Paralympian Claire Cashmore rose to fame when she won two silver medals and a bronze in the pool at London 2012. Now she’s training for Rio and has her sights set on the top prize, but what do Paralympians do to relax?

What are you up to at the moment?

It’s 11am and I am currently in bed. I just got back from trials in Glasgow so I am feeling a little tired after a successful week of racing.

What do you most enjoy about swimming?

The main thing that I love is standing on that medal podium; nothing beats that feeling, or the feeling of walking out in front of a crowd who are cheering your name. When you hear that, all those 5am mornings and the hard work and sacrifices are worth it. Standing on the podium at London 2012 in particular was the best feeling of my life. I also love the feeling of being healthy and fit; that release of endorphins and relieving of stress.

What has been the most challenging experience so far?

In my teenage years I was very self conscious. Missing my lower left arm there were a lot of challenges to overcome. At that age you think the world is looking at you and talking about you, which is rubbish – they probably couldn’t care less. All I wanted to do was blend in and I didn’t think I could. I thought that people wouldn’t like me, that I wouldn’t get a boyfriend, and lots of other things. I think getting over that has been my biggest life challenge. In the pool it’s always about striving to be the best you can be. There are always things you can improve on and I am never completely satisfied with what I have done.

What has been the best thing about your career?

Experiencing the Olympics in London. Even though I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve, the crowd and everything were amazing; it still gives me goosebumps. We lost the gold medal by 0.02 seconds to Australia but the crowd just seemed so happy to see you representing your country which was wonderful. It was a real mix of emotions from a real high to a real low, but we did our best. That time it wasn’t good enough, but hopefully we can change at Rio.

When are you at your happiest?

When I am with my friends, family and boyfriend. I have got some great people around me who have supported me through lots of highs and lows.

Who do you admire?

When I was growing up it was my coach Robin Brew. He was such an inspirational person in my life – he achieved so much in his own career, and being coached by someone who had been to the Olympics themselves was amazing. I also really admire my family though, and the way they have brought me up. My parents never treated me differently to my other sisters even though I was missing an arm.

How do you relax?

My spending time with family and friends… and sleeping – I do love my sleep. As an athlete you get used to napping in the day. I also find listening to music really helpful because I struggle to relax normally and am really energetic – even watching the TV I am usually doing something else as well! I need to work on that!

Who would play you in a movie?

Peter Pan, because I never want to grow up!

Do you have a favourite spa treatment and why?

Anything! Massages, facials, I love treating and pampering. I don’t get around to it enough, I think we all get so caught up in the business of life that we don’t relax enough.

Complete this sentence: a beautiful woman is…

…Happy, confident and comfortable in her own body. So many women are not comfortable in their own bodies because of stereotypes; I hate airbrushing

We like to encourage everyone to do one thing each week to be kind to themselves; what are you going to do to #bekindtoyou?

I have actually got week off so I am going to see family, who I don’t get to see often, for my dad’s 60th birthday. It is a rare occurrence to see them all and not to have to say I can’t make it because of training, so I am looking forward to that and will enjoy letting my hair down.