You’re going to have to forgive me — I’m going to speak about running again.

Well, not necessarily about running, but about the number one lesson I learned during my last race. And I promise, this will be the last time I speak about running until November 23rd when I’ll be taking part in my first 100KM — but more on that when the time comes

For now, let me take you back to the end of what was a grueling, 8-hour test of my resilience, athletic capability, and willpower.

I had just crossed the finish line of the Matterhorn Ultraks, landing in the top 22% of a thousand-strong field — exhausted and sore, but beyond stoked, motivated, and proud to have made it in one piece (mostly).

After I finished, I found a spot by the finish line and just sat there, absorbing it all. For two hours, I watched others finish, each runner crossing with their own story, each runner fighting their own battle, and each one claiming their own victory.

Some collapsed, some cried, and some raised their arms in triumph.

I saw first-time ultra runners, their eyes wide with disbelief as they grasped the magnitude of their achievement.

I watched a father cross the finish line with his two young daughters by his side, showing them the power of perseverance, the importance of dreaming big, and the joy of achieving what once seemed impossible.

I saw runners who crossed with newfound strength and self-belief, pushing through to mend broken hearts, overcome loss, and reclaim their resilience.

Then there was my dear friend Floris, who had set out for the race with a sunflower in hand, which he left somewhere high in the Swiss alps as a tribute to his late mother — who was no doubt was cheering him on from above every step of the way.

And there were countless others, crossing the finish line, looking up, tears of pride and triumph streaming down their faces.

In that moment — it hit me, and this is the lesson that I want to share with you today.

From the outside, it might seem like ultra running is about beating the other runners, but the truth is so much deeper. Despite there being a medal for first, second, and third, every single person crossing the finish line was winning their own race.

The real competition isn’t against others — it’s against the voice inside your head that says you can’t, that it’s too hard, that you’re not ready, that it’s easier for others, different for you… (you name it!).

But every runner who crossed that finish line proved to be bigger than their story.

They didn’t just conquer the mountain, they conquered themselves.

But before I go any further — I’m not trying to take away the meaning of performance, excellence, and yes — winning. Quite the opposite.

Striving to be the best, to push your limits, to stand on that podium — these are all worthy goals that drive us to become the best versions of ourselves that we could possibly be.

However, it’s equally important to consider that true victory isn’t always about beating others — and sometimes, it’s the inner victories that matter most. Where you beat your own limits, overtake your previous self, or overcome setbacks, obstacles, or challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

In ultra running, as in life, we’re often our own toughest competition.

And I’m happy to say that I won two races that day.

To give you some context on the first, in ultra running, we’re often divided into groups based on our expected finish times. Group A is for the seasoned pros, the ones who strive and compete for the podium. Group C, where I started, is for experienced runners at a different stage in their journey.

My first victory was becoming the 3rd fastest runner in my block — not to those in group A, or B — but to those at the same stage of their journey as I am.

If I’d compared myself to the elites in group A, I might have felt like a failure. However, by measuring my performance against my own standards and those in my group, I turned what could have been a demoralising comparison into a significant achievement.

And this extends far beyond running.

In our careers, relationships, and personal growth, we often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to those at the very top of their game. But true growth, true victory, comes from recognising our own progress, starting from where we are, and celebrating the milestones as we go.

But my second, and perhaps more meaningful victory, was a celebration of my strength and vitality — a testament to how far I’ve come, not just in this race, but in life. As I crossed that finish line, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here

There was a time when the mere thought of running an ultra seemed impossible. Ever since my health crisis in 2017, I’ve been fighting to reclaim the strength and power I once had. It’s been a journey with many defeats, and I’ve lost hope, but I never tapped out. I never threw in the towel. And I never lost sight of my ultimate goal — to come back stronger than ever.

This race wasn’t just about the physical challenge, it was a testament to the (silent) battles I’ve fought and won, and the wisdom and strength I’ve gained. Every step on that mountain was a step further away from who I used to be and closer to who I am capable of being.

It was about proving to myself that I am bigger than the story of what happened to me.

Crossing that finish line was my ROAR — a declaration of the person I’ve become and the life I’ve chosen to create. A life where I don’t just survive but thrive.

Reflecting on this race and the journey that led me here, I recognise two key themes:

Acceptance and resilience.

They are the foundation of my victories and the pillars of the life I strive to build every day.

They’re two sides of the same coin, each reinforcing the other in a powerful cycle of growth and achievement. Resilience gives us the strength to face our current reality, no matter how tough, while self-acceptance provides the starting point from which we can build that resilience.

Acceptance is about taking stock of a situation and seeing it clearly for what it is — whether you like it or not. It’s about gaining a clear understanding of your reality and becoming at least comfortable enough with it to take wise and productive action toward where you want to go.

Because the truth is, you can’t work on something in a meaningful way if you’re fighting it at the same time. And even before that, you can’t work on something in a meaningful way if you refuse to accept where you are or what’s happening in the first place.

For me, acceptance meant acknowledging that I was starting in Group C, not pretending I was ready for Group A. It meant being honest about my strengths and my limitations. And that level of honesty allowed me to operate at the psychological edge of my zone of difficulty — the sweet spot where challenge meets capability.

It’s right on this edge — right where success and failure hang in the balance — that we feel most motivated and are able to unleash our true potential.

And it’s this lesson, more than any medal or finishing time, that I believe holds the key to success in all areas of life. It’s not about becoming first or always being the best; it’s about finding and accepting your edge and learning to push your boundaries from that place.

As I reflect on this race and the lessons it taught me, I realise that the true value lies not just in the physical achievement, but in the mindset it cultivates. The resilience required to complete an ultra isn’t just about physical endurance — it’s a mental game that has its roots in just about every other aspect of our lives.

Whether you’re building a business, nurturing relationships, or running through the obstacles you face in the path of becoming the best version of yourself, the principles remain the same. It’s about recognising where you are, accepting it fully, and then pushing beyond your perceived limits.

But, there’s a delicate balance here.

Accept where you are without pushing your limits, and you risk stagnation. Refusing to accept where you are and what you are capable of, and you set yourself up for frustration and burnout.

The key is finding that sweet spot — where discomfort meets determination. It’s in this space that true growth happens. But it’s not always easy to find, let alone stay in.

Too much acceptance can lead to complacency. On the flip side, too little acceptance can leave you feeling like a perpetual loser, always chasing an impossible standard and never acknowledging your progress.

I’ve seen this time and time again in my coaching practice. So many of us struggle with this balance. We either become too comfortable where we are, or we’re constantly berating ourselves for not being where we think we should be.

The real victory, lies in recognising, accepting, and STARTING where you are.

Not where you want to be. Not where you think Not where others think you should be. But where you are. It’s about acknowledging your current circumstances and limitations while refusing to be defined by them.

So, I challenge you to look at your own race — whatever that may be and ask yourself:

What do I need to accept about my circumstances and abilities?

And from that place of acceptance, what would it look like to start at, and push beyond my edge?

Remember, every finish line is just the start of a new chapter. Every achievement is a stepping stone to your next level of growth. Your potential is unlimited. Your journey, like mine, is only starting.

Embrace it. Own it. Lead it. Thrive it.