Hello, I'm

Lily Piccolo

Hello, I'm

Lily Piccolo

Hello, I'm

Lily Piccolo

Hello, I'm

Lily Piccolo

Own Your Story!

Own Your Story!

Before my diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, I was a vibrant visual arts teacher, brimming with creativity and confidence. I loved travel, art, music, dance and expressing myself. 

But at 24, I received the life-altering news that I was going blind. My doctor told me there was no cure and to go away and start making memories. 

That devastating moment changed everything. 

The bright future I had imagined - career, family, freedom and adventure, suddenly felt uncertain. I lost confidence and withdrew. 


For a while, I let the diagnosis define me, feeling small in a world that once felt wide open. My world was losing its beauty.

Despite the diagnosis, I chose not to let it define me. I got married, had two beautiful children, and continued teaching, navigating my new life with vision impairment. By 35, when I became legally blind, I had to give up my license, losing my independence. 

Over the years, the challenges compounded, including the loss of my partner and biggest support, and I realised I needed to reclaim my life. 

The adversity was worsening my vision, and I needed a way to turn things around. 

The bright future I had imagined - career, family, freedom and adventure, suddenly felt uncertain. I lost confidence and withdrew. 


For a while, I let the diagnosis define me, feeling small in a world that once felt wide open. My world was losing its beauty.

Despite the diagnosis, I chose not to let it define me. I got married, had two beautiful children, and continued teaching, navigating my new life with vision impairment. By 35, when I became legally blind, I had to give up my license, losing my independence. 

Over the years, the challenges compounded, including the loss of my partner and biggest support, and I realised I needed to reclaim my life. 

The adversity was worsening my vision, and I needed a way to turn things around. 

That’s when I discovered Tandem Cycling

Sport and exercise became more than just a way to stay fit and healthy, it was a lifeline. Moving my body gave me strength when I felt weak, energy when I felt stuck, and hope when life felt heavy. It reminded me that even if I couldn’t control my vision loss, I could still control how I wanted to live my life.


Every time I competed and embarked on a new life changing adventure, I reclaimed a little more of my identity and sense of self.


I went on to become a nationally competing para-athlete and triathlete, excelling in para-cycling on my tandem bike, Ruby Tuesday. 


I teamed up with an incredible pilot and guide, we reached heights I never thought possible. 


This success inspired me to seek new adventures. I walked the Camino across Spain, cross-country skied in Utah, and climbed Mount Kosciuszko. 


I began traveling as a vision-impaired solo traveler, coached young vision impaired athletes at Camp Abilities in the USA and continued to set bigger goals, smashing stereotypes of what’s possible for someone with a disability. 

My incredible transformative journey continues to unfold, proving that with the right mindset, support, and determination, anything is possible. 

Sport and exercise became more than just a way to stay fit and healthy, it was a lifeline. Moving my body gave me strength when I felt weak, energy when I felt stuck, and hope when life felt heavy. It reminded me that even if I couldn’t control my vision loss, I could still control how I wanted to live my life.


Every time I competed and embarked on a new life changing adventure, I reclaimed a little more of my identity and sense of self.


I went on to become a nationally competing para-athlete and triathlete, excelling in para-cycling on my tandem bike, Ruby Tuesday. 


I teamed up with an incredible pilot and guide, we reached heights I never thought possible. 


This success inspired me to seek new adventures. I walked the Camino across Spain, cross-country skied in Utah, and climbed Mount Kosciuszko. 


I began traveling as a vision-impaired solo traveler, coached young vision impaired athletes at Camp Abilities in the USA and continued to set bigger goals, smashing stereotypes of what’s possible for someone with a disability. 

My incredible transformative journey continues to unfold, proving that with the right mindset, support, and determination, anything is possible. 

My story isn’t about being fearless.

It’s about continuing to show up, even when things feel challenging, unfair, or uncertain.


I realised that my journey was inspiring others, so I began sharing my story. Storytelling gave me back my voice.


And, through my work in the disability sector, I realised that sharing my experiences could make a real difference to others.


Every time I spoke, people were moved. I began hearing the same words over and over again: ‘You changed my life.’ That was the moment I realised my story wasn’t just mine; it was a powerful tool to help others see what was possible for themselves. 


