Anna Meares Now

Book excerpt: From 2004 to 2016, Anna Meares was one of Australia's greatest and most popular Olympians, a winner of two gold medals and medals at four Olympics. She overcame a broken neck to win silver at the 2008 Beijing Games. She is an inspiration not just because of her sporting achievements, but for way she answered the potentially debilitating question faced by all retiring athletes: What happens now? Anna confronted personal crises, including the death of her coach from motor neurone disease and a marriage breakup, and learned plenty as she first stumbled but now strides down a bright path. She has a new career, is happy in her personal life and is the mother of a baby daughter. Her sporting life is only part of this story. Her recent wins have added a new dimension to what has been a remarkable life.