Orla Chennaoui on overcoming L'Etape du Femmes, the explosion of woman's cycling, and harnessing her superpower | Watts Occurring Femmes |
1Digest
This podcast features Ola Shanawwee, a former triple jump champion turned sports broadcaster, reflecting on her recent experiences and career. She details the grueling Étape du Tour, highlighting both the physical and, surprisingly, the mental challenges, including the impact of negative self-talk. Ola discusses her training regimen, the difficulties of balancing training with work and family, and her honest feelings about the process. She then shifts to the remarkable growth of women's cycling, sharing her observations from the Tour de France Femmes and expressing optimism for the future of the sport. Ola also recounts her career transition, emphasizing her approach to covering various sports with authenticity and vulnerability. Finally, she introduces her passion project, "10 Times Braver," focusing on bravery, Stoic philosophy (Memento Mori/Memento Vivere), and living authentically, offering advice on managing anxiety and embracing inner strength.
Outlines
Introduction and Ola Shanawwee's Recent Journey
The podcast introduces Ola Shanawwee, highlighting her achievements in women's sports media. The conversation begins by discussing her recent return home after a busy five-week period, including participation in the men's Tour de France and the Étape du Tour.
The Brutal Étape du Tour Experience
Ola details her experience in the Étape du Tour, describing it as the hardest thing she's ever done. She discusses the unexpected challenges, including a category one climb she wasn't prepared for, and the impact of the weather conditions. She also reflects on the mental and physical aspects of the challenge.
Mental vs. Physical Challenges of the Étape
Ola reflects on the mental and physical challenges of the Étape du Tour, emphasizing the surprising impact of negative self-talk during training. She describes the emotional toll of pushing her limits and the feeling of failure before ultimately finding strength to complete the climb.
Training and Future Challenges
Ola discusses her training regimen for the Étape du Tour, revealing the difficulties of balancing training with work and family responsibilities. She honestly shares her feelings about the training process, admitting she didn't enjoy it, and discusses her future plans, including a family holiday and the Vuelta.
The Tour de France Femmes and the Growth of Women's Cycling
Ola shares her experience watching the Tour de France Femmes live, emphasizing the incredible atmosphere and the significant growth of women's cycling. She reflects on the evolution of the sport, from limited media coverage to widespread celebration and fan engagement.
Ola's Journey from Triple Jump Champion to Sports Broadcaster
Ola recounts her journey from a successful triple jump champion to a prominent sports broadcaster, detailing her transition into sports reporting and her growing passion for cycling. She discusses her unique perspective as an outsider looking in, emphasizing the importance of connecting with viewers.
Working Across Different Sports and Maintaining Authenticity
Ola discusses her approach to covering various sports, highlighting her role as a facilitator of conversation rather than an expert. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and honesty in her work and on social media, sharing her personal experiences and vulnerabilities.
10 Times Braver and Living Authentically
Ola introduces her passion project, "10 Times Braver," focusing on bravery, Stoic philosophy, and living authentically. She shares her strategies for managing anxiety and encourages listeners to embrace their own power and live life on their terms.
The Evolution of Women's Cycling and Future Prospects
Ola discusses the dramatic growth of women's cycling, reflecting on the changes she's witnessed throughout her career. She expresses optimism about the future of the sport, anticipating increased investment, more professional teams, and a larger fan base.
Keywords
Étape du Tour
The amateur cycling event held annually on a stage of the Tour de France route. A significant challenge for both amateur and professional cyclists.
Women's Cycling
The competitive cycling sport featuring female athletes. Experiencing rapid growth in popularity, media coverage, and professionalization.
Authenticity
The quality of being genuine and true to oneself. Important in personal life and professional settings, particularly in media and sports.
Negative Self-Talk
Internal dialogue characterized by criticism and self-doubt. Can significantly impact performance and well-being, especially in challenging situations.
Resilience
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; crucial for athletes and individuals facing adversity. Often involves mental and physical strength.
Sports Media
The industry encompassing reporting, broadcasting, and analysis of sporting events. Undergoing significant changes with the rise of digital media and social media.
Memento Mori/Memento Vivere
Stoic philosophy concepts; "Remember you must die" and "Remember you must live," emphasizing the importance of living authentically and appreciating life's brevity.
Tour de France Femmes
The women's edition of the Tour de France cycling race.
Q&A
What was the most challenging aspect of the Étape du Tour for you?
The mental challenge, specifically negative self-talk, proved more difficult than the physical demands.
How has the landscape of women's cycling changed since you started your career?
Dramatic growth in popularity, media coverage, sponsorships, and professionalization.
What is your advice for people struggling with anxiety or self-doubt?
Practice self-compassion, focus on inner strength, and utilize techniques like box breathing.
What are your predictions for the future of women's cycling?
Continued growth, increased investment, more professional teams, and a larger fan base.
Show Notes
Manon and Emma welcomed cycling royalty to the pod this week: Orla Chennaoui.
Orla was fresh off a remarkable day on the bike, taking on L'Etape du Tour de France Femmes.
Their chat started with that and then headed into incredibly inspirational territory.
Orla is a star, and it was our pleasure to welcome her to the pod.
Watts Occurring Femmes is brought to you by Rouvy, and hosted by Pinarello.
Want a free month on ROUVY, on us? Use code FEMMES when you sign up and explore everything ROUVY has to offer. SIGN UP HERE: https://rouvy.com/?utm_source=gtcc&utm_medium=direct-buy&utm_campaign=rouvy-brand&utm_term=femmes-podcast
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