From Giving Birth to World Champion in 18 Months 🤰🏆 Chelsea Sodaro's Triathlon Journey as a Mother

Being a world class professional triathlete is hard enough. Now imagine going from giving birth to your first child to becoming a World Champion in just 18 months.
That's exactly what American star Chelsea Sodaro did. Her journey is one of inspiration, incredible perseverance and loving support from those close to her.
Watch Chelsea's journey, as filmed by her and her husband Steve during the pregnancy and the return to training as she targeted a remarkable comeback to make the inaugural Collins Cup in 2021. Then witness her ups and downs through the 2022 season with appearances at the PTO Canadian Open and the Collins Cup before taking the ultimate Ironman title in Kona, Hawaii in October.
"Women shouldn't have to choose between being world class athletes and being moms."
📺 Watch 'Greater Than One' to see more of Chelsea's journey: • Chelsea Sodaro: Greate...
📲 Learn more about the PTO's groundbreaking maternity policy: protriathletes.org/media-rele...
#Ironman #Triathlon #PTO
00:00 Intro
00:30 The pregnancy
02:18 Skye is born
03:59 Postpartum anxiety
05:06 Returning to racing
07:32 2021 Collins Cup - Depression
08:09 2022 PTO Canadian Open - The comeback
10:38 2022 Collins Cup - Disaster
13:14 Kona
14:22 Becoming World Champion
16:18 Winning for family
17:42 Being stronger
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[@cecopenev]

A good example of what a strong woman supported by a strong man can do! Never let your partner hinder your ambitions. She is so open and fragile and yet she is unstopable. Thank you Chelsea!

[@tabithawills4389]

PTO: THANK YOU for this series and telling Chelsea's story as a mom and athlete 🙏🏼. As a new mom, I have never been more inspired 😭

[@dorothymankey9238]

Y’all stop. This film. I’m actually crying. 😭 Thanks for telling Chelsea’s story and highlighting the reality of the joy and struggle of being a mom, a human in sport. ❤

[@tblightningbolt8902]

Nobody said you have to choose. Nobody makes you have a kid. Nobody makes you do triathlon. Everyone has different sets of responsibility based on their background and life circumstances. She’s an unbelievable athlete. Her run in Kona was unstoppable

[@notundermywatch3163]

Well said

[@susyvillagomez8400]

Love it ❤️ thank you Chelsea for showing us that being a mom isn't a barrier to achieve our goals/dreams

[@ak8990]

Been a runner for 22 yrs, and seriously motherhood is one of the hardest things I have ever done. Part of the hardest things is trying to figure out how to get your workouts in when they are this little, not to mention working on little sleep and huge anxiety that comes as a new mother. As a mother of three I will tell you, it will get better. I think you are doing amazing!

[@Victoria.Pulliam]

I’m nowhere near the athletic person you are! But I’m so grateful that I found a man who allows me to do Running as a sport! He is so supportive as well, and it makes all the difference. We don’t have kids, but we talked about when the time comes that you are allowed me to go out however long I need for my training, as he knows it’s for my mental health and physical health I’ve been following you, and you’re definitely an inspiration of mine

[@peggymargaret4574]

Chelsea is a one of a kind World Champ ❤ so much lesson and inspiration

[@aktarrahman7159]

I love the part when she got boosted last 10k from energy lab down to Palani when the amateurs said to you, “ Do it for Sky! do it for the moms!” And you did it! #Momspiration.

[@danobrien8522]

I'm actually crying in my kitchen watching this film while my 1yo baby girl is napping. Absolutely wonderful. Moms and Dads for the win!

[@robertschwartz7528]

Champ as a parent; champ as an athlete. Fan for life.

[@richardkenny7555]

Haven't cried in a long time but this got me.

[@joshuafoulds8107]

That message to her daughter! My wife is pregnant with our third child. That message had me in tears. If I didn't know anything about the athletic accolades and titles, but only saw that clip, I'd know Chelsea is a rock-star. Congratulations!

[@MM-ey2ql]

Wow. What an amazing and resilient woman. Thank you for sharing your story. So inspirational 😊

[@lauramorris4632]

This woman! Wow. Thank you for telling her story. I'm so inspired.

[@dorofork1040]

Thanks for being an inspiring role model, Chelsea! 🙏💪

[@Einscwajdraj]

Coming from a dad who suffered depression hardcore, thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration Chelsea, you and your family. And thank you PTO for helping get our sport star's stories to fans like me.

[@stevenbell482]

@ChelseaSodaro damn you made me cry. You were so brutally honest about everything, damn your a strong mother, wife, and person in as a whole. I so bow for what you achieved, believe in yourself. Never never give up. Love from Germany

[@chrisstrider]

Thanks for letting us into your life Sodaro family

[@piekehendriks2761]

Amazing story and thanks for sharing so openly. Very inspiring!

[@Underdog_Triathlete]

Wow. All else aside, Kona really was the Collins Cup redemption race. Congrats to Sodaro for showing the whole world that it absolutely CAN be done.

[@DJElectraFry]

I’m crying happy tears with pride for my cousin who is an amazing mom and a champion in every sense of the word! All the 2nd places and setbacks made you the determined woman you are and brought you to the win at Kona!

