Kat Ross on the Power of Pushing Through Adversity

“It’s about the journey, not the destination.” “Hard things make hard people.” “You can’t have the rainbow without a little rain.” The list of moderately motivational clichés could go on, but I think you get the idea. There are so many parallels between what we experience in sport and what the experience of life is like; that the ups and downs of both are really the core of the journey, and the source of all our lessons—if we’re listening.

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That’s something that sounds very obvious, but it has only truly landed with me over the last few years since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Seven years ago, which feels both like yesterday and like a hundred years ago at the same time, my life changed in a way I never saw coming. It was a day exactly like any other, but also the start line of a completely different view on life.

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Ironically, it was a missed adventure race that led to my diagnosis. What I thought was food poisoning and an ear infection resulted in me losing my hearing on one side. At the time, I thought missing the race was the biggest crisis of my year. Amazing what a bit of perspective can do. To cut a long story short, three months later I had my hearing back and a diagnosis of MS. That story involved specialists, MRIs, hearing tests, steroids, and more symptoms, but in the end, my life had changed forever.

I was an athlete before I was diagnosed, and I decided immediately that I would stay one. I firmly believe that our limitations only define us if we let them. But life events like these force you to step back, reevaluate who you are and how you see yourself, and decide what truly matters.

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Life is going to serve you lemons. That is just a fact. Some are small, like missing a training session because work ran late or realising your dog has dug yet another hole in the yard. Others are much bigger, like a personal loss or a major health crisis. But how we respond is what defines us. After my diagnosis, I was determined to respond by living larger and better than ever before.

So, I did what any normal person would do. I launched into a deep dive on wellness from every angle—sleep, nutrition, training, mental health, and medication. Naturally, I also entered a multi-day mountain bike race. How hard can it be, right? Since then, I have kept learning, growing, finding new challenges, and testing the boundaries of my resilience. And here is what I have learned. Resilience is a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets. That is good news for off-road athletes, since we are already pretty good at pushing our limits.

“Resilience is a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets.”

That does not mean it has been easy. I have tested and exceeded my limits many times, both in life and in sport. I have cried, been injured, doubted myself, felt out of my depth, threatened to quit, panicked, and crashed my bike more times than I can count. But the thing about resilience is, you always get back up. Whether you are an elite, a first-timer, only XTERRA-curious, or a decorated mid-pack athlete like me, the process of building resilience is the same. Our response to the challenge, whatever that challenge is, is our greatest weapon.

For those of us lucky enough to train and race off-road, the joy is as much in the training as it is in the racing. Living in Perth means I get to train outdoors year-round, except for the gym, of course. Access to bush trails for riding and running, and to the ocean for swimming, is one of the great rewards of living here. Even if we do complain about the cold in temperatures that would count as summer in other places. I like to mix up my training based on my target event and integrate other activities like ocean paddling, strength training, and more recently, a bit of road cycling.

"I was an athlete before I was diagnosed, and I decided immediately that I would stay one. I firmly believe that our limitations only define us if we let them."

My training for XTERRA Australia, the host of this year's Asia-Pacific Championship, includes a fair bit of MTB skills training, as it is one of the more technical triathlon courses, which I love. You need to be sharp on your bike handling and comfortable on loose surfaces. XTERRA Australia was my first full-distance off-road triathlon, and I have been lucky enough to race it for the past two years, though I was a regular at local adventure races before that. I have kept a strong annual tradition of thriving through the swim, frothing through the mountain bike, and literally falling flat on my face during the run. Somehow, that performance has landed me on the age-group podium both years. This year, I am shaking things up, racing as part of a team and delegating the tripping-over to a friend. It is such a stunning course and a brilliantly organized event, and I cannot wait to do it again.

My love for off-road and outdoor sport is deeply tied to my love for nature and the environment. As off-road athletes, we are privileged to race in places like Dunsborough and the South-West, but that privilege comes with a responsibility to protect them. Racing internationally has given me the opportunity to see parts of the world many never get to, but those places will only remain special if we work to keep them that way. I hope every XTERRA athlete shares that mindset. We must tread lightly while we enjoy these incredible playgrounds.

That journey of growth and resilience only ends when you decide to stop pushing forward, and I am far from finished. Besides XTERRA Australia, I have got a few other challenges lined up for 2025, including my first gravel race and a trip to Europe to tick off some iconic cycling climbs. More than anything, I want to keep proving that a full and adventurous life with MS is possible. The fear that sets in after a fresh diagnosis is best countered with good medical advice and good examples. I want to keep showing that anyone, MS or not, can push beyond their boundaries and set big, audacious goals if they are willing to try.

"That journey of growth and resilience only ends when you decide to stop pushing forward, and I am far from finished."

Choosing a challenge, stepping outside your comfort zone, committing to the process, putting in the work, and recognizing your progress along the way. That is the journey of life I want to lead.

Footnote: For anyone wanting to learn more about MS, access support, or make a donation to MS research (tax deductible), MS Australia (or your national MS society) is a great place to start.