Search
shop

American Olympic medalist says David Goggins book helped her bounce back to World Cup success

Katie Zaferes reveals that she was inspired by the words of David Goggins ahead of her second place finish at the World Triathlon Cup in Hong Kong last weekend.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

After a disappointing race, it is only natural for negative thoughts to sometimes feel overwhelming. For Katie Zaferes, bouncing back from a DNF at the Americas Triathlon Championship in Miami was a tall order.

However, after successfully finishing on the podium at the World Triathlon Cup in Hong Kong last weekend, the American said that the words of author and ultra runner David Goggins helped her overcome her self-doubt.

Taking inspiration from Goggins’ best selling book “Can’t Hurt Me”, the Tokyo Olympic medalist managed to get back on track and shared on Instagram that she is raring to go and ready to continue chasing her goals.

Advertisement

“Bad races can cause a lot of doubt”

Having taken time off from the sport to give birth to her first child, Zaferes has been working hard to rise through the rankings since last season and put herself in contention for a spot on the Paris Olympic Games team.

Katie Zaferes, Alice Betto Paris Test Event 2023 run

In her first race of the season in Miami, the former world champion led off the bike, but then struggled in the heat and humidity and eventually withdrew from the race and missed out on valuable Olympic ranking points.

“Bad races can cause a lot of doubt and a lot of these last weeks was managing the mental side of things after Miami and not letting that doubt takeover.

“This week my choice of reading was David Goggins “Can’t Hurt Me” and while I have conflicted feelings about him and his delivery (he’s very full on and explicit so it was hard for me to read), I did happen to find a lot of nuggets that definitely resonated.”

“Excited to have another go”

Thanks in part to the wisdom of Goggins, Zaferes managed her doubts in Hong Kong and came home in second behind Britain’s Sian Rainsley. Not letting the result in Miami consume her, she said, played a big role in the positive outcome.

Katie Zaferes World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar press 2023 Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

“Not letting that race define me, and going back to the times in my career where I’ve rebounded after the biggest disappointments helped to shift my perspective and set me up to execute in a way I envisioned by coming into this race more confidently.”

Zaferes said she is “excited to have another go” and will now focus on making the start list for WTCS Yokohama in May, where the two remaining slots on Team USA for Paris alongside Taylor Knibb will be decided.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...