Stillness In Speed
Demitria Chalkias on the mental game of racing – and life.
There’s a distinct roar that comes with breaking barriers, not just the kind heard at 200 km/h on a racetrack, but the quieter, stronger kind that echoes when a woman enters a space not built for her and makes it her own. Meet Demitria Chalkias, Canadian race car driver and fierce competitor in a sport long dominated by men. Behind the helmet is a woman fueled not only by horsepower but by grit, focus, and a relentless pursuit of wellness, mental, physical, and emotional. In this exclusive Optimyz cover story, Demitria shares how she stays grounded in a high-octane world, why mindset is her sharpest gear, and how she’s using her platform to challenge expectations, break norms, and inspire women to race toward their own bold ambitions.
You’ve carved out a name for yourself in one of the most male-dominated sports out there, what first drew you to race car driving, and did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today?
I was drawn to racing not because I wanted to prove something, but because I felt something. From the first time I sat behind the wheel, I felt an electric connection — a kind of clarity I hadn’t found anywhere else. The speed, the control, the instinct — it demanded everything from me, and I loved that. I didn’t set out thinking I’d carve a path in a male-dominated sport. I just knew I wanted to push limits — my own, and the ones society places on people like me. Looking back, I couldn’t have predicted the exact road I’d take, but I always knew I’d find a way to make my mark.
Motorsport demands laser focus and high-pressure decision-making at incredible speeds. How do you train your mind and body to stay sharp on and off the track?
Racing is a mental game disguised as a physical one. My training is twofold: I condition my body to be resilient and reactive, and I train my mind to be present under pressure. Physically, it’s strength, mobility, and endurance — I have to be able to handle G-forces, intense heat, and long races. Mentally, I work on focus, clarity, and staying grounded — whether that’s through visualization, mental rehearsal, or controlled breathwork. When I’m in the car, I don’t have time to overthink. My body reacts because I’ve trained it to. My mind stays calm because I’ve taught it how to.
Being one of the few women in this sport, have you faced moments where you felt underestimated, or had to prove yourself more than others? How did you navigate those experiences?
Absolutely. There have been moments where I could feel the doubt before I even stepped onto the track — not because of my skill, but because of my gender. Early on, it lit a fire in me. I felt like I had to prove I belonged, over and over. But over time, I shifted that mindset. I stopped performing for validation and started competing for myself — for the love of the sport, for the little girl in me who believed she could. That shift gave me power. Now, I don’t need to convince anyone. I just show up, do the work, and let my performance speak.
Many people don’t realize how physically demanding racing is. What does your wellness and fitness routine look like to keep you race-ready?
Racing isn’t just about driving — it’s about enduring. You’re strapped into a cockpit that can hit 50°C, your heart rate spikes like you’re running a marathon, and your neck and core are under constant stress. My routine reflects that. I focus on functional strength — especially neck, core, and grip training — plus cardio for endurance and heat acclimatization. Recovery is just as important: I prioritize sleep, hydration, and physiotherapy. Wellness for me is about preparation and preservation — training hard, but also listening to my body when it whispers, so it doesn’t have to scream.
What do you do daily, or weekly, to stay mentally resilient? Do you practice mindfulness, meditation, journaling, or anything unique to help you cope with stress and performance pressure?
Mental resilience doesn’t come from avoiding pressure — it comes from facing it with tools. For me, mindfulness isn’t a buzzword, it’s a daily practice. I meditate, even if it’s just five minutes before a race. I journal to check in with myself, to keep perspective when things get chaotic. Breathwork has become a powerful anchor — especially before getting in the car. And honestly, staying connected to the why behind what I do — that fuels me. If I know my purpose, the pressure doesn’t shake me. It sharpens me.
What’s one moment in your career that tested your determination, and how did you push through it? Who motivates and/or inspires you to keep going?
One of the hardest — and most defining — moments of my career came early on, during a race where I was involved in a brutal crash. I hit a wall at over 150 kilometers an hour. The car flipped and landed on its roof, and I was trapped inside while it caught fire. I remember the panic, the disorientation, and the sound of the rescue team at the back window trying to pull me out. It was intense. I was left with a concussion, whiplash, nerve damage in my neck, and a bulging disk — but all I could think about was getting back out for the next race.
Most people assumed I’d take time off, but for me, the only way forward was through. While I was still in recovery, I was already at the garage with my team, focused on getting the car rebuilt. I needed to be back — I realized that my determination couldn’t be conditional — not based on outcomes, but on passion. Despite everything, I made it to the very next race. And not only did I show up — I made podium.
That moment reminded me that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back — it’s about rising while you’re still bruised. What keeps me going isn’t just the wins — it’s knowing I’m doing what I was born to do.
Your lifestyle must be intense, from travel to training to competition. What do you do to find balance and stay grounded in your personal life?
Balance isn’t always about equal time — it’s about being fully present wherever I am. When I’m racing, I give it everything. But when I’m with family, friends, or just taking time for myself, I unplug and reconnect with what matters outside the track. Nature grounds me. Music heals me. Quiet time recharges me. And I try to create space for joy — even in small moments. Because if I don’t nourish who I am outside the helmet, I lose the very thing that makes me powerful in it.
What advice would you give young women who are passionate about entering a male-dominated field, whether it’s racing or another career?
Own your voice. Don’t wait for permission. The spaces you want to enter need your presence more than you need their validation. You will be underestimated — let it sharpen you, not shrink you. Build your skill relentlessly. Find your people — mentors, allies, other women who lift each other up. And most of all, don’t just aim to fit in — aim to change the room. You belong, not because someone says so, but because you decide to.
At Optimyz, we talk a lot about living with purpose and thriving through wellness. What does ‘wellness’ mean to you personally, and how do you protect it in such a high-stakes environment?
To me, wellness is the foundation that makes everything else possible. It’s not just the absence of stress or illness — it’s alignment. When my mind, body, and purpose are in sync, I feel unstoppable. Protecting my wellness means creating boundaries, being intentional with my energy, and staying rooted in gratitude — even on the hardest days. In this sport, everything moves fast. But I’ve learned that stillness is just as powerful as speed. Taking care of myself isn’t a luxury — it’s a responsibility, to my craft, to my team, and to the future I’m building.
Thank you, Demi!
In a sport where every second counts, Demitria Chalkias reminds us that staying in control begins long before the engine starts. Her success isn’t just measured in podium finishes but in how she shows up; for herself, for other women in sport, and for a life of purpose and wellness lived at full throttle. Whether she’s navigating a tight curve or a moment of doubt, Demitria proves that resilience, self-care, and unapologetic determination make a woman truly unstoppable. For anyone chasing a dream in a world that tells them to slow down, Demitria has one message: “Stay in your lane—and make it faster.”
Cover Photo By: Frans Terova from Forbidden Apple Photography
