Rachel Neylan is an Australian professional road cyclist. She won a silver medal at the 2012 World Championships in the women’s road race event is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started at a very young age of eight years at Ryde little Athletics Club in Sydney and reached the pinnacle of success by winning second position at the Union Cycliste Internationale World Championships in September 2012. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Rachel Neylan:
Yes, indeed I started athletic life at a young age but in a completely different sport. The one key ingredient that rises above all else is a sincere passion and deep desire to succeed in sport and represent Australia.
I have always been a persistent and hard worker, even when I did not win a running race I was always passionate about my application to try and improve my performances and never gave up – this is what led me on the path to searching for the ‘optimal’ sport where I could channel this desire, passion and work ethic..
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your life changing work trip in August 2007 when in Lausanne Switzerland at the Olympic Museum reading ancient Greek quotes and also from greats like Muhammad Ali. You was ignited and made competitive professional cycling as your career ?
Ms. Rachel Neylan:
Yes! This was a culmination of a two year journey being restless in my work and ultimate realisation that I was on the wrong side of the fence being the physiotherapist. I was purely envious of the world class athletes I was working with and knew I had inside me something similar. I told myself they were no different, they had just committed and had a plan. This trip prompted me to ask the hard question ‘what do I really want’. The experience at the Olympic museum confirmed this – a feeling I cannot explain, it was a deep gut instinct something I knew then and there I had to act on. I didn’t know at that point what sport I would direct my energy towards I just knew I was ready to search, find and commit.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Rachel Neylan:
I train on the bike 6-7 times per week from 2-6 hours per day depending on the time of year, intensity of the workloads and racing schedule. A recovery ride is 1-2h and a tough session is a 6h ride with hill climbing intervals, an average day is 4hours with varying intervals of power work in the hills. I also do gym sessions, stability training, yoga and flexibility sessions. I am a big advocate for doing what exercise you love. If it is a chore then it is less likely to sync in to your routine. Small pockets of time for some floor core / balance / body weight exercises are a great way to keen all round body strength and balance which don’t require any equipment and ideal for on the road.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Rachel Neylan:
Generally I eat according to my energy requirements, more on a heavy training day and less on lighter training days. It is imperative in my sport to remain lean but strong with good healthy muscle to generate power. A balanced diet of fresh quality local meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit is my staple. I limit any packaged foods as a general rule. The timing of food is imperative, I eat within 1h of finishing training and make sure I have at least 20 grams of protein in this window.
Video
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
