Born to Ride

Professional cyclist Maddy Nutt, Class of 2016, has raced across Europe, Africa and the Americas, yet her route into elite sport was anything but conventional. When she was a student at LEH, she did not even own a bike. 

Since discovering cycling at the age of 20, Maddy has built an international career fuelled by determination, curiosity and a willingness to take bold risks. Along the way, she has embraced new cultures, overcome significant setbacks and become a compelling voice on neurodiversity in sport. We caught up with her to hear about the experiences that have shaped her journey and the advice she would offer to today's LEH students. 

Looking back on her time at LEH, Maddy says she could never have imagined becoming a professional cyclist. Although she loved sport and competed in volleyball outside school, a career as an athlete felt more like a distant dream than a realistic ambition. 

"I definitely dreamed of being a professional athlete, but I didn't find my sport until I was 20," she explains. 

That unexpected discovery has since taken her around the world. One of the greatest rewards of her career has been the chance to experience different countries and cultures in a deeply personal way. Ahead of races, she often spends time riding with local cyclists, gaining an insight into everyday life and building connections that reach far beyond the competition itself. 

Travelling has also shaped the way she sees the world, giving her a greater appreciation of different ways of living and a keener awareness of her own privilege growing up in London. Time spent training and racing in Spain and South America has helped her develop her Spanish, something she values enormously. 

"Being able to communicate with people in the local language definitely elevates my connection and experience with the places I'm staying," she says. 

Before becoming a professional cyclist, Maddy worked in finance. Leaving behind a stable career to pursue elite sport was a significant decision, and not one she made lightly. 

"In all honesty, I'm not sure where the confidence came from," she says. "I had a gut feeling that things would work out." 

That decision marked a turning point, a step into uncertainty but also a full commitment to a path she felt passionate about. For Maddy, it reinforced her belief that following instinct can be just as important as following a conventional plan. 

"I learnt that following your heart and passion over sense and security leads to longer-term happiness," she reflects. "In the short term it can be stressful, but with persistent hard work you can make things work and live a life that is genuinely enjoyable." 

Like all endurance athletes, Maddy has faced her share of setbacks. One of the most challenging came in 2024, when she was diagnosed with pericarditis during a race in Mexico. Severe chest pain whilst riding a 240-kilometre course told her that something was seriously wrong. 

The diagnosis brought an immediate halt to training, with weeks restricted to short walks and no structured exercise. For someone whose life is built around movement, the sudden change was hard to bear. 

"I sought other hobbies and ways to entertain myself, and spent a lot of time in my kitchen," she says. 

The experience tested her resilience whilst also reinforcing her adaptability and patience. Gradually, she rebuilt her fitness and returned to the sport she loves, with a renewed appreciation for her health. 

Her advice to the LEH community is clear and powerful. 

"Commit fully. If you want to achieve something, you lose nothing from giving it your all." 

Maddy believes that success comes from wholehearted effort, whether in sport, study or any other ambition. She reflects on moments in her own life where full commitment made the difference, from intensive language study in Spain to training and living as a full-time athlete before her professional career was established. 

"One thing that LEH taught me was that it was never embarrassing to try hard," she says. "I've taken that into my adult life, and it's definitely one of the reasons I've achieved what I have." 

Maddy has also spoken openly about being autistic and the role neurodiversity has played in her career. Rather than viewing it as a limitation, she sees it as a strength that actively supports her performance. 

"I think neurodiversity isn't a barrier to high performance; it can actually be a superpower," she says. 

She highlights her ability to focus for long periods, her appreciation of routine and her commitment to structured training as qualities that align naturally with professional cycling. She hopes young people understand that there is no single definition of success, and that difference can be an advantage. 

"I've met neurodiverse Olympians and highly successful people who are neurodivergent, and many put their success down to that very difference." 

From discovering cycling later than most to building a career that has taken her across the globe, Maddy's story is a reminder that ambitions can evolve in unexpected and remarkable ways. Her journey reflects curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Above all, it shows the power of being fearless enough to follow your instincts and bold enough to commit wholeheartedly to what you love. 

Whether taking a leap from finance into professional sport, recovering from illness, or embracing the strengths that come with thinking differently, Maddy has forged her own path with determination and confidence. Hers is a powerful example that success does not come from fitting a mould, but from having the courage to be yourself, to think differently and to pursue your goals without fear. For today's LEH students, it is a reminder that they are capable of far more than they might imagine, and that some of the most rewarding journeys begin when you dare to believe in your own potential.