[@TheGbrown86]

Super motivational seeing all sides of World Champion Chelsea Sodaro!! PTO for the W.

[@glengullickson6538]

THANK YOU for a real, honest interview! You are so tough. Best wishes to your family moving forward. Blessings.

[@robbo3132]

Another really well made pto film.....training and winning so close after delivery is incredible

[@Elitetrisci]

Stop you’re making every one of us cry😭

[@fabianthaesler1317]

Impressive - well done - emotions, empathy, great sport and motherhood. Thanks for sharing!

[@nerbachlittle]

What a role model. Love this ❤

[@piatch9426]

Thank you. I cried the whole video.

[@dzat]

Respect ...enormous determination. Well done chelsea! Mommy world champ 👍

[@TheEdGarcia]

Amazing thanks PTO for sharing!

[@andreeacalugaru5202]

Some women are just more iron than others! What a joy it has been to "meet" you Chelsea these past 2 weeks.

[@hasellnutt]

Super mum… so impressive. As a dad trying to be an athlete you make me feel lazy and inspired at the same time 😂

[@mattkerr8443]

It's beautiful 😍 🤩 👌 ❤️ thank you for sharing

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

I'm crying with you. You had become my story to tell to every single one! My inspiration. You are real and simple, humble, a world champ a Mom, daughter and wife! SO F>>>>>>>PROUD OF YOU! ALOHAS from MAUI! YOU ARE MY HERO! The last picture with Skye is the best image of the 2022 Ironman ! They picture will live forever in my heart! Your Parents are amazing!

[@katherine6068]

So inspiring!!! 🥰🥰

[@alysarenee3915]

Sometimes you do have to choose. I’m happy she found a way to make both work though.

[@navidk6775]

Amazing work, wow talking about hard work… well done 👍🏼

[@jorgearevalo1879]

Very inspiring ❤

[@christophs5070]

All the best for you and your family ❤️

[@smellslikemoshpit]

I am beyond words. ❤

[@KyleLanmon]

I'm not crying, you are crying!!

[@notmyrealname6272]

Wow. That is all. Wow.

[@kevinnapier8996]

#Amazing #Athlete, #Awesome #FamilySupport!!

[@10euclid]

WOW 😊

[@jrparker4804]

Chelseeeeaaa! 💪🇺🇸👍

[@gusrallim]

👏👏👏

[@Tri_Ing_Guy]

Physically what she did that soon after giving birth is absolutely amazing, but give credit where it’s due people, she does nothing without the help of her husband, parenthood is teamwork.

[@pribanovaterka]

Funny how when a man achieves something great, people never mention their wife’s as being the necessary support they needed. You’re right that it’s a team effort though

[@kitman530]

"Women shouldn't have to choose [...] and being moms." Yes, agreed. But most of them have to. It's no social flaw but a natural law. And this discussion is a bit akward regarding all the non-professional athletes in the world, having a baby and they return to sports at a minor hobby level or never at all. For returning on a professional level, you don't need strength and determination alone, but money and the social surrounding. That's the thing which hinders in real life, not determination and will.

[@adamchristopher4484]

Man I know it's a big deal for some. But my wife and I had no problem giving up breast feeding. I think it makes things 10x harder then it should be.

[@samuelcolbert6113]

this cheese has a lot of stank to it, but hot damn 😢

[@jfrancis]

This is BS. Life’s a series of choices, just depends on who pays for the choices.

[@triathlontimmy]

for a moment there I almost forgot Chelsea Sodaro was a mom. Good thing there's another video about it popping up. Death, taxes, and Chelsea Sodaro's motherhood status.

[@israel_started_it_ALL_in_1948]

Nicola Spirig has done a lot more as a mom... and Before Sodaro.

[@sophiewalker286]

Its not a competition, both are incredible athletes and mums! We can celebrate them all :)

[@JakubSliacan]

That's exactly what Chelsea said in the video -- finally someone (PTO) cares about retaining women in the sport while allowing them to have a natural life. Making a video about it is just one way to contribute to the awareness and normalization of it. The fact that Nicola's case isn't talked about is a confirmation that PTO is making progress. Any other women who had kids while racing (or race after having had kids)? Would be good to know.

[@israel_started_it_ALL_in_1948]

@@sophiewalker286 And that's why Spirig doesn't make such claims.

[@hh-kz6yp]

Unfortunately i do not think its inspiring 😢. I feel very sad to see that her obsession to fitness depress her and not respecting nature witch is hormonal and being present for the baby. Ligament are so loose that is very damaging over training at this stage. One thing we know athlete have alot OCD disorder but make them amazing athlete. Also their mind is though witch is incredibly amazing. But accepting being a woman keep training without obsessing is respecting nature and being patient, in reverse she just brought her to depression and anxiety with hormonal. Being a center mom is more important. She is very though on herself i just see big red flags. Immune systems drop, digestive shot down. There is no reward its very sad, she need to meditate and being strong of being nice to her and patient not over stress to compare herself and work hard for what ? Stay calm

[@af8lbite205]

Are you whining about time? Make a choice either your kids matter or you’re self centered.

[@piekehendriks2761]

Amazing story and thanks for sharing so openly. Very inspiring!