We recently connected with Leanda Cave and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leanda, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I read an unknown quote recently and it said: “If you don’t take risks, one day you will work for someone who does.” This really resonated with me. I’ve never been one to simply follow the masses and find the path of least resistance. Early on, I rolled the dice and bet on myself.

I was a shy, awkward teenager who had few friends living in Australia, but originally from the UK. At the age of 14, sport became my currency in life and my voice. I found myself at a cross roads between higher education and pursuing my athletic endeavours. I chose the latter. I used university as an excuse to leave home right before my 17th birthday, knowing that I wanted to be the best triathlete in the world one day.

I was now 19 years old, and legally I could drive, but I couldn’t afford a car. I woke up religiously every morning I rode my bike wherever I needed to go – the pool, running track, work, grocery store, university, friends houses, and even races. I managed to juggle 3 part-time jobs in-between training, work and study.

After 2 years I decided to quite university and spend every last dollar I had to get myself from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia. All the best triathletes were living there at the time, but I couldn’t make it work because of the expense and additional hours of work I needed to make ends meet.

I ended up moving bank in with my parents right around my 21st birthday…….ugh!!! The sliver lining was working for Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo. When I saved enough money I left home for the 2nd time! I bought a flight to Europe – the Mecca of the triathlon scene at the time.

I maxed out my credit card, slept on floors, rented a rooms amongst strangers, took the train or Greyhound bus equivalent, to anywhere I could find a race. Eventually, a little prize money came my way and I reinvested this in a move to the UK where I also upgraded my equipment, living situation and eventually an old, but usable car!

In 2001, I started racing for Great Britain, I was born there after all. I did a European series and came 2nd overall, earning me a significant pay check. I reinvested it. I spend more money on equipment, a better living situation and flights instead of ground transport to races. I was betting on myself once again to be the best in the world and I truly believed I could be. But after finishing a disappointing 28th place in my first ITU World Championship event, I had some doubts.

I needed to train harder, find a better coach, do the little things every day that count. In 2002, I was 23 years old, and I competed in my 2nd world championship event in Cancun, Mexico. I won. I didn’t miss a beat. That pay check went towards buying my first property. I decided a new car was an unnecessary luxury. I picked up my first sponsors, a monthly salary from the British Triathlon Federation and finally, things were paying off.

Injury and politics would cost me a spot at the Olympics, not once, but twice. That paved the way for me to change direction from short distance triathlon racing to long. My 2nd world title would come in 2007 at the ITU Long Distance World Championships in France. I knew I could win the Ironman World Championships in Kona, I just had to keep at it. Five years later, in 2012 I not only won the IM World Champs in Kona, but also the IM 70.3 World Champs in Las Vegas.

I took risks, and I still do. I continue to take the path least travelled. But I prefer to discover what’s behind the mystery door or the blind corner as opposed to it being predictable. There are many chapters still left in my life, and it’s quite exciting to be finding new adventures and different directions every day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Today I am the COO at Innovative Alternative Clinic, where we have a variety of recovery modalities for sport and wellness. This is something that was either not available when I was an athlete or I did not have access to it due to affordability. I am here because a friend thought about me when he came up with the concept. So I gave up my coaching business in Miami to move to Tucson Arizona. Our services have been well received by professional athletes, but surprisingly, individuals who are looking to improve their overall health, wellness and longevity. We have a therapy – Human Tecar radio frequency – that are not available anywhere else in the states, as well as therapies that are not found at any other clinic in Tucson. Our biggest success is the Human Tecar, as it treats pain issues that clients have been unable to remedy elsewhere.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Our business receives no foot traffic so we need to generate our client base through initiatives within our local community. Thankfully, as a professional athlete, I did spend about 6 years living and training out of Tucson, Arizona, so I already had an established reputation and name for myself. I used this and my story to penetrate the local cycling, running and fitness community. With mostly word of mouth, people came in. There are many doctors and surgeons who ride bikes and run, and I get to make a personal connection with them. They use our clinic and also refer clients our way. We have tried putting money into a TV marketing campaign, however the most effective strategy for growing our client base has been referrals and word of mouth.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I’m a huge podcast listener. Anything sport/performance related, I’m listening to it! I’ve become a huge fan of Peter Attia and also Andrew Huberman. I think staying current when it comes to the latest information and studies is important. The health and wellness space is ever expanding, and the science is ongoing. We all want to live a longer and healthier life. I’m always a student!

Contact Info:

• Website: leandacave.com
• Instagram: @leandacave
• Facebook: Leanda Cave
• Linkedin: Leanda Cave
• Twitter: @leandacave
• Youtube: @leandacave

Image Credits
Paul Phillips – competitiveimage.us Innovative Alternative Clinic Fernando Sippel