Bulldozer to Breakable: 2018, My Fitness Wake-Up Call

For years, my approach to sports and fitness was simple: brute force.

Throughout my teens and twenties, I relied on aggression and a decent level of fitness to bulldoze my way through any challenge.

Mountain biking? Charge down the hill.
Football? Tackle harder.
Gym? Lift heavier.
Half marathons? Rock up and get it done.

I felt invincible.

Scrapes, bruises, sprains, strains, broken bones, stitches, metal work were badges of honour - proof of my relentless approach.

Then, in 2018, it changed, something shifted.

I was 40, and during a leisurely mountain bike ride in preparation for a week in Morzine, I had a seemingly innocuous fall. At an incredibly slow speed - I hit something, over the handlebars I went and into the ground.

Instead of the usual stand up and a quick brush-off, I laid there and thought, "Shit, that hurt." I stood up, went dizzy, felt sick and laid back down.

I knew something was wrong – significant damage.

A broken collarbone, shoulder dislocation, broken wrist, a torn pec with heavy cuts on both knees.
(please see the pic above as a week later my boy was bang out of luck also)

It wasn't just a physical injury; it was a stark, undeniable wake-up call.

I realised something profound: ‘I no longer bulldozed - I broke.’

That moment was a turning point.

My body was telling me, in no uncertain terms, that my old approach was no longer sustainable.

The years of pushing my limits without considering the long-term consequences had caught up with me.
I couldn't rely on youthful resilience anymore. I needed a new direction.

This wasn't just about recovering from the injury;
it was about reimagining my relationship with fitness – what did I want to do next and what direction did I want to go?

I had to shift from a "no pain, no gain" mentality to a more well-rounded approach that prioritised longevity and sustainable health.

This is where my deep dive into NLP proved crucial. I leveraged those principles to reshape my mindset and approach, moving from a forceful approach to a collaborative one with my mind and body.

By identifying and shifting beliefs about ageing and responsibilities ( I got very fed up with people telling me ‘You're too old to be doing that now…) alongside identifying my real purpose - I forged my new, sustainable path to health.

The shift wasn't easy. It required me to let go of old habits and embrace a more balanced approach. But the rewards have been immense. I feel stronger, more resilient, and more connected to my body than ever before.

The experience taught me that fitness isn't just about pushing your physical limits; it's about understanding and respecting them. That we all need a solid mental game plan in place as we navigate this ever-changing thing called life and all that it brings.

It's about building a foundation of health that will support you for years to come.

This approach to my own situation, has led me to my client facing 'Think Differently' programme -
A new way to approach your health, your fitness and your real reason to change.

Proud to say my clients are smashing it on many levels from a strong foundation of mental and physical work. 

See what they have to say here

So I ask, Is this you - 

• You are finding your old routines are not working as well anymore?
• You just don't know where to start?
• You don't have the time?
• You've had a similar wake-up call with niggling injuries?

Then let shave a chat and discuss the way forward

Remember you are not alone - It is never too late to change direction.

I'd love to hear your story about what is holding you back.