Luka Potocar: Using sport climbing lessons to overcome battles away from the wall

Helping Lucka Rakovec through cancer

Potocar’s mental strength and bravery off the wall were severely tested in November 2023 when his girlfriend and fellow professional climber, Lucka Rakovec, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

After a successful surgery, she was hit with a viral stomach infection, and the rehabilitation took a toll on them both.

“It was not very easy. I now feel really exhausted about everything that happened,” Potocar continued.

“One of the toughest things was her relationship with climbing. She was pretty down and didn’t know how to train again. So it was pretty hard for two months but I just stayed with her all the time and tried to keep her motivated to start climbing again.

“Of course, I knew that it wouldn’t be a big problem for her because she loves climbing. But at the end of the day, it’s health first and then start climbing again.

*“*But now everything is pretty much OK, so it was worth the wait, and we got her ready for the Olympic qualifiers.”

As an elite climber, Rakovec processes impressive determination to succeed.

But her partner is unsure whether this was a help or a hindrance during her comeback.

“Maybe being an athlete can be good, but sometimes it’s not because you’re constantly trying to put the sport first,” Potocar said, smiling.

“So maybe you’re not going to listen to your body or return to sport too fast. You maybe don’t feel so well but you just keep trying to train as you normally would, and you could make things worse. Patience is the most important part.”