Hi, my name is Edward Maximus, my friends call me Maximus, and I am a student at Winston Churchill High School. I was first introduced to the pool at the age of two and I began competitive swimming at the age of six. Ever since, I have grown to believe there is greatness inside all of us. Sometimes we just need a little help to bring it out. I see the amazing impact swimming has had on my life both in and out of the pool.

In particular, I remember the time when my teammate and friend lent me his tech suit before a race a couple of years ago. I was not feeling and swimming my best that day and I was struggling with self-doubt and fear, as I had just returned to the pool after having been away for nearly two years during Covid. Before my race, he noticed I didn’t have a tech suit, which is a piece of expensive high-tech gear that I had never worn before. Without hesitation, he handed me his own tech suit. The act of putting on that unfamiliar suit transformed me; I felt like Superman gearing up for battle. I swam my personal best, shaving off three seconds. That race was the turning point for me, teaching me that courage is about showing up being your best even when it seems hopeless. We all need a helping hand to unlock the greatness within us.

I am still grateful to my friend for believing in me even before I believed in myself. Inspired by his act of kindness, I decided to pay it forward and start Waves4Change with my brother as a way of honoring all those who guided me over the years. Waves4Change is a mission to inspire, support, and empower as many young swimmers as possible. Let’s create a wave of positivity, helping kids become their best selves and overcome their limitations. Together, I truly believe that we can achieve amazing and great things!