fell in love with being on the water and the peace and freedom that you get being on the water in a single boat.

- Oksana Masters

Love, Single, Fell, Boat

I definitely did not like my body when I first started sports. I didn't like my body just in general as a teenager. Being a girl and a teenager with two prosthetic legs and two hands that were misshapen that had so much reconstructive surgery on them, I thought my world was over - put a zit on top of that, and then my life is completely over.

- Oksana Masters

My Life, Thought, Hands, Teenager

It's hard to understand the athlete's lifestyle. You literally eat, sleep, train. You go to training camps in the winter where there is no Internet, you can't make phone calls.

- Oksana Masters

Athlete, Phone Calls, Train

My hair is super fine, so I love using Batiste Dry Shampoo to give it volume after I shower and dry my hair. It also gives me extra body and texture for when I choose to wear my hair in a French braid.

- Oksana Masters

Love, Shower, Shampoo, Extra

I don't know why, but I love sunflowers, and I just have this vivid memory of being in a field of sunflowers and how they felt like trees. They felt so tall.

- Oksana Masters

Love, Memory, Like, Vivid

I didn't find out about the Paralympics until I was 18 years old. Once I found out what the Paralympics were, I was so excited to know I had a chance to represent my country and wear Team U.S.A. on my back.

- Oksana Masters

Country, Wear, About, Represent

It's weird to not know what a family is. Not know what a mother's love is. And not really know what a hug is or anything.

- Oksana Masters

Love, Mother, Weird, Hug

I'm chasing that gold medal.

- Oksana Masters

Gold, Chasing, Medal, Gold Medal

I like to keep my hair and makeup routines easy and simple on race days.

- Oksana Masters

Hair, Makeup, Race, Routines

I was supposed to be adopted when I was five, but then my adoption was pushed back by two years.

- Oksana Masters

Back, Adoption, Supposed, Adopted

I remember seeing the Olympics when I was 13. I always wanted to know how it felt to stand on top of the podium hearing your country's anthem while watching your flag being raised in something you poured your heart and soul into.

- Oksana Masters

Country, I Remember, Anthem, Heart And Soul

When I ski, I take both of my legs off and get into a sit ski: a ski with a custom seat that has been molded for me. I use my core and arms to propel myself on snow with help from ski poles.

- Oksana Masters

Been, Use, Ski, Propel

The realization that I'm never going to run again, the feeling through my hair when you run... you're still a kid. You still have so much life to live.

- Oksana Masters

Through, Going, Still, Realization

I can go days without eating if I don't think about food. Your mind, to protect itself, learns not to pay attention to that hunger feeling.

- Oksana Masters

Mind, Think, Pay Attention, Protect

In 2012, I was invited to a ski event called the Hartford Ski Spectacular to learn how to sit-ski for the first time. I loved it, but it was not pretty - I was not good. I didn't know how to stop, so I kept throwing myself on the ground.

- Oksana Masters

Good, Ski, Throwing, Spectacular

I never thought I'd be able to go back to Ukraine.

- Oksana Masters

Thought, Never, Able, Ukraine

Growing up in a very poor orphanage in Ukraine, there wasn't much food.

- Oksana Masters

Growing Up, Growing, Very, Ukraine

You don't get any second chances.

- Oksana Masters

Get, Second Chances, Any, Chances

Every single race that I get on the podium in biathlon, I'm shocked.

- Oksana Masters

Single, Race, Get, Podium

I've gotten a lot of people saying. 'That is awesome. You're so brave.' I hate when people say brave. I'm not brave. I'm just living my life. Why is that brave?

- Oksana Masters

My Life, Living, Gotten, Brave

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