The World Cup season has kicked off, and I found myself feeling more nervous than ever with a new team and bike. As an introvert, I was uncertain of my standing and relied on the support of my crew. My soft tissue therapist, Gregg Coombes, has always been instrumental in keeping my morale high and believes in managing the process to be fast by the end of the weekend. Watching me evolve from a closed-off individual to a more open person has been a significant part of my growth, although I acknowledge that there is still much for me to learn.
On the other hand, my training buddy and friend, Lisa Baumann, is also on a journey of improvement. We spend a considerable amount of time pushing each other and hanging out between races. At World Cups, we ride together and try out different lines. Without Lisa’s encouragement and collaborative training efforts, I wouldn’t push myself as hard early on in the weekend. Our friendship and collective growth have been critical in my development as an athlete.
Overall, both Gregg and Lisa have played vital roles in my growth as an athlete during this World Cup season. Their support and guidance have helped me become more confident and focused on achieving my goals. As I continue to improve, I look forward to working with them again in future competitions.