Ex-triathlete and mother-to-be Nicky Samuels spoke at the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce women’s coffee morning on Wednesday (April 19) about her life as a professional athlete.

During her eleven year tenure as a triathlete, Nicky competed in both the London and Rio Olympics and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, before throwing in the towel after a sooner-than-expected pregnancy late last year. Nicky and her husband Steve Gould were told because she was an elite athlete, conception could take "a couple of years” but she was delighted to become pregnant faster than planned.

Nicky was refreshingly honest about the ups and downs of life as a professional athlete. She said for a long time her life was "eat, sleep and train” as she juggled back-to-back summers with strict training and competition schedules. Not being able to do certain activities like skiing and waterskiing for fear of injury, and missing out on holidays and trips with friends were some of the downsides.

Being successful in professional sport came down to motivation, she said. "I’m a real believer in ‘what you put your mind to you can achieve’,” Nicky said.

Attending Whangarei Girls High School, Nicky played sports and particularly enjoyed field hockey. She wanted to become a vet, but was put off by the seven-year-long course in Palmerston North, and decided instead to head to the University of Otago with her friends, where she studied physical education and teaching.

Keep fit, search gyms and pilates in Trades/Services in the Wanaka App

It was through contact with professional triathlete Sam Warriner at her summer job as a lifeguard that Nicky became interested in triathlons. She began swim training with Sam, who wanted company, and soon found herself biking and running with her too.

In 2003 Nicky competed in her first triathlon, and her third place finish meant she qualified for the World Championships. "My goal for that race [the World Championships] was not to come last,” Nicky said.

After finishing second, Nicky realised: "I might be quite good at this triathlon thing. Maybe I should give it a go.”

After finishing university and struggling to find a job in physical education, Nicky was offered a place on the TCG 79 Pro Triathlon team in France. It was the beginning of what became a very successful career as a triathlete. "It was an opportunity that changed my life and my direction, and I’m glad I took it,” she said.

As well as being a two-time Olympian, Nicky has won the 2012 ITU Triathlon World cup, the 2013 Xterra World Championships, the 2014 OTU Sprint triathlon Oceania Cup and more. She said she was lucky to be injured only twice during her sporting career, once shortly before the Rio Olympics, and despite the setback, Nicky came in at thirteenth place. "With hard work and patience you can get where you want to be,” Nicky said. Despite all the achievements during her career, Nicky seems to have no regrets since announcing her retirement in February this year.

Nicky now runs for "only an hour a day” and she hasn’t been back in the pool since discovering she was pregnant. "I originally thought I’d keep going [after having my baby] but I really just want to focus on being a mum,” Nicky said.

Nicky and her husband have just finished building a new home here in Wanaka and she’s ready for a change of pace, allowing more time with family and friends while she waits for the arrival of her baby, due in August.

PHOTO: Supplied