Radio Maria Canada

Sarah Hendrickson is an Olympian and World Champion in the sport of ski jumping. She attended the first ever Olympic Games in Sochi Russia in 2014, and with bib number one, became the first ever female to ski jump in an Olympic event. Prior to that event, she won the first ever world cup event and world cup overall title in the sport. Although she does not like to be defined by her injuries, a crash in 2013, training for the Olympics, severely injured her right knee. But with an intense rehab program, recovered in a short five months to qualify for the Olympic team. Sarah knows her challenges with injuries has taught her a lot about mental toughness, mental health, rehabilitation and perseverance to return to her passion. Although she has retired from the sport, she remains highly involved on the international level through the International Ski Federation as a four year athlete representative for women’s ski jumping. The inequality that this sport specifically faces fuels her dedication to push for more acceptance, increase prize money and increase the amount of events to someday match the men. Learning points: Can a plant-based diet support the nutritional needs of an Olympic athlete? Are there unique pressures for female athletes? How did Sarah’s injury impact her mental health? Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schendrickson Facebook Fan Page: Sarah Hendrickson Website: https://www.sarahhendrickson.space/