Shauna Coxsey on Olympic Dreams, Mental Strength and Motherhood

What the Health

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Wednesday, 14 October 2026 - 55 minutes

This week Claira is joined by Shauna Coxsey, the most successful competition climber in British history and two-time Bouldering World Cup champion, to talk about climbing, determination, mental health, motherhood and what it really takes to be the best.Shauna opens up about the dedication, intense training and challenges behind her success, why building the right support team was so important, and how she's managed to hold on to her love of climbing despite the pressures of competing at the highest level.They explore the mental and physical demands of elite sport, the reality of competing at the Olympics during the pandemic and how Shauna dealt with injuries. Shauna also speaks openly about mental health, the importance of finding self-worth outside of your achievements and why staying at the top can be even harder than getting there.Shauna tells us how becoming a mother has changed her relationship with climbing, the challenges of balancing family life with a professional sporting career and why female athletes still face barriers when it comes to sponsorship and support. She talks about stepping away from competitive climbing, taking on some of the world's toughest outdoor climbs and why it's never too late to push yourself towards a new goalGuest: Shauna Coxsey. You can follow Shauna on Instagram here.Producer: Monica Lillis

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