Nacho Sanchís: Inspired by Carolina Marín to Conquer the Dakar
The name Carolina Marín, the renowned badminton champion, might not be the first that comes to mind when thinking about the grueling Rally Dakar. Yet, her unwavering spirit and determination have resonated with athletes across disciplines, including Nacho Sanchís, a Dakar veteran.
Sanchís, reflecting on his three Dakar experiences in an interview with Marca, vividly recalled the harrowing events of 2023. During the pre-race shakedown, a treacherous sand dune sent him airborne, resulting in a broken leg, a fractured clavicle, and back pain.
“It was a nightmare,” sanchís recounted. “The pain was excruciating as they transported me from the pickup truck to the ambulance. Morphine provided temporary relief,but the agony returned.”
His journey to the hospital was an ordeal in itself. The initial helicopter was too small to accommodate his injured leg, forcing him to endure a four-hour flight in a second helicopter. Upon arrival, doctors were unable to immediatly set his fracture.
Alone, save for his miraculously intact mobile phone, Sanchís spent five days in the hospital before returning to spain.
Facing a crossroads in his career, Sanchís drew inspiration from Carolina Marín’s philosophy. After a serious injury, marín famously declared her desire to control her own destiny in sports. Sanchís, though not a professional athlete, deeply resonated with her words.
“I didn’t want my Dakar journey to end like that,” he confessed. “I wanted to decide when and how it would conclude.”
Two years later, Sanchís is back, confronting his fears head-on. During this year’s shakedown, he encountered a dune eerily similar to the one that caused his accident.
“Seeing it brought back memories and, as I haven’t trained as much this year, it was nerve-wracking,” he admitted. “But facing these challenges is helping me overcome the trauma.”
Sanchís’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the inspiration that can be found in unexpected places. Like Carolina Marín, he embodies the spirit of pushing through adversity and achieving personal triumph.
Facing Fears: Nacho Sanchís on Resilience and the Dakar
Welcome back too SportsTalk, where we dig deep into the minds of the athletes who inspire us. Today,we have the incredible Nacho Sanchís,a veteran of the grueling Dakar Rally,joining us. Nacho, welcome to the show!
Nacho: Thanks for having me! It’s great to be hear.
Let’s jump right in. Your story is remarkable, Nacho. You suffered a truly horrific crash in 2023, breaking your leg, clavicle, and enduring immense pain. How did you manage to stay positive through such a difficult experience?
Nacho: Honestly, it was incredibly tough. The pain was excruciating, and being stuck in that hospital for five days, feeling helpless, was demoralizing.but amidst the darkness, I kept thinking about Carolina Marin’s words – about controlling your own destiny.It gave me the strength to believe I wasn’t done with the Dakar, that I could overcome this and return on my own terms.
That’s truly inspiring. Many athletes might have called it quits after such a setback. What made you push through and decide to come back?
Nacho: For me, it was about more than just finishing the race. It was about proving to myself,and maybe others,that you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It was about facing my fears head-on and reclaiming control over my journey.
And you did just that. You returned two years later and even confronted the very dune that caused your crash. How did that feel?
Nacho: It was nerve-wracking, especially as I hadn’t trained as much this year. seeing that same dune, feeling the same anxieties, it was a test of my mental strength. But you know what? I faced it head-on, and that, in itself, felt like a victory. It was a huge step towards healing my trauma.
Your story echoes a powerful message of resilience and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity. What advice would you give to other athletes, or even everyday peopel, facing their own challenges?
Nacho: Never give up on yourself. There will be times when you want to quit, times when you feel like it’s unachievable. But dig deep. Remember your ”why.” Find inspiration, surround yourself with support, and never stop believing in your ability to overcome.
Nacho, thank you so much for sharing your incredible story with us. It’s truly an inspiration to hear about your strength and determination. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Nacho: Thank you for having me.
And now, we want to hear from you, our viewers! What inspires you to keep pushing forward when faced with challenges? share your thoughts in the comments below.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
