Sports
Luli Cox: The Multisport Journey and the Flower People Philosophy
From adventure racing to cross-country skiing, Luli Cox transforms challenges into a vibrant and inspiring lifestyle.
In this episode of XTREMMA Sports, endurance sports icon Luli Cox sits down with Shubi Guimarães to discuss her journey. She shares how her passion for multisports and her 'Flower People' philosophy drive her. Discover inspiring stories of overcoming challenges, finding joy, and achieving longevity in sports.
On XTREMMA Sports, host Shubi Guimarães welcomes Luli Cox, a multi-athlete whose journey is a testament to her passion for challenges and the joy of exploring the world through sport. Known for her versatility in disciplines ranging from adventure racing to cross-country skiing, Luli shares how her life philosophy intertwines with her relentless pursuit of new experiences.
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From Adventure Racing to the World: A Multisport Journey
Luli Cox's childhood, split between Ilhabela and Campos do Jordão, was shaped by the influence of athlete parents who exposed her to various activities like hang gliding, free diving, and windsurfing. This multisport foundation naturally led her to adventure racing in 2003, a world where she discovered a fascination with diversity and unpredictability.
After years dedicated to adventure racing, including a World Championship in Portugal, Luli felt the call to explore new horizons. In 2008, the challenge of the Cape Epic, an iconic mountain bike race in South Africa, propelled her forward. Alongside her partner Dri Boccia, Luli tackled the Cape Epic in 2009 and, in 2010, the inaugural Brasil Ride, marking the beginning of a legendary partnership in the multisport scene.
The "Flower People" Style: Fun and Performance Without Sacrificing Inspiration
Luli and Dri developed a unique approach to competition, focused on both performance and fun. With their pink outfits, superhero capes, and playful accessories, they not only had a good time but also inspired other women to get into sports. The "Flower People" philosophy, which originated from a decoration company and evolved into a registered trademark in sports, became an invitation to celebrate life and movement.
One of the most notable examples of this philosophy is the Loire 725, a 725 km Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race along the Loire River in France. Paddling in tandem for 7 days, Luli and Dri faced skepticism with an inflatable board, overcoming obstacles and portages with strategy and the resilience forged in adventure racing. Their determination proved that combining seriousness with joy can lead to overcoming "impossible" challenges. Currently, Luli guides bike trips and hikes along the Camino de Santiago through Flower People X, her company in Portugal, continuing to share her passion with other adventurers.
Always Learning: Unusual Challenges and the Pursuit of New Skills
Luli's thirst for new experiences led her to learn sports from scratch. A striking example was the Vasaloppet, a 92 km cross-country skiing race in Sweden, which she discovered in a film. Training with roller skis in Portugal and having only two sessions on snow, Luli completed the race, demonstrating her passion for acquiring new skills and her conviction that sport is a path to continuous discovery. In 2013, the "365 Sports Project" saw her practice a different sport each day of the year, illustrating the infinite possibilities in the sports world.
Her next big adventure is the Red Race in Mongolia, a four-day race on a frozen lake, highlighting her quest for uncommon experiences that take her to inhospitable and challenging places.
The Essence of Sport: Resilience, Discovery, and Longevity
Reflecting on the evolution of adventure sports, Luli and Shubi note a shift towards a less "raw" scene, where technological predictability and comfort can weaken athletes. They advocate for the importance of dealing with the unpredictable, both in sport and in life, as a way to build resilience and mental strength, especially from childhood.
Luli shares her preference for smaller races, those with "soul," that offer the opportunity to explore stunning and lesser-known landscapes, such as Patagonia, the Cruce de Los Andes, the Picos de Europa in Spain, and Serra da Capivara in Piauí. For her, sport is a powerful tool for authentically experiencing the world and promoting active longevity.
More than just collecting podiums, Luli Cox lives and breathes the Flower People philosophy: celebrating life, savoring every moment through sport, and inspiring others to embark on their own adventures, coloring the path with fun and overcoming challenges, as far as imagination allows.
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