As part of our celebrations for Bike Week, we spoke to double gold medal winning UCI Para-Cycling Track World Champion and gold medal Para- Olympian Megan Giglia
We caught up with local cycling celebrity Megan Giglia as she prepares for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics:
You took up cycling in 2013 to help you recover from a stroke earlier that year, how much strength did it take to get in the saddle?
I used cycling to channel my emotions working on both my physical and mental strength. I had to over come the physical challenges adapting to many different situations in my life and had to come to some form of acceptance with what had happened. I was in denial and chose to ignore everyone’s beliefs, opinions and ‘you can’t do that anymore attitude towards my abilities, using those moments of disbelief to spur me on proving that I would be able to walk, talk and live independently again.
Who encouraged and motivated you to succeed?
My life as I knew it had changed in an instant and suddenly I didn’t know who I was or where I belonged. I had to create a new past, ‘Megan the 2nd’. I had to accept what had happened and find a purpose. A woman by the name of Karen gave me the kick I needed to jump start my life all over again. She had terminal cancer but still managed to live life and make the most of the precious moments while they lasted, her kind heart felt words hit me hard and got me out of that self pitying path I could have very easily succumb to. We are all guilty of taking for granted those key moments at some point in our lives, blinded and stuck in our own little worlds. I used her words and a new found appreciation for life to succeed whilst raising awareness and supporting other survivors and the ripple effect that takes hold when a life changing event unravels.
Just 10 months after your stroke, you attended a British Cycling talent identification day, when did becoming an Olympian become a personal goal?
It never actually did, it just so happened that I had what it took, shear grit, determination, a hidden talent, unlocked through the craziness of life and a lot of hard work! I actually only ever went into cycling to work on my physical ability and mental health, proving I had what it took to be a better version of me.
Can you describe your journey on the Paralympian Development programme?
It was a fast paced, quick roll around with never ending physical and mental challenges to over come. Full of new friendships, targets and teamwork.
You won 2 gold medals at the 2016 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships as well as smashing both world records – how important was that win to you?
That win confirmed my ability to compete at the highest level and race with the best, securing a spot for the Rio2016 Paralympic Games. In 2016 I was Number 1 in the world at the pinnacle of my career and not very many people get to say that, but to be completely honest I was to knackered to appreciate the achievements back then, I slept most of my free time away and only now do I appreciate the commitment and what it took to achieve.
You also won Gold in Rio, will you be setting out to do the same in Tokyo?
I am aiming for Tokyo and selection is near! I have been very unfortunate with injury upon injury and a few other personal family matters to overcome along with taking on full custody of my Nephew to ensure he has a stable, loving home environment forever more and that has changed my priorities greatly. However, I am fighting for my spot in Tokyo to dedicate and raise awareness for those children in care, showing that life is full of opportunities and to never give up, fight for those dreams.
What are the plans for travelling to Tokyo?
If I am fortunate enough to make it on the plane bound for Tokyo, that is all left to powers that be within the the sporting world to arrange and organise. I trust in the system and know that if I get on the plane it was meant to be with safety being of paramount importance, all I have to focus on is training and keeping myself in tip top condition if that’s even possible! Ha
Who inspires you today?
Today my little bubble inspires me, especially my Nephew who has been through so much change in his 6 years of existence, overcoming adversity, adapting to huge life changes and showing a resilience stronger than I have ever known and of course my wife to be for putting up with my hangry moods and constant stress of me breaking myself in general!
It must have been a great honour to have been selected to compete as a Paralympian, what did your family think of that?
Prior to Rio2016 it was pretty much me and my dog oh and a few extra furballs for good measure. My extended family were mega excited but being from a non-sporting background, didn’t realise the scale of awesomeness that was to come from sport as a whole, it has certainly made them more aware of the sporting world. Now my family has grown ten fold and it means more to them than ever before.
How important do you think it is for people to use cycling as an alternative form of transport? Health? Environmental impact?
Cycling in my completely non bias opinion is the most effective way of commuting and the health benefits can be life changing for many individuals, not to mention the social aspect and independence gained by future generations to come. I am on my own personal mission to get every child on a bike in schools riding confidently and competently, so watch this space!
What advice would you give to a youngster today who aspires to be a cycling great?
You have to love what you do, embrace the process, enjoy every moment and take the hard times, learn from them, get back on your bike and pedal harder than you have ever done before, feed off the losses to become greater and always remember why you do what you do, find your own motivation personal to you, whatever that may be.
