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Being a high performing athlete can be challenging at the best of times. People sometimes forget that with the challenges that come with being an athlete, there are also personal challenges to conquer as well. There has to be some balance. We spoke with Andrea Hewitt about how she deals with the balance.

鈥淲alking my niece to school,鈥� is Andrea Hewitt鈥檚 rather unexpected response. She hasn鈥檛鈥攏ot this morning anyway鈥攂een in pool for two hours, run 20km, or cycled to Timaru and back. Instead, she鈥檚 been for a stroll, chatting to her sister, taking her niece to school.

鈥淔amily and friends are really important to me,鈥� says Andrea. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been into sport鈥擨 was swimming competitively from the age of six鈥攂ut my friends were all at the beach, so I took up surf lifesaving.鈥� At 19, Andr茅a represented New Zealand in surf lifesaving. Then it was suggested she give Triathlon a go and in her first event she qualified to represent New Zealand in the Under 23 World Championships. Which she won.

鈥淚 love my sport, I鈥檓 competitive and I鈥檓 committed to my training,鈥� says Andrea. 鈥淏ut you can鈥檛 think about it all the time. You have to focus when you need to and then be able to switch off. Spending time with friends鈥攋ust being myself鈥攁ctually helps me do better when I am competing.鈥�

鈥淓specially when you鈥檙e overseas. New Zealand is so far away; you need that support, to help you keep everything in balance. Laurent was so important for that. You are a person first and an athlete second.鈥