Destined to SOAR: An interview with Siena Goulding Track Cyclist

Celeste KocabayOct 25, 2022

Destined to SOAR.

This interview series is aimed at celebrating, recognising and promoting the incredible talent and ferocious courage of our young women of tomorrow.

Let's recognise the magnificent effort of girls' in sport across all codes!

Today our interview is with Siena Goulding. Soar Active had the privilege to catch up with Siena in the Queensland suburb of Mooroobool to hear her story.

Siena, tell us about your early life?

Siena: I am 11yrs old and I live in Cairns, Far North Queensland.

I actively compete in athletics, swimming and both road and track cycling (velodrome). I hold 3 current Qld Track Cycling State records and have recently qualified to compete at my first Australian National Junior Athletics trials for the 800m and 1500m next year.

How did you get involved with cycling?

Siena: Dad removed my training wheels when I was four years old and without any hesitation I began cycling around our cul-de-sac, shortly after Dad took me to our local cycle club on the weekends where I started on a track bike. For those that may not know what a track bike is, it is a bike with no gears or brakes. You control both speed and braking with your legs, in most situations you ride on a banked velodrome.

My dad is my coach so that makes the network that supports me very strong.

How do you balance your competitive training and managing school?

I have a daily training plan that is set for the entire season, though it’s not just me cycling everyday. My plan covers yoga, strength sessions, plyometrics, swimming, running, of course cycling and the most important mindset development sessions.

I find this works really well for me personally as I train and race my best with some structure in place. This training plan helps me keep focused on the day ahead and dad believes that building a strong foundation is one of the main keys to success.

As my season is pre-planned, this gives me the opportunity to use my unscheduled time and I can catch up with my friends, plan my schooling and homework. This will work in my favour as I head into high school next year.

Of course, sometimes things don’t go as planned and Dad will work to adjust as needed to support me in that particular moment. My physical health and mental health, at school, home and on the track is more important than trying to win a race.

What do you do in your downtime?

Siena: I sleep, draw anime pictures and I love to read. My favourite books right now are the Wings of Fire series. I also enjoy watching a good movie, when I can fit it in.

When I have time around my training, I love catching up with my friends. They are super supportive and they always make an effort to include me in social things but never make me feel like I’ve let them down, as they know my ambitions include a lot of hard work.

On the flip side, I love it when they participate in my training sets. When that happens, Dad is always there to help and it's super fun.

What is your ultimate goal?

Siena: To attend the Olympics, be a World Champion in Cycling and be a role model and advocate for other young girls who are thinking of getting active in sport or who are courageously out there training hard in their competitive sport.

What makes you feel happy/brave/strong?

Siena: Definitely when I race, that is the fun part. Getting to that start line involves a lot of hard work and as I live in a regional area when I am able to make a race I need to feel that I have put my best version of myself forward. Being brave and strong is something that I am still learning and embracing as I navigate through the ups and downs that come with competitive training.

A special moment in the last year and why?

Siena: Qualifying for National Junior Athletics Trials 800m and 1500m. I am still a year away from being able to compete for national selection for cycling. If I can podium at the trials in March 2023 it will be my "First National Podium".