by Beth Potter is part of Great Britain’s triathlon squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics – her second Games after competing in the 10,000 meters in Rio in 2016. She switched to triathlon after after those Olympics and won the final of the World Triathlon Championship Series in Spain earlier this year. .
Who is the one person you want to meet, dead or alive?
Mainly because I was watching the Netflix documentary, I’ll say David Beckham. To hear about his career and how he dealt with some really challenging times. I was interested to know that he was struggling with anxiety.
Describe yourself in three words.
Stubborn, impatient, but also very caring and loyal.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be able to travel time. That’s probably my impatient nature coming out. When I want to be somewhere, I want to be there now. After races I just want to be back home in my own bed.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
Probably something Alistair Brownlee told me because he doesn’t bring them out very often! If I’ve done something well and he congratulates me after the race or says “well done”. It would have to be a good enough show to make an impact and it’s the ones you don’t mind that matter the most.
What is your worst habit?
I can’t sit still. I always have to be doing something but it’s good for me to turn it off and it’s hard for me to get to that point.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
My mum probably dressed me for school. The shoes she made me wear meant I was always embarrassed to go to school and felt like I looked ridiculous. I would change my shoes and put the school ones in the bin because I didn’t like the ones she would buy me.
If you could switch lives with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be?
I want to be Taylor Swift on one of her Eras tour dates. Being on stage, singing all the songs – it would be really cool to see what that is.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Going on a camping holiday with my mum, dad and sister. We would do it every year and it was so much fun. I also remember going on holiday to Croatia and being on a banana boat, swinging from side to side. One of us was in the back and that bit would slip every time so you would give up and spend all your time trying to get back.
What is your favorite WhatsApp group?
It’s a group with some friends in Leeds called All The Doctors. I am the only person who is not a doctor, in medicine or with a Phd, but I made the group. There is always something funny going on and after races I return to messages from them.
What is your most prized possession?
My three year old cocker spaniel Charlie. I got him as a puppy and I love him to bits. He can do no wrong in my eyes, even when he is chasing sheep.
What song gets you on the dance floor?
Something is probably in the charts right now. Or a Britney Spears classic from way back, something old school.
What is your dream three-course meal with dinner guests?
I want all my family and friends to be in the same room because it’s not often that everyone gets together. First, I would have a nice burrata and tomato salad, then a series of pizzas and sticky toffee pudding.
If you could go on any reality TV show what would it be?
Race Around the World. That’s right up my street. I love a challenge, I love to travel, I love to see where I can reach and I am very competitive. I want to go to Asia and also South America, so maybe we could do it there. I would probably do it with my sister.
Do you prefer a night in or a night out?
Definitely a night in With pizza and my dog.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My training partners have said to keep going even when you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere. And believe in yourself. I struggled with believing in myself, so it’s almost like faking it to doing it and supporting yourself. It really helped me get to where I am today.
What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
Mumford and Sons at the Olympic Park.
What is your karaoke song?
Spice Girls – Wannabe.
If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or would you go into the future?
Back in time, to relive some memories. I don’t want to spoil what’s to come.
What is your greatest non-sporting achievement?
I got grade eight on the jazz saxophone, but I don’t play anymore.
What is the best book you have ever read?
I’m not a big book reader but I like autobiographies – Andre Agassi’s book was very good. I also like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
And what is your favorite TV show?
I like anything with crime stuff. Right now it’s probably Top Boy and the classic one is Line of Duty.
If you weren’t a sports person, what would you be doing?
I would probably be using my hands somehow. I like to do things. I have a teaching degree but I want to do something where I am making things. I don’t know what profession but something creative with my hands.
