Open Heart, Open Mind
Clara Hughes
A Reading Group Guide

1. Throughout Clara’s sporting career, she endures not only intense physical pain, but also incredible emotional instability. In your opinion, does Clara’s emotionally traumatic childhood contribute to her capacity for physical endurance? How did her chaotic inner thoughts influence her focus on cycling and skating?

2. Discuss your perception of mental health before and after reading Clara’s story. What have you learned through reading her memoir?

3. The ability to transition between speed skating, cycling, skating, and then back to cycling is an incredible feat of strength, dedication, and adaptability. What can we learn from Clara’s willingness to start from scratch by participating in these two sports?

4. Clara realizes that much of her pain is connected to the guilt she feels about her family’s dysfunction. Though some of this pain is mitigated by helping others, ultimately Clara must let go of her sense of responsibility for her family members. Are you or is someone you know struggling with a similar situation?

5. As the title suggests, readers are welcomed into the inner workings of Clara’s mind and heart. What is your opinion about being so publicly honest? How will learning about Clara’s inner and outer struggles benefit her readership?

6. In the “permanent off-season” after her retirement, Clara had to overcome restlessness, anxiety, and severe self-doubt while learning how to be happy without the distraction of competitive sport. She has found relative peace by finding ways to give back and connect with others, but most importantly, she has come to terms with the fact that her medals and accomplishments, while a huge part of her life, do not define her. What does Clara represent to you, aside from her successful sporting career?

7. Though Clara loved professional cycling and skating, and has won medals in both sports, she finds many of her happiest moments exploring trails and wilderness parks by herself or with her husband Peter. Where is the place you are the happiest? Why are you happiest there?

8. Clara has had significant struggles with substance abuse and body image issues in her life, in large part because of her turbulent upbringing and demanding career. Her psychological breakthrough in 2007 with Owen Schwartz helped her realize how she could heal, but she still deals with the difficulties of her mental state every day. What do you think the bird that appeared in Clara’s regression therapy meant to her?

9. Clara has stressed that her proudest moments occurred when she was helping others, whether through Right to Play, Bell Let’s Talk, or her contribution to various other outreach programs. When have you been most proud of yourself? How important to you is sharing your accomplishments with others?