For elite athletes like Skipper, their identity is often tightly intertwined with their performance. When expectations aren't met, especially after a history of high achievements, it can lead to a significant psychological toll. Skipper's troubles began with a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Ironman 70.3 Swansea in July 2024. To most, a near-podium finish would be commendable, but for Skipper, it was a stark deviation from his usual standards.

The situation worsened with a subsequent DNF (Did Not Finish) at IRONMAN Lake Placid, compounding the disappointment from Swansea. "That was probably the biggest low of my career," Skipper confessed. "It felt like a cascade of failures, and it was the lowest I'd felt in my entire triathlon career."

The back-to-back disappointments brought Skipper to a critical juncture, a scenario familiar to many elite athletes. The disparity between the effort in training and the outcomes in races led to a crisis of confidence, making him question his future in the sport.

"It was a horrible time," Skipper admitted. "Training was going well, but I couldn't translate it into my races. That dissonance was mentally exhausting."

Sports psychologists highlight that such moments of doubt are not uncommon among high-level athletes. The real question often becomes not about the ability to compete but whether the emotional and physical toll is worth continuing.

Amidst these professional challenges, Skipper was also battling a significant physical hurdle—a swimming injury that severely restricted his training in one of the triathlon's critical disciplines. "I was out of the water for six weeks, which drastically affected my preparation," he revealed.

When he resumed swimming, it was a slow and frustrating process, far from the intensive training regimen required for IRONMAN competitions. "Initially, I could only manage 2k in the pool," he said, a stark contrast to the 20-30km per week that elite competitors typically swim.

Despite the setbacks, Skipper's resilience shone through at IRONMAN New Zealand in March 2025, where he secured a second-place finish—his first podium since 2023, and impressively, seven minutes faster than his 2020 victory on the same course.

"This race was a massive step in the right direction," he reflected. "It was more than just a return to form; it was a significant mental victory that showed me I could overcome the hurdles that seemed insurmountable just a few months prior."

Skipper's comeback is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of strategic recovery. His experience underscores several key lessons for athletes and non-athletes alike:

1. Resilience is as much mental as it is physical: Recovery isn't just about healing physical injuries but also about overcoming psychological barriers.
2. Setbacks can be transformative: Challenges often provide valuable lessons that contribute to personal and professional growth.
3. A strategic approach to recovery is crucial: Rather than rushing back to full competition, a measured approach can yield better long-term results.

With renewed confidence, Skipper is now eyeing the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice, focusing his efforts on this pinnacle event rather than spreading himself thin across the circuit. This targeted approach reflects his growth and the wisdom gleaned from his recent challenges.