I aim to inspire people to dream big, believe in themselves, and achieve beyond what they ever thought possible.


I change the whole narrative of my life and you can too, because if you own your own story. YOU get to write the ending.


I hope to help people dream bigger, believe in themselves, and achieve more than they thought possible.

It’s about continuing to show up, even when things feel challenging, unfair, or uncertain.


I realised that my journey was inspiring others, so I began sharing my story. Storytelling gave me back my voice.


And, through my work in the disability sector, I realised that sharing my experiences could make a real difference to others.


Every time I spoke, people were moved. I began hearing the same words over and over again: ‘You changed my life.’ That was the moment I realised my story wasn’t just mine; it was a powerful tool to help others see what was possible for themselves. 


I aim to inspire people to dream big, believe in themselves, and achieve beyond what they ever thought possible.


I change the whole narrative of my life and you can too, because if you own your own story. YOU get to write the ending.


I hope to help people dream bigger, believe in themselves, and achieve more than they thought possible.

I hope to help people dream bigger, believe in themselves, and achieve more than they thought possible.

I hope to help people dream bigger, believe in themselves, and achieve more than they thought possible.

Wollongong Triathlon

1st place

Women’s Para-triathlon Super Sprint

*My first triathlon!

1st place

Women’s Para-triathlon Super Sprint

*My first triathlon!

1st place

Women’s Para-triathlon Super Sprint

*My first triathlon!

1st place

Women’s Para-triathlon Super Sprint

*My first triathlon!

April 2023

NSW State Championships

GOLD MEDAL

Women’s B Time Trial Champion

Gunning, NSW Australia

August 2023

Challenge Canberra

1st place

Women’s Para-Aquabike

November 2023

National Road Championships

BRONZE MEDAL - 4th Place

Ballarat, VIC Australia

Women’s B Time Trial

January 2024

Para-cycling World Cup

1st place

Women’s Para-Aquabike

*My biggest achievement to date!

January 2024

Oceania Cycling Championships

GOLD MEDAL

Women’s B Time Trial Champion

Women’s B Road Race Champion

April 2024

I believe in chasing dreams that stretch us beyond our boundaries.

I believe movement is a life-giving tool for our bodies, our minds, and our hearts.

I believe disability is not a limitation. It can be a source of strength and transformation.

I believe hope is not something we wait for. It is something we choose and practice.

Why I Speak

Why I Speak

Every time I share my story, someone tells me it helped them see their own life differently. Sometimes it is a teenager who feels invisible. Sometimes it is a professional who feels stuck. Sometimes it’s a person newly diagnosed trying to navigate their changing world

I don’t preach inspiration, I live it. In telling my story, I hope others find their own path to dream believe and achieve in their own way regardless of the challenges they face

At the heart of it all, I want to remind you of one thing. You do not need perfect circumstances to live a bold, beautiful life and create an amazing story.

At the heart of it all, I want to remind you of one thing. You do not need perfect circumstances to live a bold, beautiful life and create an amazing story.

At the heart of it all, I want to remind you of one thing. You do not need perfect circumstances to live a bold, beautiful life and create an amazing story.

Connect with Me on Socials

I'd Love to Talk

Want to learn more about Lily’s story or invite her to speak at your event? Get in touch using the form below. We’d love to hear from you!

I’m a speaker, para-athlete, storyteller and adventurer redefining what it means to live with disability. My journey is proof that no matter the diagnosis, loss, or label, you can still create an extraordinary life, change your narrative and own your story. 

Lily Piccolo © 2025. All rights reserved.

Explore stories of resilience, identity, and what it means to truly show up.

Explore stories of resilience, identity, and what it means to truly show up.

Explore stories of resilience, identity, and what it means to truly show up.

Partner with me to create change through inclusion, movement, and mindset.

Partner with me to create change through inclusion, movement, and mindset.

Partner with me to create change through inclusion, movement, and mindset.

Follow my journey through parenting, vision loss, and para sport.

Follow my journey through parenting, vision loss, and para sport.

Follow my journey through parenting, vision loss, and para sport.

Lily Piccolo © 2025. All rights reserved.

Explore stories of resilience, identity, and what it means to truly show up.

Partner with me to create change through inclusion, movement, and mindset.

Follow my journey through parenting, vision loss, and para sport.