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When I signed up for the Hyrox doubles women event back in January 2024, I knew it would be a huge physical challenge, but what I hadn’t anticipated was how much it would shift my mindset. Completing the event on October 26th in Madrid felt incredible, yet the real victory was the mental transformation I achieved even before stepping onto the course. My goal for race day was simple: pace myself, have fun, and complete it—without focusing on perfection. This journey became about enjoying the process and discovering a new level of strength and resilience within myself.
I’ve spent years aiming for high standards, but as I prepared for Hyrox, I made a conscious decision to let go of the pressure to be perfect. Instead, I focused on enjoying the experience, taking it one step at a time, and genuinely celebrating each bit of progress. This shift allowed me to see my body in a new light: strong, capable, and resilient, rather than an object for scrutiny. I felt fit and powerful, no longer chasing an image of “perfection” but fully embracing the journey.
This mindset change was liberating. I was proud of my body, not just for its appearance but for all it could achieve. With each practice session, I found myself appreciating the process rather than focusing on the finish line, and this inner growth became my primary goal.
One of my favorite moments from the race was the sled pull. I hadn’t had access to the equipment during training, so it was my very first time doing it. As I gripped the rope and felt the weight move, I felt like the strongest woman in the world. Tackling something entirely new and discovering that I could handle it was an incredible feeling.
The sled push brought similar emotions. Despite only practicing it once before the race, I managed to push through. Having experienced physical pain in the past, stepping back into that challenge took courage, and completing these tasks without previous experience reminded me how resilient I truly am. It can be so easy to catastrophise after experiencing pain, to tell yourself, “What if this hurts again?” But I’d reached a point where I could trust my body again, and that trust felt like a huge achievement in itself.
I’ll admit, running is not my strong suit. Hyrox confirmed that I’m definitely not a natural runner. But instead of feeling defeated, I found myself motivated. I realized I wanted to work on my running, not to become perfect at it, but to improve and see how much further I could go. I’ve even signed up for a 10-mile race in March—another opportunity to build on what I’ve learned and to keep moving forward. I may never be a marathon runner, but this journey has shown me that the process of learning and improving is what truly matters.
Body image has been a complicated topic for me, especially since pregnancy and my C-section. I still struggle with it—balancing how I feel in my body with the reality of what I see in the mirror. Yet, through this journey, I’ve been able to appreciate my body for its strength and resilience, and I’m slowly finding peace in this duality. I know that with time and continued effort, I’ll find the balance between how I look and how I feel.
The truth is, appearance does matter to me, and I don’t think I have to hide that. There are so many layers to body image—how we feel about ourselves often runs deeper than pregnancy or post-surgery changes. Society, social media, and even well-meaning family and friends can place unhelpful pressures on us, leaving us feeling like we need to look a certain way. Yet, through this process, I’ve learned that self-acceptance comes from within. It’s about learning to value who I am at every stage.
This journey has reminded me that real strength is about inner resilience and self-acceptance. Body image struggles and self-doubt aren’t always caused by external changes; they often stem from deeper feelings that predate pregnancy or surgery. The pressure to conform to society’s expectations can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t define me. Instead, I’m finding strength in knowing that my self-worth isn’t tied to perfection but to how I feel inside.
The journey isn’t over, and I’m grateful for that. I’m learning to enjoy the process, to honor my body for what it can do, and to embrace both the triumphs and the challenges along the way. I don’t need to reach perfection to be proud of myself—just showing up, pushing forward, and appreciating my body is enough.
If there’s one takeaway from my Hyrox journey, it’s that we’re often capable of more than we realise. Shifting my mindset to focus on the journey rather than the destination has changed everything for me. I’m excited to continue this journey, to build strength, to face new challenges, and to celebrate each step forward. For anyone else on a similar path, know that real strength is in your resilience and your willingness to show up, flaws and all.