Episode Details

Pregnancy and Elite Athletic Performance: How Pro Cyclist Sarah Sturm and Coach Dennis Van Winden Redefine Training for Mom Athletes. Discover top pregnancy-safe training tips, real athlete-coach strategies, and how to navigate racing, metrics, mental health, and sponsorships, without missing a beat.

Elite cyclist Sarah Sturm and her coach Dennis Van Winden break new ground with a candid look at what it takes to maintain consistency, motivation, and health throughout pregnancy as a professional athlete. From adapting the athlete’s mindset to rethinking metrics and embracing Rate of Perceived Exertion, this episode delivers essential insights for female athletes (and coaches) facing the unknowns of pregnancy and postpartum return to racing.

00:00 – Mindset Shift: From Performance to Health in Pregnancy
04:07 – When Career Meets Family: Planning for Pregnancy
10:17 – Stress, Racing Seasons, and Conceiving as an Athlete
14:56 – Privacy, Career Impact, and the Athlete Mindset
17:33 – Letting Go of FTP: Embracing RPE and Subjective Training
21:02 – Nutrition & Fueling: Adapting Intake for Pregnancy Needs
22:36 – Flexible Programming: Communication and Weekly Check-ins
29:10 – Grand Prix Notification: Navigating Pregnancy in Pro Competition
31:15 – Pioneering Deferrals: Advocating for Maternity Policies
33:14 – Sponsor Support: Contracts, Clauses, and Progressive Change
35:35 – Identity Shifts: Psychological and Emotional Dynamics
38:12 – Planning the Comeback: Hopes and Unknowns for 2027
43:02 – The Coach-Athlete Relationship: Trust, Adaptability, and Support
49:03 – Data Gaps and Experimentation: Building Knowledge for Future Athletes
54:38 – Comparing Experiences: Each Pregnancy is Unique
59:46 – Postpartum Roadmap: Day-by-Day Planning for the Comeback
1:02:02 – Advice for Athletes: Building a Support System Before and During Pregnancy
1:02:41 – Closing Thoughts: Changing the Conversation about Pregnancy, Athletics, and Support