Voice of the Athlete: Mel Chappaz
We had the opportunity to interview Mel Chappaz, a Downhill Mountain Biking World Champion and World Cup racer who is dedicated to her sport and helping other girls enjoy the thrill of being on the trail. Let’s listen to the Voice of the Athlete: Mel Chappaz.
Question: How did you get started in downhill MTB?
Voice of the Athlete: My dad and brother. I followed the herd.
Question: What is your favorite thing about riding?
Voice of the Athlete: It’s a way to escape from reality and experience the adrenaline and speed you can get!
Question: How do you mentally prepare before a competition?
Voice of the Athlete: I have a mental coach who helps me be prepared for every situation and ensures that I am 100% ready for races.
Question: How do you stay focused and pick your line when you are under the pressure of competition?
Voice of the Athlete: It’s a bit hard to stay focused as we have a lot of pressure. I watch the GoPro videos that I capture during my rides with my loved ones, and this entertains me for at least a moment.
Question: What is your biggest source of motivation on days you don't feel like riding?
Voice of the Athlete: My motivation is always the same: to keep my passion and never give up until I have done my best and can’t go any further.
Question: Have you ever experienced or seen someone have paralyzing fear at competition time, and what did it look like?
Voice of the Athlete: Rarely. Every rider is preparing for this. They know what they have to do, even if they are scared. This is the best part of this sport, people pushing their limits every time.
Question: Did you ever have limiting beliefs that you had to work through to take your performance to the next level?
Voice of the Athlete: Yes, sometimes I do. I often think that I’m not strong enough to do a particular type of jump or section. This is why I always ride with friends who know me well. They can tell me what I can do or not.
Question: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Voice of the Athlete: Of course, my World Championship title. It wasn’t expected. The track was very physical, which was one of my weaknesses. But I worked even harder with my lines, and a few other things helped me to win.
Mel is part of the HopeTech Women’s rides, whose aim is to create an environment where women can feel comfortable riding. By riding in a group, women become more confident and consequently grow in skill and ability.
Learn more about Hope Tech Women’s rides: https://www.hopewomen.com/
Question: How did you get on the Hope Factory Team, and why did you choose this team over others?
Voice of the Athlete: I was sponsored by the Hope Factory Team for a few years. The French manager helped me join a team that was a mix of English and French riders, which was such a good idea. We helped each other’s communication and riding. They are awesome!
Question: The Hope Tech Women project looks like a great organization. What do you enjoy most about being part of the program?
Voice of the Athlete: This program is essential because it promotes girl riders like me. It’s amazing because there are more and more girls who ride. They see that they are not alone and can ride with a bunch of other girl riders. And I love that!
Question: What do you think is the biggest mental challenge that women face regarding growing their confidence and skills in mountain biking?
Voice of the Athlete: In a cyclist's world, it’s a bit difficult to maintain confidence, especially after a crash. I think this is the biggest mental challenge for a female athlete. It's hard to realize that even after an injury, she can be as fast and strong as before.
Question: What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Voice of the Athlete: This is a beautiful question. Sometimes we're not satisfied with our runs or riding skills for the day. The most important thing is to ride with friends and have fun on your bike. This sport is a tough one, so be proud that you do it.
Question: Who are your role models in and out of the sport, and how do they inspire you?
Voice of the Athlete: I don't have a role model. I love being inspired by lots of people, their skills, tricks, and style!
Question: What legacy do you want to leave as an athlete for the next generation of athletes?
Voice of the Athlete: Enjoy your ride, keep the passion, and push your limits as far as you can. And be proud of yourself, no matter what you do on the bike because it's always SICK!!
Question: What event are you currently training for?
Voice of the Athlete: I'm training for the World Cup season if it happens because of the Covid pandemic. And if not, I'm training for the next season.
Voice of the Athlete: Mel Chappaz
1: MTB is a way to escape from reality filled with all the adrenaline and speed you can get!
2: I love being inspired by lots of people, and their skills, tricks, and their style!
3: She believes the biggest mental challenge for a female rider is to realize that even after a crash or an injury, she can be as fast and strong as she was before.
Thank you, Mel Chappaz (@melanie_chappaz), for being the Voice of the Athlete and sharing your journey as a World Champion DH MTB and your mission to get other girls on the trail.
Visit: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/voice-of-the-athlete/voice-of-the-athlete-ethan-morlan