Champion Mountain Biker and Coach
K A T Y
C U R D
Katy Curd is one of the best female riders in the UK. She is 3 time British 4X Champion, 2010 Downhill National Series Champion, 2012 European 4X Champion, 2013 4x Pro Tour winner as well as having 7 other World Cup Podiums.
She is also a CTC qualified mountain bike instructor runs her own coaching company.
Tell me a little bit about you…
I am a professional mountain biker, rider and mountain bike coach. I love being outdoors and I am never happier than when I am in the forest and on my bike!
Do you consider yourself to have any mental health issues?
I would say like many I have definitely suffered with mental health issues. I never really understood the depth of mental health until I found myself down and depressed, feeling alone and lost, feeling scared to reach out to anyone, feeling like I was broken and felt I had to hide this from others and just put on a brave face. Luckily I have some amazing friends who helped me see otherwise.
How do you think getting outside improves mental health?
I find simply just surrounding yourself in nature completely allows the mind to be totally in the moment, seeing the wildlife around you, literally taking a breath of fresh air. It definitely allows me to switch off and just get drawn into my surroundings forgetting about all the crazy untrue thoughts that may have previously been spinning around in your head.
Has someone ever initiated a conversation about their mental health with you and if so, can you tell me a little bit about this?
I have had friends reach out to me after speaking out publicly a little about some of the things I have felt and been through. Friends feeling like they just need someone to talk to, not needing answers or a solution but to simply just talk to someone and say how they feel. I know it gives people a feeling of release, like they can almost let go of these feelings once they have talked about them out loud.
Do you have a favourite place to go when you need some downtime, if so where?
The forest! Anywhere I'm surrounded by trees, away from people, away from technology, away from the noise of traffic. Just the simplicity of being surrounded by nature.
Finally – What two items would you take with you if you were shipwrecked on a desert island where all your food and water needs were taken care of?
My bike and my girlfriend!!!
