STOCKHOLM (Nettavisen): There is a lot happening in Therese Johaug’s life right now.
The 36-year-old is preparing for a comeback in the skiing track, but compared to how her life looked the last time she was an active skier, much has changed.
In addition to putting in the incredible training effort required to succeed at the World Championships in Trondheim, Johaug has many other balls in the air.
She runs her own clothing brand, has her own training app, organizes training camps abroad where she participates as a coach, and is involved in the Powher project along with former cross-country skiing colleagues.
In addition to this, she is also a mother to little Kristin, together with her husband Nils Jakob Hoff.
– Absolutely insane
In other words, Johaug has a packed schedule, which may not be very common for a top athlete.
Several of the Swedish cross-country skiing stars are certainly clear that they could not manage to live as hectic a life as Johaug while competing as athletes.
Johanna Hagström is almost speechless over how much energy Johaug must have to accomplish everything.
– Yes, really. It’s absolutely insane. I think it’s tough just to train that much, and I’m so tired all the time. Running your own business and having children and everything sounds really tough, she tells Nettavisen.
IMPRESSED: Johanna Hagström is mightily impressed by Therese Johaug.
Photo: Maxim Thore (Bildbyrån)
Hagström further states that she is mightily impressed by Johaug.
– I have no idea what it’s like to have children, but you only hear that you sleep little and that it’s a lot all the time. To train in addition to all that is impressive, she says, adding that she believes she would struggle to maintain quality in training if she had so many balls in the air.
– Tough
The Swedish sprint star Jonna Sundling believes that being a mother to a small child must be something that requires a lot of energy for Johaug.
– I haven’t been in that situation, but I can just imagine how it would be. Suddenly, everything doesn’t revolve around you anymore. And it can be quite difficult just to take care of yourself in between. Taking care of a baby is obviously much more energy-consuming and tougher, she tells Nettavisen.
Maja Dahlqvist believes that Johaug’s hectic life would not have been suitable for her.
– I really don’t know anything about how she does it, but I think I would get very tired if I lived like that. I think it’s going to be tough, she tells Nettavisen.
The Swedish sprinter also does not believe it will be a “walk in the park” for Johaug in the cross-country track when she makes her comeback.
– I think it’s going to be tight and she can’t just count on walking right in and winning. I think it will be faster now than it was two years ago. It will be cool to see. I think it will be close, and if she wins, I don’t think she will win by much, says Dahlqvist.
This is why Johaug is doing what she does
When Nettavisen spoke with Johaug regarding the announcement of her comeback earlier this year, she said that the “business” alongside her cross-country skiing venture would proceed as usual.
– I feel it’s good to have something to do on the side as well, she told Nettavisen in August.
Many of her projects are about training tips and ensuring that ordinary people get to experience the joy of exercise, something Johaug finds motivating to work with.
– I am passionate about physical activity, I am passionate about public health. I know how happy and how much energy I gain from training in everyday life, and I want as many as possible to experience that, she shared.
As the season approaches and during the season itself, it’s likely that Johaug will prioritize even harder than she did during her preparations. The first test of how well she is doing will come during the national season opener at Beitostølen next week.
On Friday, there will be a classic sprint, on Saturday a 10 km classic, and on Sunday 10 km freestyle.
How does mental resilience play a role in the performance of athletes like Therese Johaug who are juggling multiple commitments?
Time.news Interview: Therese Johaug’s Remarkable Comeback and Multitasking Mastery
Editor (Time.news): Welcome to this engaging discussion on the incredible life of Therese Johaug! Today, we have with us Dr. Lars Lindholm, a sports psychologist and coach who specializes in the unique challenges faced by elite athletes in multitasking roles. Lars, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Lars Lindholm: Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to talk about someone as dynamic as Therese.
Editor: Absolutely! Therese Johaug is making headlines again as she prepares for a comeback in cross-country skiing, but her life seems more hectic than ever. Can you share your thoughts on how she juggles such a packed schedule?
Dr. Lindholm: It’s truly remarkable. Therese is not only training for the World Championships but also running her own clothing brand, managing a training app, coaching training camps, and being a mother. Most top athletes focus solely on their training, so what she’s doing is quite unusual and definitely more demanding.
Editor: Yes, her fellow athletes seem to echo that sentiment. Swedish skier Johanna Hagström mentioned that it’s “absolutely insane” how Johaug manages all of this. How would you assess the mental resilience that is required for such a lifestyle?
Dr. Lindholm: Mental resilience is crucial. To excel as a top athlete while managing substantial personal and professional commitments, she must have a well-developed sense of time management and prioritization. Johaug likely employs techniques to manage stress, maintain focus, and find balance amidst the chaos.
Editor: Johanna also expressed skepticism about whether she could maintain the quality of her training with such distractions. How do you think athletes can maintain their performance under similar pressures?
Dr. Lindholm: That’s a valid concern. Training under stress requires a strong mental framework. Athletes need to establish routines, ensure proper support systems, and possibly disconnect from certain pressures during training. Johaug’s success might come from her ability to compartmentalize—that is, focus fully on her training when it’s time to train, and then shift her energy to her family or business afterward.
Editor: One another aspect is how motherhood affects her training. Jonna Sundling talked about the added energy demands of being a parent. From a psychological standpoint, how can the joys and challenges of parenthood influence an athlete’s performance?
Dr. Lindholm: Parenthood does indeed bring both joy and exhaustion. For an elite athlete like Johaug, her new responsibility likely offers her a fresh perspective and motivation that can enrich her performance. However, it can also challenge her energy levels and recovery. Embracing the dual role of athlete and parent could potentially enhance her mental strength, but it comes down to finding a harmonious balance.
Editor: It sounds like, while there are significant hurdles, there can also be advantages to living such a multifaceted life. Given Johaug’s current path, how do you see her affecting the future of elite athletes, especially women?
Dr. Lindholm: Johaug is paving the way for future generations of athletes, showing that it’s possible to excel in sports while embracing other personal and professional identities. Her experience can inspire younger athletes, especially women, to pursue diverse interests and roles without feeling they must sacrifice their athletic ambitions.
Editor: That’s an inspiring message! Lastly, what key piece of advice would you give to athletes who are trying to balance their sporting lives with personal ambitions, much like Johaug?
Dr. Lindholm: I would advise them to focus on their mental health and well-being. They should create a supportive environment, where both their athletic pursuits and personal lives can thrive. Effective communication with coaches, family, and teammates can help maintain a sense of balance. Ultimately, it’s about defining success on their own terms.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lindholm, for your insights today! Therese Johaug’s journey is not only a testament to her talent but also an inspiring narrative of balance, resilience, and multi-dimensionality. We’ll all be watching her comeback with great interest!
Dr. Lindholm: Thank you! Here’s to hoping she excels in her next chapter!