Professional cyclist Noa Jansen has always held a passion to cycle at the highest level, but that love was clouded by an eating disorder that slowly stole her joy, her strength, and her sense of self. What began as rules in her head, “rewards” with food, and the praise of being thinner as an athlete, soon spiraled into a reality where she was unrecognisable to those who knew her best. Eventually, her body gave out, leaving her unable to race, and forcing her to face a truth which led to her hospitalisation and her first steps to recovery.
On this episode, Noa speaks with raw honesty about what it meant to lose not just her physical health, but the dream she had built her life around, and the courage it took to fight her way back. Her recovery was not only about eating again, but confronting the mental battles behind her disorder, surrendering to the painful process of healing, and slowly rediscovering the joy she once felt as a young girl on her bike. Along the way, she was supported by incredible mentors like Natascha Knaven founder of NXTG and Leontien van Moorsel, who helped create a safe space for her to rebuild herself and her dreams.
Today, Noa Jansen rides fiercely for the Liv Alula Jayco women’s team, carrying with her the scars of struggle and the strength of survival. In our conversation, we also speak about the ongoing pressure from the media around professional cyclists and the constant commentary on weight, something we saw at the Tour de France Femmes this year. How does Noa feel about stepping on the scale now? And what are her goals as she rides for the Liv Alula Jayco team? Noa is so incredibly open and brave about her story and her voice needs to be heard. This is a story of vulnerability, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that refused to die.