From the 5am wake-ups to the never-ending road trips and training camps, not to mention trying to balance her studies at Shoalhaven High School too.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Every sacrifice Jasmine Greenwood has made over the past few years was justified when she won a silver medal at Tokyo's Paralympics.
And it wasn't until she was forced to take a deep breath and reflect on her journey, during her two-week quarantine, that the Sussex Inlet product appreciates how special her performance was at her maiden Games.
"Going into the Games, based on my times in training, my efficiency, my improvements from a biomechanical perspective, and my headspace, I was confident I was positioned to swim well and to the best of my ability," Greenwood said.
"I won a bronze at the world championships in 2019, so to upgrade that to a silver at the Paralympics, felt amazing - it's crazy to think I'm the second-fastest in the world in my 100-metre butterfly class.
"I was also really happy with my 100-metre freestyle swim, where I swam my race really well strategically and shaved almost an entire second off my personal best."
These results represented just two of the four top-five finishes the 16-year-old secured in the Japanese capital.
"To be walking away with four top-five finishes, including a silver, means the world to me," she said.
"I know I'm only young and to be already among the top-five fastest S10 women in the world, makes me feel confident in my abilities and I'm really excited to see how far I can push myself into the future.
"A lot of those margins were also only separated by milliseconds, so I am aware I'm right among the others fighting for podium finishes and that I'm one for them to look out for."
As the Bay and Basin Amateur Swim Club talent alludes to, she was pipped for a second medal in both the S10 women's 100-metre backstroke and SM10 women's 200-metre individual medley.
" Although I was slightly disappointed to miss out on a second medal, I had to keep in mind that this is my first Paralympics," she said.
"It was a 10-day competition and I was stressed out and incredibly nervous.
"But, it definitely motivates me to continue fighting for more podium finishes."
As happy as she was with her results in the pool, Greenwood also made numerous lifelong memories out of the water.
"From our unique opening ceremony to cheering in the stands and back at the village to seeing friends again and of course being in Japan and around their beautiful culture, there many highlights out of the pool for me," Greenwood said.
"Every morning and evening, going outside of our rooms, Japanese volunteers would always wave and say good morning or good evening to us.
"They were always smiling under their masks and were always so kind and willing to assist anybody.
"It was beautiful to wake up to their enthusiasm and kindness every day and the Games would have not been anywhere as fun without them."
Having now experienced the Games firsthand, the year 11 student fully appreciates how important the Paralympic movement is.
"The Paralympics is the pinnacle of sport for athletes with a disability, just as is the Olympics for able athletes," the Australian Dolphin said.
"To me, it is so critical that people with and without disabilities embrace the Paralympics because it is a celebration of incredible humans, doing amazing things - like inspiring nations, showing outstanding talent and telling stories.
"It has been so beautiful to see younger people and kids, in particular, having more idea and knowledge of the Paralympics, there being more awareness and support in the community for our incredible able athletes.
"As a proud Paralympian, I hope to continue to inspire and encourage the next generations of Australian athletes."
Greenwood is currently in week two of her hotel quarantine, where she is using the extra time to catch up with her studies and friends.
"During quarantine, to stay busy, I chat to friends and family often, relax, draw, read, watch shows, and of course as a year 11 student, study," she said.
"But I am definitely looking at it as a positive, and a chance to soak in everything that has happened in the past three months of my life away from home.
"I am very excited to go home to my family once it's over."
Once she finishes her quarantine, Greenwood will return to the South Coast to rest before turning her attention's to a big 2022 season.
"My return to training is up in the air at the moment with the current COVID-19 lockdown but I'm hoping to get back in the water soon, especially as I would have already been out of the water for two weeks," she said.
"I'm hoping the results in Tokyo were just the start of my success on the international stage, as they were an insight into where I now sit in the world, after a year and a half of no international competitions.
"I'm hungrier than ever to compete at my second Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, as well as the world championships next year."