Here’s a bold statement: sometimes, the greatest victories come from the moments we feel most vulnerable. Take Kate Courtney, the mountain bike world champion, who recently proved that pushing beyond your limits isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about redefining what you believe you’re capable of. But here’s where it gets controversial: What if success isn’t just about winning, but about how you redefine failure along the way? Let’s dive in.
In early September, Kate Courtney stood at the starting line of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships for the 12th time in her career, but this time, everything was different. Known for dominating shorter cross-country and short-track races, Courtney was now aiming for the grueling marathon distance—a 77-mile test of endurance and mental fortitude. To everyone’s surprise, she not only completed the race but claimed her second rainbow jersey, a testament to nearly a decade of relentless pursuit.
‘The competition was fierce, and the course was unforgiving,’ Courtney, 30, reflected. ‘I was intimidated, but in a way that fueled me. I didn’t focus on the pressure to win; I focused on myself.’ And this is the part most people miss: Her calmness wasn’t accidental—it was the result of a deliberate shift in her mindset, one that prioritized process over perfection.
Despite facing a grueling final climb, a 20-minute hike over boulders, and a flat tire on the last descent, Courtney remained composed. Why? Because this season, she adopted a new mental approach, moving away from the impossible standard of needing to be on every podium. ‘In the past, I felt like I had to win to feel successful,’ she admitted. ‘It was exhausting. The pressure would unravel me on race day, disconnecting my training from my performance.’
Then came a turning point in late May. After breaking her wrist in her third race of the season, Courtney was forced to step back. ‘Initially, it felt like my season was over,’ she said. ‘But looking back, I needed that break.’ For the first time since turning pro, she dropped out of the World Cup circuit and fell out of the top 20 rankings—a humbling experience that became a catalyst for change.
‘Now, I’m not just chasing results,’ Courtney explained. ‘I’m engaging with the challenges and investing in the process.’ Her physical therapist and strength coach, Matt Smith, encouraged her to try something new: the Leadville 100, America’s most prestigious long-distance mountain bike race. Skeptical at first, Courtney eventually embraced the idea. ‘It gave me freedom,’ she said. ‘I focused on how I felt, not on numbers or structure. Low external pressure, high intrinsic drive.’
On August 9th, Courtney returned to racing at Leadville. Despite an early headwind and new rules restricting drafting, she set a blistering pace, shattering the course record by nearly 10 minutes. A week later, she flew to Switzerland to pre-ride the Marathon Worlds course. ‘Those two weeks were the most fun I’ve had in my career,’ she recalled. ‘I knew my fitness would translate, and mentally, I was locked in.’
As a marathon newcomer, Courtney flew under the radar, racing with a freedom she hadn’t felt in years. ‘I took a risk on the second-to-last climb and went solo,’ she said. ‘On the final descent, I got a flat tire but had to trust it would hold. Those moments are earned, but they’re also given—sometimes, things out of your control have to go your way.’
This win felt different. After seven years since her last world championship, it was a healing moment. ‘I raced at my limit, physically and mentally,’ she said. ‘It’s how I hope to be remembered as an athlete.’
Courtney’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. From 2017 to 2019, she was a dominant force, even making the US Olympic Team in 2021. But the pressure of Tokyo and subsequent World Cup races took a toll, creating a mental block that took years to overcome. ‘I lost sight of the process,’ she admitted. ‘It was a low period where I wasn’t competing at the level I wanted.’
‘My dad always says you’re remembered for your best days,’ Courtney shared, reflecting on her early love for mountain biking, which began riding tandem with her father. ‘But I’ve learned it’s the bigger picture that matters. The years when everything didn’t click—those almost mean more to me.’
In 2024, Courtney switched coaches and embraced a new training program. Her motivation? Mentoring young women through mountain biking. ‘When I wasn’t performing well, what kept me going was paying it forward,’ she said. In 2023, she launched the She Sends Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering girls through cycling. ‘It’s not about creating the next champion,’ she clarified. ‘It’s about using the sport to teach confidence and resilience.’
Here’s the controversial part: Courtney believes mountain biking should be a space where women are respected equally, not just as ‘great for a female athlete.’ Her message to young girls? Take risks. ‘When you push your edge, you discover you’re capable of more,’ she said. ‘I realized if I was telling girls to live this message, I needed to live it too.’
Despite a slow start to her season, including a broken wrist, Courtney pivoted. ‘Success isn’t just about wins,’ she said. ‘It’s about how you navigate the process.’ And navigate it she did, with results that speak for themselves.
So, here’s the question for you: Do you agree that success is more about the process than the outcome? Or is winning the ultimate measure? Let’s spark a conversation in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
