Jessie Hodges : Driven to Ride

This episode I sit down with New Zealand track cyclist Jessie Hodges. Jessie is going to be competing at the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo. When most people think of Olympic athletes they assume a lifetime of dedication to their chosen sport, with Jessie this definitely isn't the case. She only developed a passion and drive for the sport of cycling when she suffered a serious knee injury in her last year of high school competing in her then, chosen sport of netball. It was the hours spent on a stationary bike during her rehabilitation that fuelled a fire in her that has seen her go on to represent New Zealand within her first two years in the sport and now become an Olympic athlete. During this podcast we discuss some great topics and get an insight into the life of an extremely promising Olympic athlete. From her sporting childhood and extremely supportive family to her four world cup medals in her first year of international competition, what drew her to track cycling and her rapid rise in the sport. We also discuss dealing with concussion and the dangers of track racing, the focus she has on her mental skills, her hatred of peanut butter, training with New Zealand high performance, the beauty in enjoying the moments and so much more.