When Success Conceals Struggle

The disconnect between public victory and private battles is perhaps nowhere more evident than in Chelsea Sodaro's story. Her triumphant win at Kona—crossing the finish line in just under 8 hours and 34 minutes after completing a grueling 140-mile test of endurance—made headlines worldwide. The images of her celebrating with her husband Steve and daughter Skylar became iconic symbols of what's possible for athlete mothers.

Yet Sodaro reveals a different reality: "I honestly believe that if I had had access to better support right after my daughter was born, to help me navigate all of our breastfeeding struggles, to help me navigate these early signs of postpartum anxiety... or easier access to mental health resources, maybe it wouldn't have gone on for two years until I found myself in a very serious crisis."

Her experience reflects a broader challenge facing high-achieving women. Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, but the rates may be even higher among professional women who face intense pressure to "bounce back" quickly after childbirth. The stigma surrounding mental health struggles, particularly for those in high-visibility roles, often prevents women from seeking the support they need.

Sodaro's honesty about her mental health struggles serves as a crucial reminder that success and suffering aren't mutually exclusive. Recognizing the early warning signs—persistent anxiety, difficulty bonding with your baby, overwhelming feelings of inadequacy—is the first step toward getting help.

Redefining Independence

Though triathlon competition is technically an individual sport, Sodaro's success story is really about teamwork. She's assembled a comprehensive support network that includes coaches, a physical therapist, a sports psychologist, a massage therapist, an aerodynamics specialist, and more.

"I never expected myself to be in a leadership role like this," Sodaro admits. "If you're leading the charge, you better show up with a super positive attitude and be working to bring out the best in yourself and the best in other people around you."

The most significant team member might be her husband Steve, who left his firefighting career to become a stay-at-home dad when finding adequate childcare proved problematic. This family sacrifice enabled Sodaro's career to flourish while ensuring their daughter received the care she needed.

For working mothers in any field, Sodaro's approach offers a blueprint for building your own "performance team":

• Identify your core support roles: Who handles logistics, provides emotional support, offers professional guidance, and manages daily operations?
• Don't try to fill every role yourself: Delegate tasks that others can handle more efficiently.
• Invest in professional help: Whether it's therapy, coaching, or specialized services, professional support is often worth the investment.
• Communicate your needs clearly: Your team can only help if they understand what you need.

The key insight is that even in seemingly individual pursuits, success depends on having the right people in your corner.

Transforming Toddler Tantrums into Championship Mantras

One of Sodaro's most powerful tools emerged from an unlikely source: her toddler's behavior. When faced with her daughter's frequent "no, no, no" outbursts, Sodaro developed a counter-mantra: "Yes, yes, yes."

This simple phrase became her go-to mental tool during races, helping her push through pain, navigate challenging terrain, and overcome obstacles like getting kicked in the head during the swim portion of a triathlon.

"So often in life we're faced with these pivotal moments of decisions where we can either choose the hard path or we can give up on ourselves a little bit," she explains. "So I remind myself... that I am really there to challenge myself and say yes, when things get tough."

Research supports the power of positive self-talk in improving performance and resilience. Studies show that affirmations can reduce stress, improve problem-solving abilities, and increase persistence in challenging situations.

Developing Your Own Performance Mantra

To create an effective personal mantra:

1. Keep it simple: Short phrases are easier to remember under pressure.
2. Make it personal: Choose words that resonate with your values and goals.
3. Practice regularly: Use your mantra during smaller challenges to build the habit.
4. Focus on action: Choose phrases that encourage forward movement rather than just positive thinking.
5. Test different options: What works in one situation might not work in another.

Sodaro's "Yes, yes, yes" works because it's immediate, actionable, and represents a choice to embrace rather than resist difficulty.

From Crisis to Opportunity: Making Bold Career Moves

Sodaro's path to triathlon wasn't planned. After a disappointing performance at the 2016 Olympic trials in track and field, she faced what she calls "a bit of an existential crisis," uncertain whether she could maintain her sponsorships and continue making money as a professional athlete.

When her husband suggested trying triathlons, she decided to pivot completely. The timing seemed impossible—she was 30, starting a new sport, and planning to have a baby. Yet these apparent disadvantages became strengths.

The pandemic created an unexpected opportunity: when racing was suspended, Sodaro used the time to start her family, planning to return to competition when events resumed. This strategic timing allowed her to navigate early motherhood without missing critical racing seasons.

Framework for Evaluating Major Career Changes

• Assess your transferable skills: Sodaro's endurance background translated well to triathlon.
• Consider external timing: Market conditions, industry changes, or life circumstances can create opportunities.
• Evaluate your support system: Major changes require more support, not less.
• Plan for the learning curve: Expect to be a beginner again and budget time for skill development.
• Trust your instincts: Sometimes logical analysis isn't enough—you need to trust your gut.

The key is recognizing that what looks like a setback might actually be setup for something better.

Winning for More Than Yourself

Sodaro's success has become a platform for advocating for systemic change in her sport. Through her "Unlocking Yes" initiative, she partners with For All Mothers+, a nonprofit working to support women athletes in motherhood through grants, policy advocacy, and practical support like lactation stations and childcare at major races.

"I never expected myself to be in a leadership role like this," she says, but her visibility has created opportunities to address the structural barriers that make it difficult for athlete mothers to compete at the highest levels.

Leveraging Success for Systemic Change

• Identify the barriers others face: What obstacles did you overcome that others still encounter?
• Start small but be consistent: Regular advocacy efforts often have more impact than one-time gestures.
• Partner with existing organizations: You don't need to create new initiatives from scratch.
• Use your platform, however small: Even minor visibility can amplify important messages.
• Share your story honestly: Authentic experiences resonate more than polished success narratives.

The goal isn't to become an activist overnight, but to recognize that individual success can be a tool for collective progress.

The Compound Effect of Mental Health Investment

As Sodaro prepares for the 2025 Ironman World Championship, she's applying the same systematic approach to mental health that she brings to physical training. Working with a sports psychologist, maintaining her "Yes, yes, yes" practice, and continuing to build her support network are as important as logging training miles.

"I want to see what I can do and what's possible," she says. "I've enjoyed the process so much, and in that way I feel like I'm a winner."

This perspective shift—from outcome-focused to process-focused thinking—is perhaps her most valuable insight for anyone dealing with high-pressure situations.

Your Next Steps

Chelsea Sodaro's journey from postpartum crisis to world championship victory offers a roadmap for anyone facing the intersection of ambitious goals and challenging life circumstances. Her strategies work because they're practical, sustainable, and focused on building systems rather than relying on willpower alone.

Start by assessing your current support network—who's on your team, and what roles need to be filled? Develop your own performance mantra for tough moments, keeping it simple and action-oriented. Consider how your professional success can contribute to positive change in your field, even in small ways. And most importantly, prioritize mental health resources as part of your success strategy, not as a luxury to be addressed later.

To support your own triathlon journey, consider investing in quality gear that can enhance your performance. A reliable GPS running watch can help you track your training progress, while proper swim goggles ensure comfort during those crucial swim sessions. Don't forget about recovery—magnesium supplements can support muscle recovery and overall wellness.

The goal isn't to replicate Sodaro's exact path, but to apply her systematic approach to building resilience, creating support systems, and redefining what winning looks like in your own life.

As more women navigate the complex balance between career ambitions and family responsibilities, stories like Sodaro's provide both inspiration and practical guidance. The message is clear: with the right team, tools, and mindset, peak performance after major life changes isn't just possible—it might be exactly what unlocks your greatest potential.