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 mould, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and empower you.

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🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Social Links to Ride to Success:

Follow Pedro Couto Lopes:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-couto-lopes/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridetosuccess/

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Thanks for listening

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