Chasing the spark

From Olympic track cyclist to line cook and coach, Callum Saunders has never stopped chasing the spark that drives him. Raised in Marlborough, he reflects on the twists, triumphs, and lessons of a life lived with purpose – as told to Adrienne Matthews.

Where it all began

I wasn’t a particularly competitive kid growing up. I loved sport, but more for the camaraderie and fun rather than chasing wins. That all changed around the age of 12 when I began racing bikes. It was like a switch flipped inside me. From that point, the spark was alive, and it’s never left.

Growing up in Marlborough, I was lucky to be surrounded by a strong sporting culture. We had an incredible group of young cyclists, older athletes doing amazing things, and passionate coaches. That environment made it easy to fall in love with the sport. I dabbled in basketball early on, but by high school, cycling took over. I did road and mountain biking before focusing on track sprint at 16. At the time, a good mate of mine, Quinn Karwowski, was on a similar path. We pushed each other and competed at Junior Worlds together.

My first major trip was to the Oceania Champs in Adelaide in 2012, and from there the pathway opened up. Being nominated for the Olympics was surreal. The process is long and complex, involving national selectors and the Olympic committee. I was named as a reserve for Tokyo but ended up competing in the team sprint and Keirin, and a year later, at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. It was such a privilege to compete for New Zealand.

Overcoming a heart condition

That journey was made particularly challenging by a heart condition I had been dealing with since 2012. Just after a breakthrough race in the US in 2019, I finally captured one of the episodes on a mobile ECG unit. Two weeks later, I was in surgery. The timing was wild. I got the Olympic call only six weeks post-op. Excitement was mixed with fear, but thanks to a great medical team and support network, I made it through.

The heart scare reminded me that what we do as athletes is a privilege. Injuries and health issues can knock you down, but they also give perspective.

New directions

I am in the process of completing a Master’s degree in economics. I’ve always been passionate about science and data, and my final research project involves exploring solar energy uptake in New Zealand, using machine learning to analyse past trends and forecast future growth, combining economics with cutting-edge data science.

After stepping away from elite sport, I found myself drawn into a completely different but equally rewarding world of the kitchen. I’ve always loved food. My parents are incredible cooks, and I grew up in a family that really values good produce, with roots in diving, hunting, and even viticulture. Cooking was something I always enjoyed at home, and I thought it might be something I’d want to explore more seriously one day.

Finding my place at Number 11

When I moved back to Marlborough last November, I wanted to find some work alongside my study. A good friend sent me a job advertisement for the new Number 11 restaurant at Wairau River, and I jumped at it. I’d always admired chef Sam Webb’s work, especially his food at Frank’s Oyster Bar. My younger brother and I both applied and got jobs there.

Now I’m working as a line cook in a small, collaborative kitchen. I love it. The discipline and repetition is good for me, and I really enjoy the team spirit. I spend my days studying, cooking, and riding. It’s a great balance and I feel extremely fortunate.

Passing it on through coaching

Coaching has also become a meaningful part of my life. I currently work with nine athletes – a mix of New Zealanders and members of the Italian team programme. It involves remote gym and track sprint programming, writing plans, reviewing footage, and giving feedback from afar. Sprint is such a technical sport, that it pushes athletes to become really good at seeking input and self-evaluating.

I got into coaching after being lucky enough to have an incredible coach myself in Chris Ginders, whose selflessness and passion really stuck with me. It felt natural to give back. I started with a young athlete up north, then worked with a group of talented kids in Cambridge. I’ve also been selected to coach at Junior Worlds this year, which will be my first official coaching contract and something I’m really proud of.

Lessons beyond the track

What sport has really taught me is to live with intention. The people who achieve exceptional things are often the ones who are proud of who they are and clear about the path they want to take. Sport continues to give me so much and I hope to pass on what I’ve learnt to others. Now that I’ve stepped back from elite competition, it’s harder to stay motivated without that daily structure and team around you, but I still carry the joy of it.

Sport has given me more than results. It has given me purpose, connection, and an incredible journey.