If you follow Power Woman on Instagram you have probably seen Jenny, known as @cycling.mama rocking our sportswear. In this article you will get to know how Jenny’s interest for triathlon started and how she balances a hectic life of training, work and being a mother.
Tell us about yourself!
I'm Jenny, I live in Germany, and I'm a triathlete, employed, and a mother of two. Sport has been a part of my life since my youth. I started triathlons when I was about 16 – but the dream actually began even earlier.At 13, I stood on the sidelines of the Challenge Roth course – back then it was still an Ironman – and was immediately captivated. In that moment, I knew: I want to achieve that someday when I'm "grown up."Back then, I couldn't even begin to imagine the distances of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling, and 42 km running. How anyone could possibly manage something like that was completely incomprehensible to me.I couldn't swim freestyle at all back then – and I thought one course would be enough. Somehow, I learned. But of course, I wasn't really good afterward. That's precisely why it's so important to me today that my children learn to swim freestyle early on. This way they will have this foundation – and can draw on it whenever they want.
Today, sport isn't just a hobby for me, but an integral part of my identity. At the same time, I try to combine training, family, and work – which isn't always easy, but all means a great deal to me.
What role do sport and exercise play in your life?
Sport plays a huge role in my life. I'm simply a very active person and need exercise to ground myself and clear my head – especially during stressful times. Being outdoors in nature gives me energy and inner peace at the same time. For me, sport is balance, a source of strength, and a piece of freedom in my often hectic daily life. It's also important to me to show my children that exercise is fun and something positive.
What sports and training do you usually do?
I'm a triathlete – my disciplines are swimming, cycling, and running. However, I love cycling the most; it's definitely my favorite discipline. That's also where my Instagram name "cycling.mama" comes from. In addition, I regularly do strength and mobility training to strengthen my body and prevent injuries.
I especially appreciate the variety between the three disciplines – it's precisely this diversity that makes triathlon so appealing to me.
How did you get started with triathlon?
I started learning to swim freestyle when I was about 13 because I really wanted to compete in Challenge Roth. I completed my first small triathlon when I was about 18. Before that, my focus was on finishing my apprenticeship, so I didn't have much time for sports.
It was a long road with many ups and downs, setbacks, and small successes. But in 2016, I finally fulfilled my biggest dream: I finished Challenge Roth. I'll never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line after all those years of hard work and patience – it was simply indescribable. The fact that I learned to swim relatively late showed me that you don't have to have a perfect start. With patience, consistency, and perseverance, you can achieve a great deal.
What do you like most about triathlon?
I love the versatility of triathlon and the time I can spend outdoors in nature. Swimming gives me peace of mind, cycling gives me a sense of freedom – it always fascinates me how far you can go with your own power. Running gives me the opportunity to feel my own strength and challenge myself. Being outdoors – in wind, sun, or rain – is especially wonderful for me. This feeling of moving and feeling my own strength and experiencing nature around me is very special.
What was the biggest challenge in your training?
Unfortunately, my journey has been repeatedly hampered by injuries. After my pregnancies, I had long-term problems with my pelvic floor and tailbone, which limited my cycling and running. The hormones from breastfeeding also caused shoulder problems, which made swimming difficult. And most recently, I had a persistent foot injury.
These phases were mentally challenging. But I've learned to be more patient with my body and to adjust my goals. Today, my health comes first. I'm grateful for every pain-free workout.
What tips would you give someone who is just starting out or wants to improve their training?
Don't constantly compare yourself to others. Everyone has different abilities and circumstances.
Listen to your body and don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Consistency is more important than perfection – and sometimes less really is more.
Above all: Enjoy the movement. That's the best motivation.
What are you looking forward to right now? Are there any particular goals or races?
At the moment, I'm mainly looking forward to getting completely healthy again. After my foot injury, I finally want to be able to run and cycle pain-free again this year. A very personal goal is to ride a mountain pass again. Working my way up, switchback by switchback, and experiencing that feeling of freedom in the mountains – that would be a real comeback for me. I might also participate in a small triathlon, but only if it feels good. Without pressure, simply for the joy of it.
What would you like to say to a younger version of yourself?
That competitions and performance aren't everything. Times and rankings don't define your worth. What's much more important is being healthy and enjoying movement.
What makes you feel powerful?
For me, feeling powerful means persevering despite setbacks. Knowing that I'm a mother, I work, and I'm still pursuing my athletic path gives me strength. And that feeling of using my own strength climbing a mountain and pushing through a workout reminds me how much potential we have.
What's your favorite Power Woman item of clothing?
That's a pretty difficult question because I actually love all the Power Woman clothes I own. After my foot surgery, I even wore the clothes in the hospital because they're so incredibly comfortable. But what I like most are the swimsuits. They fit perfectly, keep their shape and color, and I've worn them so many times for swimming. Simply fantastic!Ultimately, for me, it's about feeling good—in training, in everyday life, and also in what I wear. When I feel good, I feel strong. And that's exactly what "Power Woman" means to me.
Your can follow Jenny here on;
Instagram @cycling.mama
Tiktok @cycling.mama
YouTube Cycling Mama
