Clara Hughes brings Learning to Breathe to Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa
Clara Hughes, author of Learning to Breathe: A Memoir, which publishes Oct. 13.
Photo credit: Simon Baker
Clara Hughes has a new memoir arriving October 13, 2026, with launch-week events in Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa. Learning to Breathe: A Memoir, published by Simon & Schuster, turns to her life after elite sport and the physical and mental-health changes she says forced her to reconsider a long habit of pushing through pain.
Simon & Schuster describes the book as an account of Hughes's life after retirement, including a serious knee injury in 2021, menopausal symptoms, a return of depression and her decision to explore psychedelic-assisted therapy after seeking help through more conventional routes. The memoir also looks at the toll of months-long hiking and bikepacking trips, her relationships and the transition away from a life organized around elite performance.
Life after the podium
Hughes, who was born in Winnipeg, won six Olympic medals across road cycling and long-track speed skating. She earned two bronze medals at Atlanta 1996, then four speed-skating medals between 2002 and 2010, including gold in the 5,000 metres at Turin 2006. Team Canada identifies her as the only athlete to have won multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Learning to Breathe follows Hughes's earlier memoir Open Heart, Open Mind and keeps the focus on what came after competition. Simon & Schuster says the new book examines how the habits that helped her endure elite sport continued into retirement, and how injury and midlife changes forced her to reconsider them. An unabridged audiobook, read by Hughes, is scheduled for release alongside the print and ebook editions.
Launch week starts in Calgary
On publication day, Hughes will appear at Wordfest's Imaginairium Opening Night Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at the Patricia A. Whelan Theatre in Calgary's Central Library. She will share the event with former Canadian hockey captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall, with Leah Sarich hosting. Wordfest lists audience questions and a book signing as part of the 75-minute event.
Hughes returns to her hometown on October 15, 2026, for a 7 p.m. launch at McNally Robinson Booksellers' Grant Park location in Winnipeg. She will be in conversation with Shelagh Rogers, followed by a signing, and McNally Robinson says the event will also stream on YouTube.
The launch week continues in Ottawa on October 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. The Ottawa International Writers Festival event is hosted by Séan McCann and presented with Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada. It is listed as free, with both in-person attendance and streaming available.
Royal Winnipeg Ballet opens its 2026–27 mainstage season at Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall on Oct. 8 with Stravinsky Stories, a double bill that brings Alexei Ratmansky’s The Fairy’s Kiss to the company alongside the world premiere of a new Firebird by choreographer Houston Thomas.