Sports
Ana Paula: New Beginnings in Australia, Sport, and Career
Triathlete and doctor Ana Paula shares the challenges and triumphs of building a new life in Australia, with sport as a fundamental pillar.
In this episode of Girls Who Run, hosts Mariana Real and Marcela Fanti welcome Ana Paula, a doctor, runner, and triathlete. She details her courageous decision to move to Australia and the challenges of revalidating her medical degree. Sport, especially running and triathlon, proved to be a cornerstone for adaptation, forming new friendships, and building an inspiring routine on the other side of the world.
On the Girls Who Run podcast, hosts Mariana Real and Marcela Fanti chat with Ana Paula, a Brazilian doctor, runner, and triathlete who made the courageous decision to restart her life in Australia. In an inspiring conversation, Ana shares the behind-the-scenes of her move, the challenges she faced, and how sport became an essential tool for her adaptation and well-being in the new country.
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The Courage to Start Over on the Other Side of the World
The idea of moving to Australia, a country Ana Paula had never considered visiting, came through her husband, Bruno, who had lived there before and fallen in love with it. The process began in 2023, involving a long journey of visas and documentation. Ana, a recent medical graduate, saw the move as an opportunity to live in a new country, but with the priority of revalidating her degree. She arrived in Australia over a year and a half ago, entering a completely new and challenging environment.
Among the first cultural shocks, the language stood out. Despite being fluent in English, the Australian accent initially made her feel she wasn't "that fluent." Distance from family and adapting to new habits were also major difficulties. Ana underestimated the longing for home, realizing that online communication doesn't replace physical contact. However, the experience has exceeded all expectations, revealing a peaceful, safe country with an enviable quality of life.
Sport: A Foundation for Adaptation and Connection
For Ana, sport is not just a passion, but a fundamental pillar in her new life. She highlights the accessibility and encouragement of sport in Australia, which are reflected in numerous well-maintained public swimming pools, athletic tracks, and basketball courts in every community. From an early age, children are encouraged to participate in sports, with compulsory swimming lessons in schools and weekly competitions.
Running and triathlon became crucial tools for building a new support network. Ana found a turning point for making friends in the local running club, participating in casual training sessions followed by coffee, where connections deepened. The sport-friendly environment facilitated her return to triathlon, a modality she had paused due to studies and the move. The sense of security when running and cycling outdoors, without traffic or worries, was a major differentiator.
The Revalidation Marathon
One of Ana Paula's biggest challenges was the revalidation of her medical degree. The process required extensive self-study, with theoretical exams in English covering various areas of Australian medicine. She compared preparing for the exam to a marathon, facing frustrations and doubts after failing the first attempts. Interestingly, participating in an Ironman 70.3 two weeks before her third (and successful) attempt at the exam was crucial. The triathlon served as a mental fuel, reinforcing her capability and determination for the academic challenge.
Australian Culture and a New Outlook on Life
Her experience in Australia transformed Ana's perception of life and work. She noticed a more "easy-going" pace and a greater appreciation for rest and nature among Australians, in contrast to the intensity and "everything for yesterday" attitude of São Paulo. Another cultural, but positive, shock was how they deal with nature; spiders and snakes, though present, are treated with respect and often just removed from the house.
The ability to "slow down" became an ingrained habit, prioritizing well-being and balance. In her sporting journey, Ana Paula developed a maturity that allows her to listen to her body and not feel guilty for rest days. For her, sport should be an enriching factor in her life, not a source of pressure. This clarity about her priorities and the pursuit of balance extend to her vision of medicine, where patient care is the most valuable lesson she learned.
Ana Paula is an example of courage and resilience, showing how change and adaptation can be facilitated by a passion for sport. Her story reminds us that with planning and responsibility, it's possible to build a new life, with friendships, achievements, and a rhythm that truly makes sense.
All Out Run and Ticket Sports support this episode, reinforcing the importance of confidence in performance and encouraging sports entrepreneurship. Ana's journey, with its ups and downs, underscores that everyone runs their own marathon, and the ability to adapt and seek support is fundamental to crossing any finish line.
Be sure to follow Ana Paula (@anavieiratri) on her social media and check out the All Out Run collection with the coupon code GIRLSWHORUN.
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