Completing the 70.3 Ironman in Portugal was an incredible personal achievement – challenging, exhausting, and ultimately rewarding…
…but what made it even more special was being able to share the experience with my kids.
There’s something deeply satisfying about showing them first hand what resilience, hard work, and determination look like in action and more importantly, sharing the journey, not just the result.
For me, being a parent is the ultimate responsibility.
It’s not just about providing for your children; it’s about instilling the right values, modelling the behaviours you want them to adopt, and showing them that effort and perseverance pay off. This Ironman was the perfect opportunity to do just that.
1. Showing resilience in real time
Training for and completing a 70.3 Ironman requires an enormous amount of mental and physical resilience. There were countless early mornings, long training sessions, and days when I felt completely exhausted. But each time I pushed through, I knew Lewis and Sienna were watching, even if silently. I wanted them to see that challenges aren’t something to avoid… they’re something to embrace.
They watched me juggle work, family, and training. They saw me commit to something difficult and follow through. That’s a lesson no words can truly capture: resilience isn’t something you teach – it’s something you live.
And by living it, I hope my kids learn that life will throw challenges their way, but if you remain determined and keep moving forward, you can overcome anything.
2. Demonstrating the value of hard work
The Ironman pushed me further than anything I’d done before… 5, 6, 7 hours of continuous effort. My children witnessed me dedicating time, energy, and focus to achieving a goal. They saw me training consistently, preparing properly, and putting in the effort day after day.
It’s one thing to tell them that hard work pays off; it’s another to show them.
They saw the grind, the commitment, and the results it produced. Crossing the finish line wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a living example that dedication, preparation, and perseverance produce tangible results.
3. Balancing ambition with presence
While it was important for me to train and perform, it was equally important to stay present with my family.
I didn’t want my goals to overshadow our time together. Throughout my training, I made sure to schedule sessions around family life, involve them where possible, and celebrate progress as a family.
On race day, having them there at the finish line was priceless. Their excitement, cheers, and pride in seeing me cross the line reminded me that achievement is sweeter when shared.
Ambition is vital, but it must coexist with presence. My children learning that balance, between striving for personal goals and valuing time with loved ones, is one of the most meaningful lessons I could pass on.
4. Prioritising mental and physical health
Training for the Ironman wasn’t just about finishing a race, it was about pushing my body and mind to their limits in a structured, healthy way.
Sleep, nutrition, recovery, and mental focus all mattered. My kids got a front row view of what it means to take care of yourself, to value your health, and to invest in both body and mind.
I hope they understand that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s essential for performing at your best, whether in sport, business, or life.
Being healthy allows you to show up fully for those around you and tackle challenges with energy and clarity.
5. Lessons in determination and joy
Perhaps the most important lesson of all was seeing the joy that comes from determination. Finishing the Ironman was incredible, yes, but so was the journey. Every training session, every small improvement, every step along the way. My children saw that perseverance doesn’t mean suffering in silence, it means embracing the journey, celebrating small wins, and finding joy even in tough moments.
Sharing this with Sienna and Lewis made it profoundly rewarding. I wasn’t just showing them what I could achieve. I was showing them how to approach life with curiosity, resilience, and joy.
Completing a 70.3 Ironman in Portugal was a real bucket list moment for me, but sharing it with my kids made it priceless. They saw the mental strength, discipline, and effort required to achieve something significant. They saw that challenges are part of growth, that hard work matters, and that being present with family while pursuing your goals is possible and deeply fulfilling.
In the end, the finish line wasn’t just a personal achievement… it was a lesson for them, a memory we’ll all share, and a reminder that the values we live are far more impactful than the words we speak.
Here’s to setting goals, pushing limits, and showing the next generation the power of resilience, determination, and presence – one adventure at a time.
