Olympic Cyclist Emma Pooley on Gender Equality, Nutrition and Performance in Sports

Jan 13, 2026

41:59

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Emma Pooley is an incredibly accomplished endurance athlete. With a diverse sporting career that includes cycling, road racing, triathlon, and mountain running, Emma has represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games three times, winning a silver medal in the time trial at the Beijing Olympics and becoming a world time trial champion.

In this episode, Emma shares her journey from being labelled "not sporty" in school to discovering her passion for running and then transitioning to cycling after injury. She opens up about overcoming fears, the challenges of success and failure, and her experiences with eating disorders and the importance of proper fuelling as a female athlete. Emma also discusses her advocacy for gender equality in cycling, including her role in campaigning for the Women's Tour de France.

Additionally, we dive into her new book, Oats to Joy, which combines memoir and recipes, showcasing her love for food and its role in athletic performance. Emma shares some of her favourite recipes and the importance of nourishing the body for optimal performance.

Whether you're an athlete, a sports enthusiast, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, mindset, and the power of self-compassion.

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This episode is sponsored by @physiquemgmt. Use code lemon10 for a 10% discount on their website. (Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or promotions, and exclusions apply to select high-value items.)