Diagnosed Late. Misunderstood for Years. Now She’s Racing Bikes – Connie Hayes
Diagnosed Late. Misunderstood for Years. Now She’s Racing Bikes – Connie Hayes | Ride to Success Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Ride to Success podcast, host Pedro Couto Lopes sits down with British cyclist Connie Hayes — a semi-pro rider for O’Shea Racing, a Geography MRes graduate, and a bold voice for neurodivergent athletes in sport.
Connie opens up about being diagnosed with autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia in her early 20s — and how those labels, far from limiting her, became the key to unlocking her identity. From racing in elite events like the Women’s Tour of Britain and RideLondon Classique, to hitting rock bottom with injury, burnout, and grief, Connie’s story is a lesson in resilience, honesty, and redefining success.
Topics we cover in this episode:
What it’s like to race bikes as an autistic athlete
Masking, late diagnosis, and reclaiming identity
How injury forced Connie to rediscover the joy of riding
Why you don’t need to “fit in” to win
Building better support for neurodivergent individuals in sport
Connie’s upcoming goal: cycling around the world
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the mold — this conversation will challenge, inspire, and empower you.
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Listen to the Full Episode