The Real Story: Coaching, Contracts, & Pregnancy in Elite Cycling | Sarah Sturm & Dennis van Winden - Season 8 Episode 5

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 Pregnancy04:07 – When Career Meets Family: Planning for Pregnancy10:17 – Stress, Racing Seasons, and Conceiving as an Athlete14:56 – Privacy, Career Impact, and the Athlete Mindset17:33 – Letting Go of FTP: Embracing RPE and Subjective Training21:02 – Nutrition & Fueling: Adapting Intake for Pregnancy Needs22:36 – Flexible Programming: Communication and Weekly Check-ins29:10 – Grand Prix Notification: Navigating Pregnancy in Pro Competition31:15 – Pioneering Deferrals: Advocating for Maternity Policies33:14 – Sponsor Support: Contracts, Clauses, and Progressive Change35:35 – Identity Shifts: Psychological and Emotional Dynamics38:12 – Planning the Comeback: Hopes and Unknowns for 202743:02 – The Coach-Athlete Relationship: Trust, Adaptability, and Support49:03 – Data Gaps and Experimentation: Building Knowledge for Future Athletes54:38 – Comparing Experiences: Each Pregnancy is Unique59:46 – Postpartum Roadmap: Day-by-Day Planning for the Comeback1:02:02 – Advice for Athletes: Building a Support System Before and During Pregnancy1:02:41 – Closing Thoughts: Changing the Conversation about Pregnancy, Athletics, and Support