Flexibility Disorder To World Champs

My Aim:

To inspire, set an example of what is possible, and prove that no challenge is too big.

My Journey:

As a child, I struggled with a flexibility disorder. I was unable to run without a limp. I was informed that if I was not active as a child I may not be able to walk as an adult, and may require invasive surgery. I had to be vigilant in being physically active, by completing a daily stretching regime that took 30-60mins.

This journey gave me a great appreciation for the healing power of sport. After accumulating several severe injuries that I neglected, playing through the rugby season with the injury, I was left unable to run without pain for the following 3 years.

At this stage, I was completing a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science alongside working as a trainer. I incorporated everything I had learned into my rehabilitation without any success. It was not until I looked beyond the physical component of healing that my road to recovery began. Adrenal fatigue (stress) and poor gut health both presented themselves as barriers. Once my focus shifted to working on these factors I quickly saw results.

Following 3 years of being unable to run, I wanted to challenge myself more, and test my training methods. Ironman 2018 was set as my goal. I qualified for age group Sprint Distance World Championships in Rotterdam in September this year. This has given me the ability to showcase my journey on the World stage in the lead up to Ironman.