This post is a mix of taking in some great experiences from the past year - bit late I know for a 2025 Review - and a look at the new year ahead. There’s a strong undercurrent of gratitude flowing through, much to learn from and new challenges to explore.
untimely endings…:
But we’ll start with a “but” (contrary to good writing practice). I’m conscious that not one but two of the athletes I’ve been coaching over several years both had significant injuries that prematurely put an end to their big plans for the past year. For one, we had set our sights on two prestigious ironman distance triathlons; the other, the European Triathlon Championships in Istanbul. In both cases, after much careful adapting the training and attentive care from expert physios and S&C specialists, surgery was required, followed by complete rest and recuperation.
Now, in my view one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a coach is to ensure those we coach get to the start line in the very best condition possible. Avoiding over-use injuries or being caught in a downward spiral of fatigue are often the biggest challenges, not least as many athletes instinctively feel they should be doing more, not less. So although we know in each case other factors were involved, I’m feeling chastened by their experiences - and even more mindful of my duty of care.
… and re-starts
I’m so pleased to say both are on their way to re-start anew - one gradually rehabilitating with swimming and soon to start walk-runs, with a steady build up to one of the most exciting European ironman triathlons; the other already back training and able to race at the end of this last season, in the process qualifying for this year’s World Duathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi.
What impressive resolve and clear, purposeful focus after dispiriting, frustrating setbacks.
old friends and a new chapter
Looking back at last year, a personal high point for me was the publication of my book Beyond Belief: the art of confidence centred coaching in early March by Practical Inspiration Publishing. There’s a beautiful Foreword by Cath Bishop of Long Win fame. And it’s available in all good bookshops and online platforms. (Sorry for the plug.)
We marked the launch with many former and current clients at an informal evening at our local wine shop, with the local bookshop Chapter 34 handling pre-orders. The ideas and practices have come about and taken shape through working with so many wonderful “resolute warriors”, as they are termed in the book, so it felt very special to see many of them again, catch up on what they’ve been doing and share the excitement of my own new beginning.
Since then I’ve been a guest on several podcasts and run a few workshops to promote the ideas and practices. These are all about encouraging coaches across all sports to ask themselves big “what if…” questions. What if coaching didn’t have to be the way we are typically taught to coach? What if we made self-belief the centre of all we do?
Interestingly there has been as much engagement from coaches outside of sport, involved in leadership and life coaching, as there has been from within sports. There’s much more to do to spread the word in 2026.
crafting new stories
And throughout the past year there’s been plenty of scope to put into practice the ideas and principles in the book, working with a wonderful mix of clients as they prepared for a range of daunting challenges. All but the two mentioned above not only made it to their start lines but went on to surprise themselves and others with amazing achievements. You can read two of the stories of big swims in very contrasting conditions - the warmth of a Caribbean Coral Reef swim and the cold of Lake Windermere - on the Stories page.
Other athletes’ memorable stories from the past year include an epic dawn to dusk 200 mile ride across the south of England in Chase the Sun, made with just 20 minutes to spare before sunset; and a beyond success at the European Triathlon Championships for another athlete who managed to navigate through injury prevention and peak at just the right time, picking up qualifying slots for next year’s European and World Championships along the way too.
Yeah!
And I also think back to the quieter, out of the limelight moments with the young disabled swimmers I work with once a week through the charity Level Water. One of these regularly had his mum in tears as he gleefully shouted “look at me mum!”, throwing himself into never-done-before aquabatics - though he also continues to have us both shaking our heads in disbelief at how, in his exhilaration, he loses all ability to stay afloat!
Level Water swimmers continue to be a high point for my week, with much to learn about belief in others and myself that feeds in to all the adult coaching, mentoring, coach development workshops and more.
more beginnings
I have also recently started work with another two inspiring clients, both preparing for full on ultras in early Spring - more great stories to come I’m sure. There’s still room for two more coaching partnerships. And I’m delighted to say I’ll have access to a new pool for one to one swim sessions this year.
One final ‘beginning anew’ to mention: for the past six years I’ve been a co-host for a local Mental Heath Swim, meeting once a month through the year for a quick dip in the bracingly cold sea and warm company.
At the end of last year sadly the national organisation Mental Health Swims had to close down. Our group of co-hosts, like many others around the country, decided to keep going under our new name: Shoreham Wellbeing Dips. Come and join us if you’re in the area on the last Sunday of each month.
So lots to celebrate as well as to learn from, particularly when things don’t go to plan. The missteps and stumbles - not all mentioned here, for sure - remind me to keep raising my game. And what a privilege to be able to support resolute warriors of all ages, abilities and ambitions in this year ahead. I’m truly grateful.
Watch out for the Stories page for yet more extraordinary, beyond belief accomplishments - and get in touch if you or someone you know would like to start your own new beginning.