Have you ever watched the Olympics and wondered what it takes to get on the podium? Sure, there are the physical demands, but what about the mental strength? You are competing in front of the world against the best in the world. No pressure. Right? We all know it is most likely the athlete who puts the most pressure on themselves. So, when does someone decide they will be an Olympian?
For my next guest, Mari Holden, who started as a triathlete, the 1984 Olympics in LA marked a turning point, and she knew then that the Olympics were her destiny. So she leaned into the bike and eventually won a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Games, A UCI World Championship and six national championships.
In 2016, she was inducted into the US Bicycling Hall of Fame as a modern road and track competitor. So what does it take to get there? Guts, grit, belief, and an incredible amount of tenacity.
We also explore her relationship with her mom, including how they inspired each other throughout their lives and how Mari gained a new perspective on her mom as she grew older. Listen in for an honest and vulnerable conversation about a lifelong dedication to athletics and what it teaches you along the way.
From Hobby to Professional Athlete
As a kid, Mari was extremely active and loved to ride her bike, but it wasn’t until she got her first racing bicycle at age thirteen that she fell in love with the sport of cycling. It was on her first 50-mile ride that she had her ‘ah-ha’ moment and knew she was meant to be a cyclist.
Inspired by the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Mari realized women had the power to compete on the world stage. Seeing athletes like Connie Carpenter-Phinney, Florence Griffith Joyner, Joan Benoit, and Mary Lou Retton inspired Mari to pursue a career in sports. She was invited to an Olympic training camp and marched up to the national cycling team coach and asked what it would take to get to the Olympics.
In her early 20s, Mari dedicated her life to rigorous training. The competition was intense, with a lot of negative noise telling her she wasn’t good enough, but Mari ignored it and focused on her training. There was no guarantee what the outcome would be on the Olympic stage, but she knew she would regret it if she didn’t do everything possible to get there.
Mari faced rejection and failure on her journey, but she continued to recommit to her goal. After being left off the 1996 Olympic team, a devastating blow, she continued training for the next four years and ultimately made it into the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
The Breakdown is the Breakthrough
Despite finally achieving her goal, Mari had an emotional breakdown after making it into the Summer Olympics. She felt immense pressure to live up to expectations, knowing she was representing herself, her family, and her country.
After a few days, she regrouped and refocused on her goal. Mari’s breakdown ended up becoming the breakthrough that motivated her to continue on her path.
All of her hard work paid off when she placed second in her race and took home a silver medal for the USA.
Mari’s Mom and Their Full Circle Moment of Inspiration
Mari’s parents were always supportive of her goals as an athlete; however, later in her life, her mom decided to do a triathlon. Although her mother was afraid of swimming in the ocean, this accomplishment led Mari to reexamine her mother’s character in a profound way. Mari’s parents went on to start a triathlon club in Ventura, California, and her mom even completed two Ironmans in her late fifties and early sixties.
In the beginning, Mari’s Olympic journey served as inspiration for her parents. Today, in a full-circle moment, Mari’s mother’s’ athletic achievements now inspire her.
It’s been twenty-five years since Mari’s Olympic medal, she recognizes how hard it is to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, which makes her feel even prouder of her mom. Thanks to her mom’s inspiration, Mari is now trying new things , such as skiing and golf.
Mari’s mom passed away after her battle with cancer in 2020, and she’s appreciative of the connection they were able to build later in life. Realizing that behind her mother’s role as a parent, there was an athlete within her mom, as well.
Learning Collaboration Later in Life
As a half-of-fame athlete, Mari had to learn to be cutthroat when it came to her competition. There were a lot of mind games required to get to the top, especially in women’s sports at that time.
In reflection, she has a healthier perspective now; Mari values collaboration over an intense style of competition. She’s also focused on establishing a sense of balance in her life that she didn’t have when she was in competition mode, as well as leaning into vulnerability.
Whatever she chooses, we know she will do it well.
