Chrissie Wellington on… Beating body confidence issues

Feel self-conscious in a tri-suit? You’re definitely not alone, and many athletes deal with the same concerns. Even pros, with their toned physiques, sometimes feel inadequate, insecure and anxious. I speak from personal experience.

For some of my young adult years I hated my external body. I compared myself to others. I would stand in front of the mirror, my mind full of criticism at the image staring back. Even as a pro I would look at my peers and worry that they looked so much stronger, more toned or fitter than me. But, really, our bodies are not the external form, but the internal – muscles, bones, blood, tendons and, of course, the mind.

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Our focus should be less on what our bodies look like, and more on what we can do with them each and every day. Our bodies and minds enable us to achieve great things. That holistic perspective is what enabled me to slowly develop an appreciation for the mirrored image.

Whether I fit into small, medium or large items of Lycra or am 9st 1lb or 9st 7lb is irrelevant: it’s whether those pounds are serving my goals that truly matters. I’ve seen enough six packs walking an Ironman marathon to know that toned ab muscles don’t always lead to better performances.

It’s not a beauty contest that you’re entering. It’s a test of mind. The focus must be on training the brain so that it’s capable of withstanding self-doubt, wobbles in self-esteem, adversity and discomfort. Developing that inner confidence to wear your tri-suit with pride is part of this amazing journey. It’s part of the triathlon challenge. One we all take.

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It’s not about vanity – it’s about having the self-assurance to a) set a goal and b) go out there and achieve it in clothes that you can be both physically and emotionally comfortable in. Never forget that you’re doing something that so many would not dare to do. That is, enter triathlons. This means you have courage and confidence.

The next step is to try to view your body less as an external ‘visual’ image and more as an amazing vehicle that will help you achieve this amazing sporting goal. And, like cars, these triathlon vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. Even at pro level we’re built differently, so try not to compare yourself to your peers. There’s no one ideal triathlete shape or size.

Of course, through triathlon, your body shape may alter but it’s the internal changes that are key: the development of strength in mind and body, power, and the happiness and enjoyment that comes from training and racing. You will continually develop confidence and belief through challenging yourself, testing your limits and achieving your goals.

It may also come from joining a club and leaning on those around you for support and encouragement. When I have confidence wobbles I remind myself that I am not alone in having these feelings, plus, no one is looking at me in the same way as I look at myself.

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I bet that, come race day, you’ll be more focussed on your race plan than your reflection. And what’s more, at mile 5 on the run, everyone’s in the same boat. Cameras will capture hilarious facial expressions, sweat, blood, mad hair… it’s all part of the sport!

I’ve seen people that are 80lbs and those that are 250lbs complete an Ironman. We must celebrate our individuality, and be grateful for the opportunity to do this sport, to be healthy, to race, to be with friends, visit new places and challenge ourselves.

Whether or not we have a spare few pounds around our waist shouldn’t define us, or our emotions. So please – be kind to yourself. With your body you can achieve great things, inside and out of sport. So wear that tri-suit with pride and confidence, and go get your goals!

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Chrissie Wellington Triathlon legend

About

Chrissie Wellington OBE is a retired, British professional triathlete and four-time Ironman world champion. ​ She held all three world and championship records relating to ironman triathlon races: firstly, the overall world record, secondly, the Ironman World Championship course record, and thirdly, the official world record for all Ironman-branded triathlon races over the full Ironman distance. She remains the world record holder for Ironman distance (8:18hrs). Chrissie won the Ironman World Championship in three consecutive years (2007–2009), but could not start the 2010 World Championship race because of illness. She regained the title in 2011. She is the first British athlete to hold the Ironman world title, and was undefeated in all 13 of her races over the Iron distance. She is the only triathlete, male or female, to have won the World Championship less than a year after turning professional, an achievement described by the British Triathlon Federation as "a remarkable feat, deemed to be a near impossible task for any athlete racing as a rookie at their first Ironman World Championships." Since retiring in 2012 Chrissie has completed countless endurance events, from cycling sportives, to marathons and ultra-marathons and even a cross country ski marathon or two! Chrissie was awarded a first-class degree by the University of Birmingham (BsC Geography) in 1998 and a Distinction from the University of Manchester (MA Econ Development Studies) in 2000. ​ Prior to becoming a professional athlete in 2007, she worked for the British Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as a policy adviser on international development and also managed water and sanitation projects in Nepal. Chrissie now devotes her life to work to improve individual and population health and wellbeing, and specifically interventions to increase participation in physical activity. She is the Global Lead for Health and Wellbeing for parkrun and is committed to engaging people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities in parkrun events, thereby addressing the entrenched health and wellbeing inequalities that impact many countries across the world. Chrissie published her Sunday Times Best Selling autobiography, 'A Life Without Limits', in 2012, and her second book, 'To the Finish Line: A World Champion Triathlete's Guide to Your Perfect Race', in 2017. In 2021, she co-authored and published two fully-illustrated children's wellbeing storybooks with friend and former athlete Susie Bush-Ramsey entitled 'You're so strong' and 'You're so amazing', as a means of sharing messages about belief, trust, love, friendship, trying your best and embracing change. ​ A trailblazer at heart, Chrissie is often advocating for change. In 2014 she joined three professional cyclists in campaigning for and successfully creating a women’s race at the Tour De France. Chrissie was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to sport and charity. She was also named the 2009 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and has Honorary Doctorates from the University of Birmingham and the University of Bristol. Chrissie lives with her husband, former professional athlete Tom Lowe, and their daughter Esme in a small village in Somerset.