Athlete Profile - Richard Smith

Richard Smith – Triathlon

Age: 41

What first drew you to your sport?

Inspired by a friend who was in a dark place and turned his life around by training for an Ironman.

What are you currently working towards?

Ironman Tours Métropole in June.

What helps you show up on the days motivation is low?

“The knowledge that who I become will be defined more by the days that I show up when I don’t want to than it will ever be by the days I want to do it.”

How do you look after yourself alongside training?

I have found yoga to be a real help with training, recovery and all-round wellness.

What are you most proud of so far?

Just turning my life around completely. Becoming the best version of myself rather than the worst.

One piece of advice for someone starting out?

Just do the hard things. The best fitness hack I’ve ever been given is that there is no hack — you have to do the work. The rewards are greater than you will ever realise.