How She Does It EP 59: Ironman Champion Chelsea Sodaro On Saying “Yes” To Pushing Through Discomfort & Achieving Greatness
Being an elite athlete like Chelsea Sodaro requires a unique level of commitment. It’s about training full-time, year-round, for a handful of marquee races. None is bigger than the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaiʻi, a grueling 140-mile triathlon (a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race, plus a full 26.2-mile marathon). In 2022, her rookie year, Chelsea not only outperformed her professional competitors, crossing the finish line in just under 8 hours and 34 minutes, but she did so just 18 months after giving birth to her daughter Skylar. In the process, Chelsea became only the second mother to win at Kona.
On this episode, Chelsea joins Karen Finerman to share how she rose to the top of her sport while overcoming postpartum anxiety and depression, struggles that were compounded by her difficulty with breastfeeding and finding reliable childcare. Now, as Chelsea prepares for the 2025 Ironman World Championship, she is using her platform to make her sport a more welcoming and equitable place for new mothers.
💬 In this episode, we explore:
- How Chelsa is approaching her 4th Ironman World Championship
- Chelsea’s strategies and mantra for pushing through discomfort and pain
- Why Chelsea views the triathlon’s swim as the toughest leg of the race, and how she trains for it
- How Chelsea has embraced the role of boss of her team, which includes coaches, dieticians, equipment specialists, and more
- The sacrifices Chelsea’s family has made for her to compete at this level
- Chelsea’s perspective on how professional athletes are changing the conversation about sport and mental health
- Why Chelsea views her marriage as a key component of her professional success
Resources: Visit Chelsea Sodaro’s website
🔗 For Information on the “Unlocking Yes” Weekend
🔗 For information on the 2025 Iroman World Championship
📸 Follow Chelsea Sodaro on Instagram
📸 Follow the show on Instagram: @hsdipodcast
🎧 New episodes of How She Does It drop every Tuesday. Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode.
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