Women in Sport – A Conversation with Michelle Mifsud
As part of our Women in Sport: Strength, Stigma & the Silent Struggles series, we spoke with Michelle Mifsud, the first Maltese woman to complete a Double Ironman. Known for her quiet determination and love of endurance, Michelle shares how her journey wasn’t about proving anything to anyone, it was about committing, showing up, and realising she was capable of more than she ever thought.
Michelle, you recently completed the Double Ironman, an incredible achievement. How did it feel to reach that milestone?
It still feels surreal at times, but to be honest, I never really saw it that way. My primary goal was simply to finish. I dedicated six months specifically to preparing for this race, averaging over 20 hours of training each week while also working full time. It was a true reflection of dedication and discipline. On a personal level, it reminded me that I’m often stronger than I think. I genuinely believe we’re capable of achieving incredible things when we put in the work and stay committed.
What led you to take on something as extreme as a Double Ironman, was there a specific moment that sparked the decision?
It was more of a gradual build-up than a single defining moment. A few years ago, I was preparing for a race I’d planned to enter, but got called into work unexpectedly just days before. Still, a few weeks earlier, I had run 86km solo as a self-supported simulation. In April 2023, I cycled up Etna three times in a row, and a friend joked that with my stubborn mindset, I’d probably end up doing a double Ironman someday, and I guess that planted the seed.
Then in October 2024, I swam around Comino, roughly 7.5km, and earlier that year I spent a few months doing specific bike training, eventually cycling from Milan to Girona over seven days. I’ve always been drawn to endurance and knew I had done some good distances in all disciplines, and at some point, the idea just clicked. I thought, “This is doable,” and decided to go for it.
How did you prepare mentally for something so physically and emotionally demanding?
I genuinely believe that mental strength needs to be trained just as much—if not more—than physical training. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to train alone; around 95% of my sessions were solo. There were sessions where you hit a dark place and have to dig deep to push through, but when that moment comes in the race, you’ve already been there. You know how to handle it.
I also spend time visualising the race, imagining the start line, cycling through the night, beginning the run at 2 or 3 a.m. You try to prepare mentally for the things that can go wrong, but equally important is learning to stay calm and adapt when they do.
Were there any female-specific resources or guidance that supported you through this process?
No, there wasn’t really anything female-specific available to me. Most of the journey I had to figure out on my own through research and personal experience.
What message would you share with other women who might be thinking of doing something that feels “too big” or out of reach?
Your body is capable of so much more than you think, and your journey doesn't need to look like anyone else's. Social pressures and doubts are real, but they’re not fixed. Every time you choose to show up for yourself, even when it’s scary or hard, you’re rewriting those expectations. Start small, stay consistent, and let your confidence build from there.
Michelle Mifsud will be one of the featured speakers at Women in Sport: Strength, Stigma & the Silent Struggles, happening on Thursday 7 August at MOVE Clinic.
🎟 Book your place: https://checkout.revolut.com/en-MT/buy/3e24b367-9ad6-4625-a371-6b05f8401c6b
