Warning: This article discusses eating disorders.<\/p>\n
New Zealand mountain bike rider Sammie Maxwell admits her mental health was challenged as she rode into history.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Maxwell became the first New Zealander to win a UCI World Series title.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old clinched the Mountain bike cross country title with a second place finish in the 10th and final round in Canada.<\/p>\n
Maxwell has been open about her\u00a0struggles with an eating disorder\u00a0and how it has affected her career.<\/p>\n
Maxwell said she was getting better at dealing with it and she needed to as she closed in on the title.<\/p>\n
Maxwell admits that the pressure and external strain she had been under in recent weeks meant that she didn’t manage her eating disorder very well.<\/p>\n
“I’m really proud that I’m in a place where I can say I’m struggling and could call my coach and call my psychologist,” Maxwell told RNZ.<\/p>\n
“I had this realisation that Sammie last year would have continued [with her] head in the sand. So, for me, the weeks where I’m able to say I’m struggling is when I’m doing well because it means I’m not ignoring those problems. If I hadn’t acknowledged my struggles at the start of the week I would not be where I am.”<\/p>\n
Maxwell had built up a sizeable lead in the series, but that had shrunk in recent weeks with the stunning late season form from World Champion Jenny Rissveds of Sweden, who won Monday’s final race.<\/p>\n
During the season, Maxwell had five wins and stood on the podium nine times.<\/p>\n
She finished 91 points clear of Rissveds and a whopping 451 point advantage over Alessandra Keller of Switzerland, who finished third overall.<\/p>\n
Maxwell has come a long way since she had to fight for selection to the Paris Olympics last year.<\/p>\n
Last July, the Sports Tribunal upheld Maxwell’s appeal over her non-nomination for the Paris Olympics, and took the rare step of nominating her directly to the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) for selection.<\/p>\n
Cycling NZ declined to nominate Maxwell for Olympics for health, rather than performance reasons.<\/p>\n
Maxwell has openly battled with eating disorders since she was a teen. The national body determined she had not shown that she had no “physical or mental impairment” that would prevent her from performing to the highest possible standard at the Olympics.<\/p>\n
Maxwell won her appeal after the Sport Tribunal ruled Cycling NZ had relied on inaccurate and out-of-date medical information in arriving at its decision.<\/p>\n
Maxwell went on to finish eighth in Paris – the best finish of her senior career.<\/p>\n
“With my background with my eating disorder and my health problems, to achieve a goal like this that stands for sustainability and consistency, almost means more than a one-off because I know how much effort has gone into making me a healthy consistent athlete.<\/p>\n
“So, for sure the series overall was a big goal one day and to have achieved it so early in my career is just incredible.”<\/p>\n
Where to get help:<\/p>\n
Eating Disorders Association of NZ: 0800 233 269.<\/p>\n
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason<\/p>\n
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357<\/p>\n
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 \/ 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends<\/p>\n
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202<\/p>\n
Samaritans: 0800 726 666<\/p>\n