Máire McGinley & Rachel O’Connor: Elite Sport, Motherhood, and Learning to Back Yourself

This week we’re joined by Máire McGinley and Rachel O’Connor, an Irish-Scottish duo who are quickly establishing themselves on the HYROX Elite scene.

From taking the APAC mixed relay record to lining up in the Elite 15 races in Hamburg and Melbourne, Maire and Rachel share what it’s really like stepping into elite competition — the excitement, the pressure, and the work it takes to believe you belong there.

A central part of this conversation focuses on female athlete health and motherhood. Rachel opens up about years of high training loads, losing her menstrual cycle, and the moment she realised she needed to prioritise her health in order to conceive.

We talk about stepping back from performance, changing lifestyle, and how that journey shaped her return to competitive sport as a mother.

We also discuss:

- How their partnership came together

- Balancing elite racing with careers, travel, and family life

- The realities (and costs) of pursuing elite sport outside Europe

- Managing mindset, pressure, and long-term perspective

An honest, grounded conversation highlighting why prioritising health is never a step backwards.

Follow the girls over on instagram : @mccmaire & @rach3oc

If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!

Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.

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