Interview with Charlotte Borghesi

'The fine line between addiction and passion'

Charlotte is a mum of 7 children, business woman, owner and general manager of a furniture company, avid CrossFitter, sailor, triathlete, horse -back rider, and golfer and I could probably list another dozens of sports that she has tried and excelled in so far in her life.

Charlotte is one of my neighbors and I got to know her better since the lockdown. When I met her and her husband Paolo on the running track last May, we vaguely talked about the idea of doing the Dubai Ironman70.3 and going on a bike ride in Al Qudra together.

The bike ride didn’t happen in the end and I thought that we would never talk about triathlon together ever again. What I didn’t know is that the seed had been planted in Charlotte’s head and that she had already decided to make it her next challenge. Next time I saw her, she was swimming 3km in the pool three times a week and she had also inspired another neighbor to take on triathlon. A month later, she was already training 15 hours a week and planning to do some ‘fun’ long-distance races. One evening, she casually ran a marathon on the treadmill, just to see how it feels.

I thought she was crazy and was pushing herself way too hard and too early in her training program to be sustainable. But Charlotte doesn’t do things half and for a while, I thought that it was a form of addiction that was driving her. That constant need to work out that sometimes leads to social seclusion, chronic injuries and eating disorders.

Now that I know Charlotte better, I can tell it’s not addiction but a fantastic, inspiring and powerful passion that drives her. A passion for life, adventures, physical activity and new challenges.

Charlotte, what does sport represent to you?

It represents strength, youth, health and resilience. People who are into sport, athletes, have to overcome failures and disappointments at some point and that makes them stronger.

My parents have always been sporty, they are my role models in sport. My mum was a champion steeplechaser, I am so proud of her. My dad was playing football and he was an amazing swimmer. He saved the life of one of my friends. Someone not sporty would have never been able to save her.

My first sport was horse-back riding. From my earlier years, I learnt that there are days when you lose and fall and you have to get up again. This is when you need resilience. I can relate even more so since the beginning of my business career. All my role models in business are also sporty people, people who want to challenge and push themselves, who are willing to get up early and work hard.

I used to do pentathlon through the pony club. My parents always pushed me and I did all kinds of sports: hunting, pentathlon, show jumping, cross country. For me, it was about getting involved in as many sports as possible. This is why I can do any type of sport now. Because sport has always been all-encompassing.

Between your 7 children, your furniture company and your busy schedule, which place does sport have in your everyday routine?

I feel like I have to train every single day. If I don’t train in the morning, I feel l am not ready to start my day right. After a work-out, my body feels better and I enjoy food more. If I take a day of rest, my body feels stiff.

My job and family life are so busy and sport helps me to switch off. I forget everything when I work out. My husband asked me the other day what I think of when I cycle for 3 hours. Honestly, I don’t know. Sport is the moment of the day when my mind switches off and my body takes over.

What motivates you?

I have such a longing for life, I want to stay fit physically and mentally as long as possible. This is how important sport IS really.

How many hours a week do you train?

If I have a lot going on, I usually train about 7 hours a week. When I am less busy at work, I do 3 hours a day, so up to 15 hours a week. Not because I have to, but because I want to. I could train for the Ironman and not do the Ironman. I don’t care about the medal. I do it for myself. Staying young and healthy is key.

How many hours of sleep do you get every night?

A lot. Definitely around 8 hours. I can manage on 6 hours for a few weeks but then I get exhausted.

How do you keep a balance?

My social life is my family and friends who like things I do. I can’t really just go out for drinks or dinner, I much more prefer to do an activity all together or to explore something new. I have my work, family and sport.

Balance is what keeps you fit, energized and recharged. For me, relaxation is not watching a movie, I don’t even have a TV, never have. I read a lot, in bits. You can say I am a book hoarder.

Do you think you are addicted to sport?

Yes, maybe. This morning for example, I knew it was going to be a busy day but I had to work out before I could start anything. Well, no actually, I am not addicted but I feel better when I work out. It cleans me out. I am not addicted, I am passionate. The world is such a great place, you need your full capacity to explore it.

What would you like to say to someone who doesn’t understand your dedication to sport?

We only live once, and we have only one body. The only single thing limiting your body is your mind. One day you will get old and you might not be able to do what you want anymore. The more sports you do in young age, the more you can do later. When my Garmin watch tells me I have a fitness age of 20, I say YES! Sport should be about habit and mindset, to stay young for much longer, not to have any regrets.

You are currently training for a half ironman but you also do CrossFit. How do these two activities complement each other?

They do complement each other. What makes me fast on the bike is the strength and level of fitness I gained with CrossFit. Running and cycling is not the end goal. The end goal is to stay fit. All the ways to stay fit are good. Aerobic fitness plus core fitness. I never feel body ache when I cycle, that’s thanks to the CrossFit training I do as well.

How did you manage to do sport during your five pregnancies?

I was still doing sport in my own way. More yoga and Pilates. I slowed down, there is just too much risk associated with high intensity sport during pregnancy. I was not lifting weights, not rope skipping. I kept fit and healthy but I knew I was not going to beat any records.

Thankfully, after the pregnancies, I was able to gain my fitness back very quickly.

How are you influencing your children with regards to sport?

I encourage all of my kids to do sport. I want them to try and see what they like. Every week, for the younger ones there is tennis, swimming, sailing, gymnastics and ballet lessons. They are all so competitive, also amongst each other. The bigger kids are very talented, my oldest son is into weight lifting at the moment, but he is good at any sports really. My oldest daughter is into downhill mountain biking.

If you had another life to live, would you change your relationship to sports?

One of my biggest regrets in life is that I haven’t done anything in sports to my fullest potential. I would have liked to be a professional athlete, to have sports play a more central role in my life. One of my weaknesses is that I want to do so many things that I can never focus enough.

If I had to pick one sport it would be laser sailing at a competitive level. It’s outdoor, in the water, in the elements of nature. It requires great fitness, a lot of tactical skills, mental strength and takes you all over the world. If I could pick a second one it would be cycling.

If you had a wish, which athlete would you like to have lunch with?

I love Sara Sigmundsdóttir, weightlifter and CrossFit champion. I love her because she can do any sports. From marathon to shooting and she is an amazing weight lifter. She is such an approachable person, a real one. She is just a regular girl you can relate to at many levels. I like athletes who inspire other people.

I also like the British marathon runner Mo Farah. He really brought a lot of pride to the British Sport. He is from an ordinary background and has worked with young athletes to have a positive impact on their lives.

Which race/competition would you dream to do?

I would love to go to Kona for the Ironman World Championship in my age group. I want to do one great sporting achievement. So, that’s my goal.

But I also would like to take part in a sailing race around the world. I want to do it in a team as a crew member.

Follow Charlotte @charloborghes

Q&A by Anne Muehlenbeck