Strictly 2026 contestant Dame Sarah Storey has revealed how overtraining led to chronic fatigue syndrome and “four years of hell with my health”.
Sarah shared details of her early-career health problems with The Guardian. She now joins the Strictly cast for a very different physical challenge.
The decorated Paralympian is excited about swapping elite sport for the BBC ballroom. However, her route to the dancefloor follows several difficult periods of illness and recovery.
Sarah is a contestant on Strictly this year (Credit: Splashnews.com)
Sarah Storey describes the impact of overtraining
In 1996, Sarah moved to Leeds after the Atlanta Paralympics and sought a place at a local swimming club.
She revealed the head coach refused her entry because of her disability. Sarah was born without a functioning left hand.
The rejection left her coaching herself, which she said contributed to excessive training and serious health consequences.
“They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, although it led to me having to coach myself, overtraining and ending up with chronic fatigue syndrome and four years of hell with my health,” she explained.
She struggled with refuelling, sleep and finding a sustainable training balance. Despite the toll, Sarah said the experience deepened her empathy for other athletes.
Sarah Storey faced iron struggles after childbirth
Sarah later endured another prolonged health struggle after the birth of her second child.
On Morning Live, she said significant blood loss caused her haemoglobin level to fall sharply. It dropped from nearly 16, considered strong for an athlete, to below 10.
Sarah said: “I felt absolutely dreadful.”
Rebuilding her ferritin stores proved especially difficult, even after her iron and haemoglobin improved. She said she had not regained high ferritin stores, while questioning whether the change could be permanent.
Sarah described the extended effects as horrible because she felt unwell for such a long time.
Sarah has suffered various health problems (Credit: Splashnews.com)
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
