Leah was born in Canada, conceived in Israel, and raised in Vancouver, B.C. by new immigrant parents.
Growing up in Richmond, B.C., daughter of a boxer. Leah became involved in martial arts, Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. After being told she should never fight again because she had herniated disks in her back, Leah won the Bantamweight World Kickboxing Championship at age 17, against a 25 year old fighter a foot taller than she was!
Leah felt a deep desire to serve her time in the Israeli Army, (a mandatory 2 years for women and 3 years for men).
Leah knew that she wouldn’t be satisfied just being a soldier, she wanted to become the first woman ever to be an Elite Commando. She didn't just become an elite commando, she became a Krav Maga specialist, and became the first female Elite Commando Instructor.
After leaving the Army, Leah pursued a career as a professional cyclist in Europe and North America. After a serious accident in 2005, Leah spend 2.5 months in the hospital where she was informed by doctors that she would never race again, let alone walk without a cane.
Leah proved them all wrong, and came back stronger than ever before, she went on to win the Women’s Solo Division of Race Across America (RAAM) - the Ultra Endurance, 3000 Mile, 12 day, single stage race in 2011, and coming in second in the women’s division and fifth overall in 2019. She came back again in 2021 and at 52 years old made history by becoming the 1st female ever to WIN the overall SOLO division of RAAM.
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Show notes
Her background in athleticism
Joining the IDF - Israel Defence Force
Discovering the bike
Wanting to become a pro racer at 30
Discovering ultra endurance racing
Her childhood and growing up
Dealing with bullies
Her dreams for the future
Being one of the only female instructors
Training the elite soldiers/commandoes
Krav maga as a martial art
Learning how to defend yourself
How you can train your mind
Making the transition from the military to a different way of life
Deciding to become a pro racer and taking 8 years to get to her goal
Wanting to stay and keep physically active
Being a professional cyclist and living out of her bag
The pressure to perform and to reach the podium
Her love and passion for cycling
Using cycling as therapy
Needing to qualify for RAAM
Why it’s a one year process and why you need a good crew
The planning and preparation for the race
Why your crew is the most important thing
Replicating the race in her training
Working with trainer - John Howard
Why you have to cross the finish line
Learning lessons from her first experience of RAAM in 2011
Recovery from training and keeping her body injury free
Keeping fit and active and doing things for fun
Not smoking, not drinking and being plant based
Focusing on core work and strength work
The key of being consistent
The challenging condition of RAAM in 2021
Dealing with extreme heat
Limits and suffering
Being 52 and dealing with menopause
The mental side of challenges and mental resilience
Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable
Being prepared for the worst in every scenario
Being mentally ready for the challenge
Staying focused and looking at the positive things
Working with her crew
Nutrition and bodily functions
Needing to feel comfortable on the bike
Suffering from Shermer's Neck
Dealing with failure and going after it again
Doing the things she has a passion for
Not wanting to live a life of regret
Writing her book No Limits
Quick Fire Questions
Connect with Leah
Social Media
Website: https://leahgoldstein.com
Instagram: @goldstein_leah_
Facebook: @leahgoldstein1
Twitter: @NoLimitsLeah
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