© ParalympicsGB

A track athlete from a young age, Kadeena Cox was a promising sprinter when she suffered from a stroke at the age of 23. Just four months later, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition where the immune system attacks the brain and nerves. An intense rehabilitation period followed, and whilst using a Wattbike as part of her rehab, Kadeena discovered she had a naturally impressive power output.

Spotting her talent, British Cycling snapped her up, and incredibly, just 18 months later, Kadeena joined Team GB at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. Competing in athletics and cycling, she made history with gold medal wins and new world records in the T38 Athletics 400m and the C4 Cycling 500m TT, becoming the first Briton since 1984 to podium in two different sports at the same Games. Fast-forward to today, and Kadeena is a four-time Paralympic gold medallist, most recently setting a new world record in cycling’s C4-5 500m Time Trial at the Tokyo Olympics. 

In this Q&A, EatLean ambassador Kadeena talks through her MS diagnosis and its impact on her performance, plus she shares more about the KC Academy, which she’s set up to help improve diversity and inclusion within cycling.