Ida Mathilde Steensgaard - HYROX Elite from OCR World Champion
Dec 12, 2024
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Ida Mathilde Steensgaard, an elite HYROX athlete and former OCR World Champion, dives into her thrilling journey from obstacle course racing to HYROX. She shares insights on her recent performances, including her impressive qualification for the Elite 15 at the 2025 World Championships. Ida discusses her mental strategies for tackling pain during races and the essential support from Red Bull. She reflects on the transition in her training focus and the balance between competition, expectations, and personal aspirations.
Ida Mathilde Steensgaard's transition from OCR to HYROX showcases her drive to explore athletic limits and personal growth in competition.
Her partnership with Red Bull enhances her training through financial support, specialized facilities, and mental coaching, fostering resilience and performance improvement.
Steensgaard highlights the need for structured elite competitions in HYROX, suggesting broader participation to nurture the growing talent pool in the sport.
Deep dives
Ida Matilda Steensgaard's Athletic Journey
Ida Matilda Steensgaard shares her transition from participating in obstacle course racing (OCR) to focusing on High Rocks, highlighting the motivation behind her athletic pursuits. She emphasizes her desire to explore her physical and mental limits through various sports, valuing the healthy lifestyle and community that athletics provide. Steensgaard also discusses her mental strategies during races, such as exploring and analyzing her pain instead of succumbing to it, which aids her performance. This mindset reflects a deep commitment to personal growth and an appreciation for the challenges that come with competitive sports.
Training Regimen and Recent Achievements
Steensgaard recently qualified for the Elite 15 race at the 2025 Harrochs World Championships after a strong performance in Hong Kong, where she recorded a personal best time. Despite facing challenges like post-race illness and the demands of frequent competitions, she remains focused on her recovery and training. Her competitive background spans various sports, including years of handball, which has contributed to her strong athletic foundation. As she enjoys her successes, she acknowledges the need for rest and self-care, directing her energy towards future races.
Red Bull Sponsorship and Support
As a Red Bull-sponsored athlete, Steensgaard highlights the unique benefits this partnership brings to her training and competitive performance. The support from Red Bull includes financial assistance, specialized training facilities, and access to mental coaching, allowing her to enhance her skills and overcome challenges like injuries. This collaboration has transformed her experience as an athlete, providing resources that focus not only on physical performance but also on mental resilience. Additionally, she appreciates the camaraderie among athletes in the Red Bull community, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual encouragement.
Evolution of High Rocks and Competitive Landscape
Steensgaard expresses excitement about the growth and organization of the High Rocks sport, especially in terms of elite competitions. She notes that having the best athletes compete at major events fosters a healthy competitive environment, contributing to the sport's visibility and attracting more participants. However, she also suggests the potential for increasing the number of elite competitors from 15 to a broader range to better accommodate growing talent pools. The structured format of High Rocks can provide more consistent competition compared to OCR, which often features variable courses and conditions.
Future Goals and Aspirations
Ida Matilda Steensgaard looks ahead with optimism about her career in High Rocks, setting ambitious goals for her performances. She aims to finish within the one-hour mark in future races, eyeing a top-five placement at the upcoming world championships as a significant achievement. Steensgaard reflects on her consistent training improvements and the dedication she invests in her competitive journey, enjoying the grind and intensity that accompanies her sport. She remains open to the evolving nature of her training and competition, strategizing her way forward while balancing health and performance.
In this episode of the Rox Lyfe podcast we get to speak with Ida Mathilde Steensgaard (@idamathildee). Ida recently qualified for the Elite 15 race at the 2025 HYROX World Championships following her performance at the Hong Kong major. She has a PB of 62 mins in the Pro division and is a hugely exciting talent, especially as HYROX hasn’t been her primary focus for very long at all. In this chat, we talk about her recent performances, her sporting background, her training – and the changes she’s made since switching her focus from OCR to HYROX, her involvement as a Red Bull sponsored athlete and lots more.
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