Claire Burley

Hi, I’m Claire. I am an international rower who formally was part of the Hong Kong National Team. I’m currently still a training athlete, and also work as a rowing coach and professional actor.

Only recently given my official ADHD diagnosis, Growing up in Hong Kong, I was surrounded by highly academic peers, and there was always a lot of pressure on us to do well in school. There was also a huge stigma around mental health, and still is to this day in Hong Kong (which I am aiming to be a part of breaking). Whilst I always tried my hardest to fit in, or do well, it always seemed that my best was never enough.

One of the places I found peace in was in sports. As a child (and even now as an adult) allowed me to find an escape from the constant noise in my head. With my ever lasting battles with my mental health, and not understanding why I was the way I was, or why I felt different, sports allowed me to focus, it gave me goals to strive for, and it gave me a sense of belonging, somewhere where I felt like i didn’t need to worry so much about outside pressures.

I’ve spent years trying and failing to understand myself. It has taken me through intense highs, and intense lows. I aim to share my stories and my journey with those out who need to hear them, and to encourage more people to speak up, and never be afraid to be themselves and step away from what the world classes as “normal”.

Speaks About

  • Autism

  • Rowing

  • Disordered eating

  • Intersectionality

Current or Previous Roles

  • Former Hong Kong rower

  • Training for Olympics