Cycling and Medicine: Two Worlds, One Passion

Immerse yourself in the world of Jade Linthoudt, a dedicated rider with the AG Insurance – Soudal U23 team, who embraces the unique challenge of combining her medical studies with her passion for cycling. With lofty ambitions in both the medical field and on the cycling tracks, Jade aims to realize her dreams of a professional cycling career and a future as a doctor.

Balancing my medical studies and my life as a professional cyclist is a continuous exercise in discipline and tight planning. Every day, I set myself the task of following a detailed schedule, where every training and study hour is carefully planned. Prioritizing is crucial here. I focus on what is most important, both academically and in cycling, and set realistic goals for myself.

Teamwork & Synergy

Communication with my lecturers, coaches, and teammates plays a key role in successfully managing my time. Thanks to open dialogue, we can prevent conflicts in my schedule and ensure necessary support when it really matters. My collaboration with my training coach, Wim De Wolf, is a perfect example of this. Over the years, we have built a strong understanding; he knows my capabilities and exactly how to adjust my training load to my study obligations. Should a conflict arise between my training schedule and academic obligations, Wim shows great flexibility. Together, we always find a way to make up for missed training time without compromising my studies.

Discovering synergies between my studies and my sport has proven invaluable to me. This approach allows me to approach both aspects of my life more efficiently and effectively. An important part of this is incorporating sufficient rest and recovery time. Without these essential breaks, neither my body nor my mind would be able to perform at the highest level.

Flexibility, Planning & Balance: The Secret Ingredients

Flexibility is another important element in my daily life. I am always open to adjusting my schedule for unforeseen circumstances or new opportunities. This adaptability, combined with a consistent approach and effective time management, enables me to pursue and achieve my academic and sporting goals. By continuously challenging myself and striving for improvement, I can grow in both my medical studies and my cycling career.

Pinning down a 'typical' day in my life is actually an impossible task, as every day is different, mainly due to my varying training schedule. However, there are some constant factors that give structure to my days. Generally, I aim to complete my training in the morning, so I have the rest of the day free for my studies. This can mean sometimes attending classes online, which saves me the commute to campus. I always try to find a balance between online classes and physically attending lectures because I also greatly value the social aspect of student life.

However, there are days when it simply isn't feasible to train before my classes. On such occasions, I may opt to train after my lectures, sometimes even late in the evening on the rollers. But most often, this means getting out of bed very early, around 6 a.m., to fit in at least two hours of training before my first lecture begins. This discipline and flexibility in my schedule ensure that I can pursue both my sporting and academic goals, challenging though the balance may sometimes be.

Challenges on and off the Road: Sport & Study

Combining a career in elite sports with pursuing a demanding study like medicine is certainly not without challenges. One of the biggest challenges I face daily is finding the right balance between the long hours I spend training and the time needed for my studies. Maintaining this balance is a constant struggle, where a lack of time often leads to stress and fatigue. This could not only affect my performance during training and competitions but also my academic results.

Additionally, managing injuries and physical fatigue while needing to perform academically is a challenge in itself. I aim to excel in both domains, which can sometimes be overwhelming and lead to conflicts in prioritizing. Missing classes or training due to overlapping commitments can lead to backlogs and extra stress, making it essential to find enough rest and recovery time. However, due to my packed schedule, this is often easier said than done.

The logistical challenges of adjusting my study time to match schedules and travel, along with the constant mental load of practicing elite sports alongside a demanding study, require a lot of resilience. Balancing social commitments with my responsibilities for both training and study can cause tension. A lack of flexibility in both my training and study schedules sometimes imposes additional limitations on my ability to be successful in both fields.

Cross-Pollination

However, my medical studies and cycling also reinforce each other on multiple fronts. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology greatly aids in understanding injuries and refining my training. I am particularly fascinated by exercise physiology; understanding how our bodies react to exertion is directly applicable to training techniques such as altitude training. This understanding of how low oxygen tension affects the production of red blood cells, specifically erythropoiesis, in our bodies, is something I want to utilize in the future.

Skills such as stress management and resilience are crucial, both in medicine and cycling. The discipline and perseverance needed in sports also help in tackling complex study topics. Additionally, my knowledge of nutrition and hydration is essential for optimizing performance and recovery in both domains. Finally, the communication skills I have developed through my studies are valuable in teamwork and coaching. In short, my medical studies and cycling nourish and enrich each other in unique ways.

After completing my medical studies, I hope to find a balance between my passion for cycling and a career in medicine. Although my heart is set on professionalizing in cycling, I do not rule out a future in medicine. Specializing in cardiology and possibly working with a cycling team would be a wonderful way to combine my two passions. On the other hand, I feel a strong attraction to oncology, a field that deeply moves me. I am convinced that the practical internships I will soon undertake in the hospital will have a decisive influence on my final choice.

Relaxation & Mindfulness

Cycling also offers me a haven from daily study stress, a natural stress reliever thanks to the endorphins released during physical activity. A morning on the bike sets the tone for a productive day; it improves my concentration and makes studying more effective. When the study load becomes overwhelming, a ride provides the perfect distraction. It helps me realize that I understand the material better than I think, and I return with renewed energy.

Cycling also serves as a form of mindfulness, where focusing on breathing and cadence helps me let go of all other thoughts. Pursuing personal goals on the bike boosts my confidence, which positively affects my studies. This balance between pushing my limits and acknowledging my achievements contributes to a healthy balance in both my academic and sporting life.

Ambitions & Dreams

My ambitions extend to both the sporting and academic fields. Earning my master's degree in medicine is at the top of my list, but I also dream of continuing my passion for cycling at a professional level. I hope to join our AG Insurance – Soudal World Tour team within a few years if I have proven by then that I deserve that step. I realize that combining this with internships in the final years of my study will be a challenge, but I am convinced that, with the support of my team and collaboration with the VUB's elite sports program, I can develop a feasible work and study schedule. The Tour of Flanders is the race I dream of; I see myself becoming a classic rider who can fully develop in this discipline over time.

Our team plays a crucial role in supporting my dual ambition in both the sporting and academic fields. They not only provide the necessary flexibility and understanding for my training schedule and competitions, allowing me to meet my study requirements, but they also show genuine interest in our activities outside cycling. This is actively encouraged and valued within the team, which is incredibly motivating.

Growing Together

The management and support framework have great respect for combining elite sports with study, and this appreciation gives me extra energy. They emphasize the importance of a balanced lifestyle, with enough attention to rest and recovery, to achieve peak performances in both sports and my studies.

Furthermore, the team works on a supportive and inclusive culture, where we encourage and support each other in achieving our goals. All this contributes to an environment where I can develop not only as an athlete but also as a student, allowing me to get the best of both worlds.

My Advice

To young athletes following a similar path, I advise finding a good balance between study and sport. Creating a detailed schedule for studies and sports, setting realistic goals, and communicating openly with your environment are crucial. Look for ways to connect your sport and study and don't forget to allow enough time for rest and self-care. With the right planning, dedication, and support, it is possible to be successful in both your studies and your sports career.