Episode 56: Laura Siddall Won’t Die Wondering

Laura Siddall started triathlon in 2009, won four age group world titles, turned professional in 2013, and became a multiple Ironman champion with two top-ten finishes at the Ironman World Championship in 2022. In this episode of The Infirmary, Laura describes the biggest hole of her career: being hit by a car at Ironman Brazil in 2023, the brain bleed that followed, and the physical, mental, and financial slide that came after a wild-card return to Kona. She talks through her decision to retire, the grief of the first year without racing, and the work of building an identity beyond the sport. Laura also shares her coaching pet peeves (swim watches, auto lap, ERG mode, and the belief that more training is better), explains how forced rest taught her what sleep does for mood and energy, and tells the story behind her motto, “Don't Die Wondering.” The conversation closes with Sid Squad, her mentorship program for young female triathletes, and the support system she wanted to build for professional athletes at the PTO.