Dual world triathlon champion and three-time world number one Emma Carney was told she would never run or compete again once diagnosed with a serious heart condition. 

For six years, Carney had experienced a series of cardiac arrests in training and competition without quite grasping what was wrong.

Dizzy and fatigued, Carney felt terrible but never told any one. Her solution was to train harder until a major cardiac episode amid training in Canada forced Carney into retirement in 2004.

But that does not mean she gave up.

The heart is a muscle and adopted the view that like a calf tear or hamstring strain it might be possible to rest for awhile and gradually start training again.

Despite initial reservations of her cardiologist, Carney works closely with the specialist to maintain a level of fitness so she can enjoy moderate exercise. Carney had surgery for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator which can shock her when she exercises too hard or when a fiercely competitive streak flares up.

Carney relayed her tale in a special Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club monthly dinner on Wednesday night.

In a story of dramatic ups and downs, this ongoing chapter is a slightly understated but incredibly key point.

Carney says the worst thing you can tell an athlete is they will never run or compete again, yet her true resilience found a way to make it work for her.

She might not be obliterating the competition she once did, or training at the aggressive intensity she was renowned for, yet she is still striving to be her best and leading by example when so many others would have become engulfed in self-pity.

“I muddled along really. Life was very up and down,” Carney told Press Box. “I suppose you always think you’re going to get better but you survive. As a (professional) athlete, you know it’s going to end sometime.”

Carney skyrocketed to the top after first setting her sights on a world championship. She won the ITU World Titlle in Wellington in 1994 – it was her first international race.

Frustration crept in as her condition and career dwindled. Carney missed going to the Sydney Olympic Games and remains adamant she should have become an Olympian.

Family and support are the key ingredients, Carney says, in coming out the other side with positives.

Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club had long booked Carney as a guest speaker for their June event, which was modified into a rare open event as a benefit dinner for seriously injured Ballarat triathlete Christian Ashby and his family. Carney publicly offered her encouragement and support to the family, eager to help – when needed – in navigating their way through adversity.

Online, Carney has developed a no-frills training guide to help people achieve their sporting goals and keep motivated. It is in listening to Carney’s personal sporting journey where you can learn the real life lessons.