Limitless MTB Coaching

It all begins with showing up, with being present. This past weekend, there was no other choice for me but to show up. How could I not, when my friend had endured unimaginable hardships in recent months?
I wasn't fully prepared – life happens and I have just had a bit too much on my plate.
Yet, despite my lack of readiness, I made it to the starting line and eventually, the finish line. The latter was an arduous 42km of near-hell on my bike, but it paled in comparison to what my friend had gone through. This challenging and humbling experience made me realize, even more deeply, the importance of surrounding yourself with good people - those who have your back. They may laugh at you when you're reduced to tears, not because they're mocking you, but because they genuinely don't know how else to help. When your body gives up at the 20km mark, and you still have another 23km to go, reaching the end feels like an impossible task. Yesterday, this happened to me. I suffered the worst cramp of my life, turning my legs into unyielding rocks from quads to glutes. I couldn't bend, couldn't move. To lower myself to the ground, I had to assume a downward dog position, ensuring a gentler fall when I inevitably toppled over. I cried like a baby, and my friend, unsure of what to do, ended up laughing. I was given the option to turn back and seek help at the last water point, but I refused.

There was another choice a little further on: take the easier route or tackle the mountain we came to ride. Again, I CHOSE to do what I set out to do. My body may have been failing me, but my mind remained resolute.

I didn't care if I had to walk with legs that wouldn't bend. I had set out to accomplish something, and I was determined to finish. What I endured in those four hours was nothing compared to what my riding partner had faced in the past few months - battling cancer, coping with family losses, and caring for parents suffering from Alzheimer's. It would have been easy to give up, but how could I, when my pain was temporary and not life-altering?
So I limped across the finish line, silently declaring, "You have been through hell and back, but I support you."

This experience reinforced the idea that the mind is one of our most powerful assets. We must care for it, nurture it, and never take it for granted. Give your mind the attention and stimulation it needs to stay strong and to serve you well during those moments when you feel you can't go on.

When everything else fails, including your body, remember that with a strong mind, you can overcome almost anything.

This weekend solidified my belief that your mind is one of the most formidable tools you possess.

And learn to be KIND, you have no idea what the person next to you is going through.

And here's the finger to cancer, Alzheimer's, and all the hardships we encounter.

I said it before and I say it again. - it wasn’t always about the bike. Yes I do love my bike and what it has done for confidence, mindset etc but I did and I still do love my running shoes too.

Watching the Total Sports Two Oceans Marathon and I am having a throw back moment to one of the proud moments in my life - our Seniors Ladies taking the overall club win nationally - totally unexpected. This particular year, I ran a 4 hour 34 min ultra and this was my first ever ultra.

This was coming back from a bout of drop foot where I was in a moon boot for 8 weeks the year before. My training was less than ideal as I had adapt to accomodate my limitations. But it proved that with work and determination anything is possible. Never under estimate the power of your mind.

10 years on, my focus has changed slightly but I still have a little itch that pops up every now and again and says why not try go back and give it another go. Today is one of those days where that itch is making sure it is felt.

Older, heavier, not as fit, a string of overuse injuries and my running shoes have actually been hanging up for the past 3+ years. It almost seems impossible and quite frankly stupid.

I do however believe with this down time I have learned a lot - I am more mindful about achieving balance, listening to my body and my running shoes are definitely coming out of hibernation.

20 minute runs (if I am lucky) will probably be my longest runs for the next few months and I know it’s going to be uncomfortable and hard but maybe with what I have learned, my body will respond favourably and my mind will decide that I actually do have a 3rd 56km in me … let’s see…..

Ps: I am the person on the far right in the below pic 😉

The two things I believe an ultramarathon and mountain biking have in common - the need for strength work and more importantly, a strong mindset!!!

Another incredible morning with Gauteng North Schools Cycling - Primary Schools Skills Day. We are three sessions in and it is incredible to see how the children are improving. The difference is notable!!!!

A bang for your buck workout right here - a bit of cardio, a bit of strength, a bit of function!!! Followed by an amazing coffee.

What more could you ask for!!!!



👌👌👌

.coffee

It’s always a good day when it starts out like this 🌅

Such a great morning spent with these awesome coaches and Gauteng North Primary Schools Cycling

These steps ...

I don’t know what it is - but there is something about these steps. I will work with clients (young and old) for weeks and sometimes months building their confidence and trying to get them to go down the steps because I know they are capable and have ridden way more technical terrain - but I get constant resistance and then all of a sudden they trust me enough to give it a go - and I must say it is at these exact moments where I get such JOY and they have so much fun - this is like their 💡moment when they truly start to believe that they are capable!!!!

Once they have done it once - my next problem is trying to get them to stop 🤣 as they just want to keep going back for more.

Small things can make a huge difference and will create a major shift in one’s mindset, confidence, and belief in themselves and I think for us cautious adults, it sometimes releases our inner child - amongst other things, we ultimately do this sport to have some fun🤩.

I don’t know what it is - but there is something about these steps. I will work with clients (young and old) for weeks and sometimes months building their confidence and trying to get them to go down the steps because I know they are capable and have ridden way more technical terrain - but I get constant resistance and then all of a sudden they trust me enough to give it a go - and I must say it is at these exact moments where I get such JOY and they have so much fun - this is like their 💡moment when they truly start to believe that they are capable!!!! Once they have done it once - my next problem is trying to get them to stop 🤣 as they just want to keep going back for more. Small things can make a huge difference and will create a major shift in one’s mindset, confidence, and belief in themselves and I think for us cautious adults, it sometimes releases our inner child - amongst other things, we ultimately do this sport to have some fun🤩. #limitlessmtbcoaching #mtbcoaching #mtb #girlswhoride #skillscoaching #mtbskills #cycle #outsideisfree #mountainbikegirls #kidsmtbrides #mtbsouthafrica #mtblife #mtbfitness #ladiesmtb #girlswhoride #girlswhoridebikes #mtbfamily #mtbstagerace #pretoriamtb #pretoriaeastmtb #skillup #gautengmtb