Porcia Kietzmann Athlete Ambassador
Porcia made the move to triathlon after a successful career as a professional ballerina. She talks to Sundried about her aspirations for the future.
Have you always been into sport?
Both sport and the arts have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was constantly juggling a very busy schedule between dance, rhythmic gymnastics, athletics, swimming, netball, tennis, softball and water polo. Sport has always played a massive role in my life and has moulded me into the person I am today.
How did you first get into triathlon?
I decided to enter into triathlon because both my dad and sister have competed in many Ironman races and I have stood on the sidelines cheering them on and knowing that one day I want to be a part of that amazing world.
While I was performing professionally as a ballet dancer, I was not able to commit to these races, however now that my ballet career has come to an end, I am able to jump right in and tackle a whole new set of goals and aspirations.
What's been your best race to date?
For triathlon, I've only competed in one which was the Johannesburg Ultra Sprint Triathlon in South Africa, which I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely got bitten by the triathlon bug to continue progressing to bigger races. The next triathlon that I am training for is the London Triathlon in August 2020.
And your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement thus far would have to be the fact that I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a professional ballerina. All the hard work, dedication, discipline, long hours, sacrifice, internal battles and literal blood, sweat and tears was hundred percent worth it and I would never regret a second of it.
Sports and Art teach you a lot about yourself and your character and groom you to be the very best version of yourself when aiming to achieve your goals.
Have you ever had any racing disasters/your toughest race yet?
Yes I have. There have been times whilst performing when mentally, physically and emotionally I felt like I was not able to carry on or even get through the first act of the production. But as those curtains go up and you begin to conquer what you went there to do, you get to that final curtain call and the overwhelming sensation of pure joy, happiness, love and passion overrides all the struggles as they become a faint memory and you grow stronger and stronger every time. I get the same proud feeling when I cross that finish line.
How do you overcome setbacks?
Setbacks in my mind are learning curves. Nobody is perfect in this world and the setbacks that come our way are there to prove to ourselves that we are stronger than we think because if it was easy then everyone would do it. It is how you come back from those setbacks that shows true character, discipline, strength and determination.
What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started competing?
Since I am new to the triathlon world it is difficult to answer this question, but I look forward to being able to answer it in the near future.
What are your goals for 2020?
My 2020 goal triathlon-wise is the London Triathlon. I am so excited that I am able to be a part of the race. From there on, knowing myself, I know that a Half Ironman will be on the cards.
Who do you take inspiration from?
For me, inspiration stems from an accumulation of factors. Learning from family and friends' past experiences as well as from my own personal experiences is of utmost importance to me as I really take to heart the lessons surrounding their goals and my own that keep me motivated and push me to achieve what I set for myself. I would say that hearing others' interesting stories keeps me interested and keen to try to set various goals for myself.
What do you like about Sundried and what's your favourite bit of kit?
Sundried's brand and kit oozes with professionalism, respectability, quality, elegance and is extremely striking. The ethos their brand is derived from pairs well with who I would love to affiliate myself with. My favourite part about the brand is that Sundried offers a vast product range to accommodate all athletes and demands.
