Sarah de Lagarde: A Model of Resilience and Expertise

To start this interview, Sarah, what defines your journey and your life ? 
The word isn’t very pretty, but it resonates with me in a very special way: multiculturalism. I am the product of a German father and a Dutch mother, which allowed me, from a very young age, to be exposed to several distinct cultures, learning different languages, traditions, and ways of life. It also gave me the ability to navigate social codes and values across diverse communities, enriching both my personal and professional experience. I’ve lived in London for over 20 years now.  Every day, I try to embody the richness of cultural plurality while building bridges between differences. Cultural diversity, in my view, is a way of thinking and acting that fosters openness and tolerance.

I am someone who lives deeply in the present, savoring the moment. Life has taught me that the present is, by nature, fleeting, and that we must embrace it with all our strength, soul, and body.My focus often shifts to what lies ahead, driven by a passion for progress. I live in the present and rarely look back, because I have no control over the past!

I don’t know if I’m courageous, but I’m not afraid of anything! Not afraid of failing, not afraid of the unknown, not afraid of this man or that woman… My life has led me to speak to everyone, without apprehension, without awkwardness, respecting the greatest as well as the humblest. I’m not afraid of tomorrow, not afraid for my children, not afraid of falling from my pedestal.

I am at 120%… much to the dismay of mathematicians. 100% woman, mother, friend, speaker, entrepreneur, mountaineer—and 20% bionic with my artificial arm and leg. It wasn’t innate, but I learned to speak and understand bionic science in three months so that my body and brain could integrate it. That, too, is  part of the open mindedness we were talking about earlier.

Finally, I have a certain joie de vivre and (sometimes dark) sense of humor. My disability doesn’t allow me to do everything, and sometimes I find myself in tricky situations. I remember a trip to Africa where customs officers put my arm and leg through the X-ray machine, forcing me to balance on one leg. It was all quite surreal and reminds me to keep perspective and never take myself too seriously.

What were your sources of inspiration, Sarah ? 
First and foremost, my husband. I see him as my partner, and I appreciate every day the complementarity we share in both our professional and personal lives. I’m married to a man who understands me, challenges me, and supports me at every moment. That’s important—and still rare enough—that I want to emphasize it.

My children, of course, who push me and force me to reinvent myself. My daughters have no filter with me and see me as a normal mom… except that… they’re the ones who tie my shoes. That creates a special bond. I’m very lucky to have them.

I also think of my colleagues and all the encounters that have helped me grow. My vulnerability connects me easily to others and allows me to focus on what truly matters, leaving the superfluous behind.

Beyond what inspires me, I’m also defined by what I avoid. I reject people with no values, those who never admit they’re wrong, those who are arrogant, those who are weak with the powerful and powerful with the weak. Inauthenticity triggers my phantom pains.

Tell us about how others look at you-the pity you sometimes detect in their eyes ? 
That obviously depends on my state of mind in that moment.
However, my life journey and this ability to live in the present force me not to worry about other people’s emotions. I don’t see myself as a victim but as a survivor, a warrior. My bionic arm and leg give me superpowers!

What are you most proud of over the two years, Sarah ? 
I think of my two ascents of Kilimanjaro in two years, my TED Talk, my speaking engagements around the world, and the people I’ve met. Looking back, all of this seemed impossible not so long ago.
I draw no ego from it. I don’t need these achievements to exist or to be loved by my husband and children. I do all this for others and claim no special place in life. I just want people to feel how fragile life is. The cost of a prosthesis today is inaccessible, even prohibitive. I fight, I advocate, I commit to making them as affordable as possible. A relentless activist—dedicated and passionate. That’s what I love, and that’s what makes me proud.

Finally, Sarah, what advice would you give to a young person thinking about their career?
Whatever you choose, whatever you do, do it well—with the greatest rigor, enthusiasm, and without fear. It’s not about succeeding in life, but about succeeding at life.