Pedals and Submissions: Sarah Thackray

Dynamic Life Cycles

What happens when a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion trades the mats for the open road? Join us as Sarah Thackray shares her exhilarating journey from dominating jiu-jitsu tournaments to conquering road cycling races.

Sarah recounts her accidental introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sparked by getting off at the wrong bus stop. This serendipitous moment led her to a new athletic passion, eventually propelling her to train in Brazil and compete at the highest levels. She delves into the mental and physical rigors of jiu-jitsu tournaments, drawing intriguing parallels with other high-adrenaline sports and emphasizing the critical need for calm and focus under pressure. Her dedication and personal sacrifices on the path to becoming a world champion offer inspiring lessons for anyone passionate about sports.

Sarah’s story doesn’t stop at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; she takes us through her transition into mountain biking and the challenges of navigating a severe injury just weeks into her newfound love. Her resilience shines through as she discusses how structured training aided her recovery and led to a successful stint in enduro racing.

Pivoting again, Sarah is now road cycling with the Diversion Road Bike Club, highlighting her recent participation in the Whistler Granfondo and the unique challenges she faced. She offers a wealth of insights into race strategy and the importance of determination and adaptability, culminating in her hitting her time goal precisely, despite starting at the back of the pack.

Beyond her physical pursuits, Sarah opens up about her battle with eating disorders and her journey toward finding nutritional balance to support her athletic endeavors.

Reach out and get in contact with me here.

Thank you for listening

• Get in touch via my Instagram
• Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

Kapitler

1. Road Cycling and Jiu Jitsu Champion (00:00:00)

2. Journey to Jiu Jitsu Excellence (00:07:26)

3. Competing in Jiu Jitsu Tournaments (00:18:41)

4. Mountain Biking Mishap and Toe Injury (00:26:44)

5. Mountain Biking to Road Riding Transition (00:34:41)

6. Navigating Dietary Changes in Athletic Endeavors (00:38:30)

7. Overcoming Eating Disorder & Dietary Challenges (00:50:43)