In this candid conversation, Olympic medalist and author Clara Hughes reveals how the “push‑through” mindset that powered her six Olympic medals became a hidden coping mechanism that left her exhausted, burned out, and struggling through menopause.
Clara shares the pivotal moments—injury, perimenopause, and a forced break—that forced her to confront the limits of “movement as medicine” and discover a more compassionate, mindful approach to performance and well‑being.
Listeners will walk away with practical tools to recognize when their drive is serving them versus sabotaging them, and learn how to cultivate sustainable resilience in both business and life.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the signs that high‑performance habits have turned into avoidance or experiential escape.
- Use forced rest (injury, illness, life transition) as an opportunity to re‑evaluate your relationship with movement and work.
- Adopt “movement as mindful self‑care” instead of a relentless performance metric.
- Simple daily practices: 5‑10 minute morning meditation, regular body‑check‑ins, and playful, joy‑focused exercise.
- Leverage a support network (coach, therapist, trusted friends) to safely explore vulnerability and inner healing.
Six-time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes became the only athlete to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Games. She is a member of the Order of Manitoba and an officer of the Order of Canada, has received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Clara was Canada’s flag bearer for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. She was the founding spokesperson for Bell Canada’s Let’s Talk initiative, a campaign dedicated to breaking down the stigma of mental health. In 2014, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross, which recognizes those whose outstanding personal commitment has brought honour to Canada. In 2022, she was named an Olympian for Life in recognition of her making the world a better place by promoting the Olympic Values at every stage of her life. Clara lives with her husband, Peter, on Vancouver Island, and continues to enjoy bike touring and hiking.
Links & Resources
Clara’s book: Learning to Breathe – find it at independent Canadian bookstores, Indigo, or Amazon (US).
Clara’s Instagram: @claraannehughes
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