It comes from overcoming obstacles and fighting back when the odds are stacked against you.

For professional athletes, resiliency is key and for cancer survivor Jessica Douglas, it's what she believes has helped her become a world champion.

Speaking to The Courier at the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI), Ms Douglas shared how her fight against Hodgkin Lymphoma at 14 years old helped her develop elite resiliency.

"Resilience is huge, when things are getting tough or feeling like something is so big you'll never be able to get over it, being able to persevere is massive," she said.

"Without cancer, I wouldn't be who I am today... I would never wish it on anyone but for me it helped me develop strength and resiliency."

As a three-time world and Australian 24-hour solo mountain bike champion, Ms Douglas is hoping to help FECRI reach its fundraising goals as the 2020 Ballarat Cycle Classic ambassador.

As an ambassador, she stressed the importance events like the Cycle Classic carry in raising funds for such a huge issue.

WATCH A PROFILE ON JESSICA DOUGLAS HERE:

"I guess it's just an opportunity to give back to the community for me.

"I've spent the last 15 years becoming a world champion in my field of mountain biking and I like to use that for the greater good of the community so the fact that I'm a cancer survivor is just an added factor.

"I think the ability I have, regardless how small it is, to connect with the community in Victoria is very important. People need to know that a $5 donation can do so much, it's all about chipping away."

Now based in Geelong, Ms Douglas said she had no idea FECRI was doing cancer research so close to home and pushed the need for further research and development.

"Even though I've recovered from cancer, there are constantly new cancers being discovered and needing to be researched so it's a fantastic fundraising opportunity for me to be involved in.

"Research like this is absolutely essential. Without research and funding, research will stagnate. The feeling here is that that's not good enough and we can conquer cancer.

"Someone will always be touched by cancer, so we all need to be involved in fighting back."

The 2020 Ballarat Cycle Classic will take place on Sunday, 17 February.

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