Episode 6: Take It Seriously, Hold It Lightly with Annick Chalier

Many endurance athletes think that the path to success is a kind of inflexible and unrelenting grind, resulting in all sorts of toxic sayings such as “HTFU,” “No Pain No Gain,” or “Rise and Grind,” but the best performers in the world have a much more compassionate, curious, and patient approach.

We sit down with Annick Chalier, who has been a Campfire athlete for over a decade and a Campfire coach for the past two years. Annick came to endurance sports after deciding to get sober, spent some time as a triathlete, and then found her endurance calling, cycling. She has raced professionally domestically and abroad, won the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association’s road championship in the elite women’s field, and ridden her bike farther than this particular podcaster can count.

Annick’s journey inspired our topic today, as in her early years in the sport she could be somewhat severe towards herself during training and racing. We talk about how that changed and her consistent progress towards being happier, faster, and healthier.

After we wrap up that conversation, we give you some ideas as to how you can set yourself up for success this coming winter when you are forced to take the bike indoors.