The journey of Chelsea Sodaro, IRONMAN World Champion in 2022, towards the triathlon elite was neither simple nor premeditated. Nothing further, she began with an innate curiosity to explore the limits of her body and mind. “I started this sport to discover what was possible for my mind and body.“, confesses the triathlete in a recent interview on the Rich Roll podcast, which Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt already went through at the time.
Raised in Davis, Chelsea built a successful career in track and field before turning to triathlon. Despite her accomplishments in track and field, her transition was not easy. He remembers having to “go where I could enter“, a sign of his determination to make his way in a new field.
A new coach, who took her to the triathlon
Canyon’s recalls a turning point during a World Cup competition. Despite winning, she found herself alone and not enjoying herself, which led her to rethink her career. “I won, but I wasn’t having fun“, he says, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being in sport.
An encounter with a coach during an open water swimming session marked another pivotal moment. “Chelsea, come here“he told her, while conveying confidence that she could succeed in competitions. This interaction sowed in her the seed of belief in her own abilities.
Photo: Planet Triathlon
The importance of mental health
Mental health care is a crucial aspect in any athlete’s life, and Chelsea Sodaro addresses it with uncommon candor. After her victory in Kona, she faced an emotional roller coaster. “I wasn’t in a good place after winning last year“he admits, demystifying the notion that sporting success automatically leads to a state of well-being.
Sodaro speaks openly about her battle with postpartum anxiety, a topic rarely discussed in high-performance sport. “If you don’t treat it, it infiltrates all areas of your life.“, confesses the athlete. This condition reached such a point that it made it difficult for her to get on a plane and she developed a certain paranoia towards everyday situations: “I didn’t want to go into a store, it was difficult for me to be in closed spaces” he shares, showing how his anxiety impacted everyday activities. “I was always in the waiting room with Sky, crying and waiting, always looking for exits and how to escape from places.“he adds, describing the level of his anguish.
Photo: Bob De Wolf // Twitter
Additionally, the athlete highlights how anxiety affected her identity and athletic performance. “When I can’t go out and push myself, I don’t feel like the best version of myself.“he explains, evidencing the interconnection between his mental health and his athletic ability.
Her healing process included seeking professional help, a step she describes as liberating. “They taught me strategies and put me on a very low dose of an anti-anxiety medication.“, he reveals, highlighting the importance of seeking and accepting help.
This decision brought with it doubts and fears, especially about how it could affect his athletic performance. “I was afraid that, by losing that darkness that drove me, I might lose the desire“he explains, addressing a common concern among those seeking help for mental disorders.”If with this I empowered one person to ask for help, that’s it, it was worth it“he reflects
2024-01-03 02:22:47
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