Text from article written by Ruby Kraner-Tucci Health Reporter for News Corp, published Tuesday 24th March 2026 :
More than a ‘revenge body’: Experts reveal the power of a post-divorce transformation
‘I'm so proud of myself for achieving this after my divorce’
Kylie Anderson always used sport to process her emotions – and when her marriage of over two decades ended, she said exercise was “her saviour”. The 50-year-old divorced from her ex-husband in 2020. By that time, Ms Anderson had already been competing in triathlons for several years, but decided to set her sights higher on an Ironman race.
“Training and racing is part of who I am,” said Ms Anderson, who lives in Queensland. “It was a really vulnerable time during the divorce and financial settlement, so training with that (Ironman) goal in mind kept me positive. “I would have a session with my therapist and that would be exhausting, but then I would go for a run or go on my bike or swim and be able to process what we talked about. “It was a huge part of my healing.”
“I have never felt more powerless than I was going through the divorce,” she said. “But we do have power in us, and doing an event like Ironman reminded me of that. “Pushing through your comfort zone, getting stronger and building confidence – it was a journey of seeing who I really was and what my limits are.” Ms Anderson completed her Ironman in 13.5 hours, an outcome she was “really happy” with.
She said an Ironman stood for “commitment” and “dedication” and felt proud to have such a title to her name. “The sense of achievement, the absolute high, I’ve never felt anything like that in my life,” she said. “Having gone through a divorce – the uncertainty, stress, emotional pressure – for me, Ironman remains one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. “I proved to myself that I can do hard stuff and I can survive.”
Keywords: divorce recovery, resilience, women’s health, menopause, perimenopause, midlife fitness, women over 40 fitness, women over 50 fitness, Ironman triathlon, triathlon training, endurance sport, mental strength, emotional healing, rebuilding after divorce, single parenting, grief and healing, personal growth, fitness journey, strength training for women, active lifestyle, women in sport, female athletes, empowerment, confidence, community support, Australian activewear, triathlon apparel, women’s triathlon kit, FOHER Co, Kylie Anderson
Alt title: From divorce to Ironman, Australian female small business entrepreneur Dr Kylie Anderson shares a raw story of resilience, menopause, grief and rebuilding - and the community behind FOHER Co that kept her going.
