This episode of the 4TG podcast features an inspiring conversation with elite Australian sprinter, Fia Fighera. Fia, who has been ranked seventh in Australia for the 200m in the Opens and has won national medals, shares her powerful journey through a career fraught with significant injuries. She opens up about the immense mental toll of being injured for four years in a row, describing the time when she felt "depressed and sad" and how she found herself wanting to quit.

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Key Takeaways

Fia's experience highlights the power of resilience in overcoming career-threatening injuries.

She stresses that injury, though devastating, can be a catalyst for growth and reflection, forcing athletes to look at their self-worth beyond performance.

Fia advocates for quality over quantity in sprinting

She also shares that teaching the fundamentals of proper sprinting technique is vital for junior athletes across all sports.

Episode Highlights

Fia details the devastating moment she tore her hamstring 50 meters into a race while trying to qualify for the World Juniors when she was 18, losing her chance at her first Australian team.

This was a "really horrible injury" that was mentally difficult.

Fia explains her current training strategy, which involves sprinting only twice a week and lifting weights twice a week to prioritize recovery and reduce re-injury risk.

Fia, who is a PT and speed coach, shares how coaching has motivated her and improved her own performance by reinforcing technical concepts and giving her a purpose that is "bigger than you".

Timestamps

00:03:11 - First major injury: hamstring tear & missing World Juniors

00:06:19 - Four years of injuries begin: fractured tibia & stress fracture

00:08:12 - Mental toll of injury and developing a strong mindset

00:09:30 - Building a life and hobbies outside of athletics

00:12:28 - Finding the motivation to not give up

00:13:49 - Tenacity beats talent

00:22:22 - Balancing work, bu

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