She began swimming at age eight with the New Milton Seagulls Swimming Club in Christchurch, England. Her journey into sports was influenced by living near the sea and using water for rehabilitation after multiple surgeries. By age 12, she had undergone 14 surgeries and used swimming to stay active.

Professional Debut and Achievements

She made her debut for Great Britain in 2014. Her career has been marked by numerous accolades. She was named in the top 50 of The Telegraph's 2019 Women of the Year list and won the 2019 Sunday Times Disability Sportswoman of the Year. At the 2019 British Swimming Awards, she was named Para Swimmer of the Year.

She also received the Maurice Watkins Champion Athlete Award, becoming the first Para swimmer to win this overall award. In September 2019, she was voted International Paralympic Committee Athlete of the Month. She was honoured as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2017.

Challenges and Setbacks

Injuries have been part of her journey. She withdrew from the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo due to a persistent elbow injury. Nerve swelling in her elbow had caused her to miss training time leading up to the Games.

Ambitions and Future Plans

Looking ahead, she aims to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Her training has been ramping up in preparation for this event.

Other Activities

Beyond swimming, she has diverse interests. She served on the athlete advisory group for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and worked as a pundit for Channel 4 during the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "I loved being on the sofa [for Channel 4], doing some punditry," she said.

Documentary and Music

In 2023, she featured in a documentary called 'Amputating Alice' broadcast on Channel 4. She is also a musician, playing electric guitar and bass in a band called 'Blush!'. The group released their debut single in 2021.

Education

She began studying neuroscience at Middlesex University London in September 2019 after previously studying music at the University of West London.

Personal Life

Her hobbies include climbing, playing guitar, listening to music, cooking, and origami. Her younger brother Christian Tai has also competed in swimming, including at the 2018 British Championships in Edinburgh.

This athlete's journey is marked by resilience and dedication. From early challenges to significant achievements, her story continues to inspire many.