The Rich Roll Podcast

Chelsea Sodaro’s Biggest Victory Isn’t Kona—It’s Her Well-Being

Dec 14, 2023

Chelsea Sodaro, the first American woman in 25 years to win the Ironman World Championship, opens up about her journey through motherhood and mental health challenges. She shares her struggles with anxiety and the importance of seeking help, emphasizing that even champions face significant battles. The conversation highlights the need for better support and equity for female athletes, the role of storytelling in sports, and the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. Chelsea advocates for systemic changes in athletics to empower women and balance personal ambitions with motherhood.

01:55:59

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Episode guests

Chelsea Sodaro

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Quick takeaways

Chelsea emphasizes the need for better mental health resources, particularly for mothers.

Chelsea calls for greater equity and support for new mothers in the sports industry.

Chelsea highlights the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and the need for accessible mental health support for new mothers.

The episode emphasizes the need for tailored strategies and treatment to manage OCD for optimal athletic performance.

Deep dives

The Journey to Finding Balance

Chelsea Segaro shares her experience of being a new mother and a professional triathlete. She talks about the challenges she faced with postpartum anxiety and depression, as well as the difficulty in accessing mental health support. Chelsea emphasizes the need for better mental health resources, particularly for mothers. She highlights the importance of self-care and pursuing one's passion while balancing motherhood.

Overcoming Challenges in Athletic Performance

02:28

Balancing Priorities as a Parent and Athlete

00:37

Making Decisions Without Fear

00:36

The importance of trust in executing a plan

01:20

Intro

3min

Navigating Success and Motherhood in Athletics

2min

Resilience in Triathlon: A Personal Journey

17min

Balancing Motherhood and Athletic Ambition

17min

The Struggle Between Identity and Recovery in Competitive Sports

5min

Navigating Triumph and Vulnerability

15min

The Power of Storytelling in Elite Athletics and Motherhood

2min

The Balance of Athletic Pursuits and Motherhood

2min

Balancing Motherhood and Elite Athletics

5min

10.

Navigating Mental Health and Performance

14min

11.

Championing Female Equity and Mental Health in Sports

2min

12.

Empowering Women in Triathlon

8min

13.

Balancing Performance and Well-Being

21min

14.

Embracing Transformation

6min

15.

Encouragement and Resources for Listeners

2min

We love to celebrate professional athletes as superheroes. But even world champions are human.

Just 18 months after giving birth, in 2022 Chelsea Sodaro became the first American woman in 25 years to win the Ironman World Championship and the first Kona-crowned rookie since Chrissie Wellington’s victory in 2007. It was a new-mom-Cinderella story that travelled beyond the endurance press to the mainstream, positioning her as a powerful and inspiring voice for female athletes and young moms all across the world.

But just as she reached the highest echelon of success, Chelsea began to face a challenge far more difficult than Kona. The periodic bouts with mental health that had visited her in the past came roaring back in the form of an acute anxiety disorder that made it difficult for her to leave the house, left her bereft, unable to train, and prone to suicidal ideation.

Refusing to accept debilitation, Chelsea sought help for a problem her champion mindset alone simply couldn't solve. Today Chelsea shares her story with laudable openness and vulnerability.

In this conversation we discuss the tools Chelsea relies upon to confront and manage her mental health struggles, why she decided to reach out for help, and why sharing her experience publicly has been and continues to be integral to her recovery.

In addition, we discuss Chelsea’s journey to triathlon, the current state of gender equity in the sport, and how we can better support female athletes and make sport more accessible to all.

Chelsea also shares the mindset that has propelled her success and why she actively makes decisions based on love, joy, and possibility rather than fear.

Note: Today we discuss mental health issues some might find confronting. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. You can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, know you’re not alone. I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1(800) 273-TALK.

I have so much respect for Chelsea’s strength, courage, and vulnerability.

Chelsea’s story is powerful. I’m proud to help amplify it. And our shared hope is that it helps those in need and serves to further normalize the discourse around mental health.

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