Redefining Balance and Boundaries: Lessons from Natalie Dau and Elaine Young on the Athlete's Voice Podcast [Ep 7]
- John Yeong
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Challenging the Myth of Balance and Embracing Boundaries in Sport, Parenthood, and Life
In a world obsessed with “balance,” it’s refreshing to hear voices that challenge the very notion.
On the latest episode of the Athletes Voice Podcast, ultrarunner, Guiness World Record holder and wellness advocate Natalie Dau, and elite triathlete and life coach Elaine Young; shared candid reflections on what it really means to pursue passions, nurture community, and show up fully as a parent.
From Records to Community
Natalie Dau, founder of Project 1000, has built a global community around women, wellness, and resilience. She shared her journey through the two transformative years of her initiative. “The first year was all about chasing the record,” she explained.
“The second year, the focus was all was about community.” What began as a personal challenge to push her own limits evolved into a movement where connection, support, and shared growth took centre stage.
For Natalie, the pursuit of excellence in sport parallels the pursuit of meaning in life. On the elusive concept of balance, she offered a truth many sense but rarely articulate: “There isn’t really such a thing as balance. Most people seek it, but it’s an illusion.”
Instead of trying to allocate equal energy to every role or responsibility, she focuses on intentionally investing her time and effort in what truly matters, whether that’s a long training run, a family dinner, or a community project.
Boundaries as the Backbone of Success
Elaine Young’s journey into life coaching mirrors a similar theme: clarity about priorities and the courage to enforce boundaries.
As an elite triathlete, Elaine has competed at the highest level while also navigating the demands of motherhood. These experiences shaped her coaching philosophy.
“Most of us don’t do anything well because we have poor boundaries and feel guilty about saying no,” she observed.
Her insight challenges a pervasive culture of overcommitment, suggesting that excellence—whether in sport, parenting, or professional life—requires intentional limits.
For Elaine, setting boundaries isn’t about restriction; it’s about creating space for meaningful engagement and avoiding the exhaustion of overextension.
Transitioning into coaching, Elaine draws directly from her athletic experience. “Endurance sports teach you resilience, consistency, and mental toughness,” she explained.
“Those lessons are incredibly transferable when helping others navigate their own journeys.” Her work now allows her to guide others in defining their personal metrics of success, emphasising self-awareness and alignment with one’s values.
Lessons Beyond the Finish Line
Both Natalie and Elaine revealed that motherhood doesn’t just coexist with athletic pursuits—it reshapes them.
Parenting, like endurance sports, demands resilience, patience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate setbacks without losing sight of the bigger goal. Both women see these lessons not only in themselves but in the communities they cultivate.
For Natalie, Project 1000 has become a global hub where women can connect, share, and grow together.
For Elaine, coaching allows her to help individuals understand that their potential isn’t limited by external expectations but enhanced through thoughtful boundaries and self-care.
Their conversation underscores a central idea: success isn’t about balance; it’s about conscious choices, aligned values, and a willingness to redefine what it means to “win.”
For those striving to juggle ambition, parenthood, and personal growth, Natalie and Elaine offer both inspiration and practical wisdom: embrace imperfection, invest time intentionally, and never underestimate the power of saying no.
As Natalie put it, “The real measure isn’t in doing it all perfectly—it’s in choosing what matters most and showing up for that.”
And as Elaine emphasised, “When you learn to set boundaries and honour them, you start doing fewer things, but you do them exceptionally well.”
In the end, the episode is a reminder that life—like sport—isn’t about evenly splitting energy or achieving some mythical equilibrium.
It’s about understanding your priorities, building supportive communities, and defining success on your own terms. And perhaps, most importantly, it’s about embracing the messy, beautiful reality of living fully. #AthletesVoicePodcast #NatalieDau #ElaineYoung