Sport/specialty/profession
Professional Surf Ironwomen
Socials
@lizziewelborn
About
In the world of professional Ironwomen, few names resonate with as much ardour and respect as Lizzie Welborn. A beacon of determination and excellence, Lizzie's journey through the demanding arenas of competitive sport is not just a testament to her athletic prowess but also a vivid illustration of her deep-seated values and commitment to making the world a better place. Beyond her remarkable achievements in the surf and sand, Lizzie stands out for her passionate advocacy for sustainability and environmental conservation, making her an inspiration both in and out of the athletic realm.
From her early days, growing up in a family that cherished the ocean, Lizzie's path was always going to be intertwined with the salty breeze and the waves. Her journey from a young enthusiast participating in nippers to becoming one of the youngest athletes to qualify for the professional Ironwoman series is a narrative of perseverance, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. With a career adorned with top finishes in the iron series and gold medallions at the Australian Championships, Lizzie's achievements in the sport are as impressive as they are inspiring.
However, what truly sets Lizzie apart is her commitment to leveraging her platform for the greater good. With a background in environmental science, she has been a vocal advocate for reducing plastic pollution, engaging in beach cleanups, and inspiring her community to adopt more sustainable practices. Her plant-based lifestyle further echoes her respect for the environment, showcasing how one can achieve peak physical performance while also caring for the planet.
Lizzie's work with Kamana, focusing on uplifting young women in sport, is yet another feather in her cap, underscoring her belief in empowering the next generation to pursue their passions with vigour and purpose. Her holistic approach to life, balancing rigorous training with meaningful advocacy, embodies the very essence of what it means to be a champion.
As we delve into the heart of Lizzie Welborn's world, from her gruelling training routines to her favourite plant-based meals and her personal endeavours in environmental conservation, it's clear that her story is not just about athletic glory. It's a powerful narrative of resilience, responsibility, and hope, inspiring us all to chase our dreams while being mindful stewards of the world we inhabit.
Athletic Journey: Could you briefly tell us about your path into professional sports and a couple of your most memorable achievements?
I grew up in a family that love the ocean and I loved doing nippers, being with my friends and training hard. Success didn’t come easily or quickly for me, but I loved the challenge of racing and seeing how good I could get, so I persevered. The only NSW state final I made in my entire nipper career was the Ironwoman final in under 13’s. At age 15, I got a good season of hard training under my belt with him, and then I started to take off. I went from never making a board final at state to coming second at the Australian Championships in the under 15 board race and Ironwoman race. The following year, at age 16, I was introduced to the realms of open racing. It was a scary and surreal experience racing against all my idols, and an amazing feeling to be competitive in this field. At the end of that season, winning a silver medal in the open board race behind Liz Pluimers at the Australian Championships led to the creation of my biggest and most ambitious dream: to qualify for the professional Ironwoman series in the coming season. I trained my guts out all winter and never lost focus on the goal. In August 2015, I won the qualifying series, making me the third youngest athlete ever to do so. I have now raced for 9 years in the professional series and achieved many results I am very proud of, including 3 top 3 finishes in the iron series.
Preparation and Goals: What's your approach to training and preparation for competitions? Are any specific goals or competitions on the horizon?
I try to focus on the process, set small goals and let everything fall into place. It is much easier said than done and this is still something I am working on. But I believe that consistency is the key to being able to reach your athletic potential. I still have the goal of winning an ironseries title and an Australian ironwoman title.
Sustainability in Sport: With your environmental science background, how do you blend sustainability into your daily life and training? Any specific environmental causes close to your heart?
I try to be a good role model for people in my surf club, and for the surf club community in general. I have raised a lot of awareness for the harms of plastic pollution in my surf club and over my social media. I just try to share the simple action I do in my every day life to reduce plastic. Our surf club has participated in a number of beach clean ups and reduce our plastic footprint significantly since doing this. Reducing plastic pollution in our oceans is definitely the cause closest to my heart..
Plant-Based Lifestyle: How does following a plant-based diet benefit your training and performance? Any favourite meals or supplements?
I have been plant based for over 4 years now. When I first started being plant based I was very strict with eating no animal products but now I eat a bit more dairy here and there. I would still call myself plant based though. I would like people to realise it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, or be perfect all the time. However, eating more fruits and vegetables definitely helped me recover faster and feel better in general. I also really enjoy all the favours of plant based meals. My favourite is a big satay stir fry.
Personal Advocacy: Beyond athletics, what personal projects or causes are you passionate about, especially regarding environmental conservation?
I have been plant based for over 4 years now. When I first started being plant based I was very strict with eating no animal products but now I eat a bit more dairy here and there. I would still call myself plant based though. I would like people to realise it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, or be perfect all the time. However, eating more fruits and vegetables definitely helped me recover faster and feel better in general. I also really enjoy all the favours of plant based meals. My favourite is a big satay stir fry.
Brand Collaboration: What excites you about our collaboration, and how do you see our brand's eco-friendly, plant-based values aligning with your lifestyle?
One of the most effective ways to conserve our environment is to eat less animal products. Substituting some animal products for plant based products is one of the easiest ways to make a difference. It doesn’t mean you have to swap everything, but being conscious of it and trying new options is perfect. Pranaon have such a great range of plant based protein powders, it is so easy to make this swap. I would like people to know using their protein powders can not only benefit performance but are also better for the environment. Furthermore, if you are someone who is experimenting with a plant based diet, products like these are the easiest ways to get a good protein hit in. I use protein power almost every day to get that bit of extra protein in.
