Tara Neyland: A Journey Into Para-Sport | Watt Matters

Tara Neyland: A Journey Into Para-Sport | Watt Matters In Episode 9, we sit down with Tara Neyland to discuss her journey into para-sport, the challenges that have come with it, and the lessons she’s learning along the way 🎙️ Tara takes us through her journey from a lifelong involvement in sport, to being diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, and the challenging transition into para-sport that followed. While Tara is now a multiple World Champion - claiming titles at the Road and Track World Championships in the road race, time trial, elimination race, scratch race and kilo during an incredible 2025 season - this episode is about far more than medals 🥇. We dive into the emotional realities of classification, identity, self-discovery, resilience, and the mental challenges that came with accepting a new sporting pathway. Tara speaks openly about the highs and lows of her journey, the process of learning track cycling from scratch, and how she is developing the mindset needed to perform on the world stage while managing the ongoing challenges of FSHD. We also explore the realities of life as a para-athlete, misconceptions surrounding para-sport, Tara’s mission within the sport, and the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey. This is an honest and important conversation that offers a genuine insight into life as an elite para-athlete. Whether you’re involved in cycling, sport, or simply interested in stories of resilience and human performance, there is something valuable to take away from Tara’s experience. Watch on YouTube 📺 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast @nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc https://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/ https://nocsportsscience.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 06:13 Tara’s Youth / Journey Into Sport 10:11 Tara’s Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) 14:00 Classification Process in Para-Sport 17:50 Mental Challenges of Transitioning Into Para-Sport 32:15 Learning Track Cycling From Scratch 44:11 2025 Race Preparation & Focusing on the Controllable 49:45 The Positive and Negative Emotions of Winning World Championships 56:10 The Future for Tara / 2026 Racing 58:00 Listener Questions