How ironwoman Jordan Mercer’s injuries made her stronger

The age of professionalism is rapidly transforming women’s sport across Australia. We captured five women as they went through the grind of training in their quest to be the best. 

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The age of professionalism is rapidly transforming women’s sport across Australia.

No longer is it about pretty picture opportunities and demeaning pats on the back — these are real, tough sports stars working their guts out to compete with the best in the world.

Award-winning Sunday Telegraph sports photographer Phil Hillyard spent 2018 capturing five women as they went through the grind of training in their quest to be the best.

Here in her own words, ironwoman Jordan Mercer talks about how a family tragedy transformed her approach to sport.

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How was I going to say yes to the pain I willingly put myself through every day?

It was the key question as I wondered whether I’d ever be the athlete I was again or even compete at all.

I had injuries — a foot fracture that needed surgery, then a fracture in my forearm — and there was doubt.

I had achieved the Ironwoman title, six Molokai paddleboard titles, Australian board champion, a world Ironwoman representing team Australia.

Then just like that, I was sat on the sideline and couldn’t defend them.

Ironwoman Jordan Mercer has overcome a lot of difficult times in her life as a professional athlete. Picture: Phil Hillyard

After working for something for six years I suddenly look like a one-trick pony.

Then, when I thought it was finally under control there was something else thrown my way.

When my uncle Dean died it was such a shock, but, strangely, it was what got me competing again.

I knew my family needed some normality and that came with me competing; being at the beach and bringing people together. I thought ‘I have to do this. I’m going to put my body together and overcome that injury, overcome that next injury’.

And I did. I went over to Denmark and I won the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. It was less than a week after Dean died.

Mercer loves her sport. Picture: Phil Hillyard

She has suffered a number of injuries. Picture: Phil Hillyard

I was not near my best, I was still in pain, but I had to race and it was on the world stage. There were opinions of ‘Jordan, is this what she is now?’

But for my loved ones I needed to be brave and do what I could do.

That win felt like a turning point. I went on to win the Ironman in Bali and was ready to defend my title here in Australia.

Then it happened again.

As I ran up the beach at Coolum in November, my foot went in a pothole. It felt like my foot just folded, there was no structure to it.

Jordan Mercer pushes through pain to succeed in her sport.

It wasn’t until after the race I realised I’d injured my good foot. Then it was another two weeks of waiting to find out what needed to be done.

In my gut I knew I could do it but then there was a larger part in the earlier days when I thought, ‘There’s no way I can go through it again. I know I’m capable, but I just don’t want to have to.’

Mercer says “injuries and setbacks have helped me achieve some of my proudest moments”. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Mercer is dealing with the death of her uncle Dean, an ironman legend. He died in a car accident in 2017. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Injuries and setbacks have helped me achieve some of my proudest moments. They’ve made me stronger and made me wiser.

But I can now embrace some rest. It’s up to me to make it a negative experience or something that can change my life for the better.

Originally published as How ironwoman Jordan Mercer’s injuries made her stronger