Scars from the past fuel Wānaka-based champion athlete Simone Maier when she competes in gruelling races, such as the iconic 243-kilometre Kathmandu Coast to Coast multi-sport event, which she recently won for the fifth time.
At 44, Simone (nicknamed Speedy) finished in her fastest time yet of just 12 hours and 31 minutes to become one of only two women – the other is New Zealand Olympian Kathy Lynch – to ever take home first place five times.
There’s no doubting German-born Simone is both physically and mentally strong. But the latter, she says, took a long time and lots of hard work to acquire.
Her life story includes surviving sexual abuse, suicide attempts and a debilitating eating disorder.
“Bad things happened to me,” she shares. “But it all shaped me into the person I am today – not that you would wish that on anyone. It took me a long time, but I built up resilience. In endurance events, as a result of what I’ve been through, I have a higher tolerance of dealing with pain.”
As a child, Simone says she was sexually abused by a neighbour in her small Bavarian hometown. With that trauma haunting her teenage years, she dropped out of school at 15, became suicidal and developed an eating disorder. Hospitalisation to treat anorexia and months of rehab followed.
Esta historia es de la edición April 22, 2024 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 22, 2024 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
No-sew TASSEL CUSHION
Refresh your living space with this nifty number - no expertise required!
Ashia Singer's zingers! 'COOKING MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER'
The talented mum has the recipe for life’s ups and downs – and they’re all delicious
June to-do list FILL UP ON FRUIT
There’s still plenty to do outside – sett le in your citrus and plant up the pots!
Matt's healing journey 'I'M MY OWN CHEERLEADER NOW'
The radio star fought his way out of sadness and is now sharing his secrets
SLOW & steady
Let time be the secret ingredient with these melt-in-your-mouth meals
Rhino queen Jamie MARGOT MADE ME A WILD OFFER!
Hollywood has its sights set on the anti-poacher
FINAL FLING
Signs show the marriage is over
Royal rebels 'WE'RE DOING THINGS OUR WAY'
Zara and Mike are calling all the shots as they contemplate staying in the real world or helping out the House of Windsor
Dame Hinewehi Mohi 'I SEE MIRACLES EVERY DAY'
The singer looks back at her proudest moments and the girl who inspires it all
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy