The past can be defined as experiences that have occurred during a time previous to the present. It is these experiences that we learn and grow from, and as they say, “with age comes wisdom”. 2014 is in the past, and I’ve learned more in this period than ever before in my life. A lot of things changed for me this year. It was my first year studying a degree, being a pro rider and racing overseas. And I learnt a lot as a person overall.
No one is perfect. I’ve had a few breakdowns myself; moments where I wondered “is it all worth it?” Especially when those close to me started to doubt my decisions and thought I was making excuses, without knowing what’s really going on behind closed doors. But it made me realise that sometimes people are only in your life for seasons, and when it comes down to it, you only have your vision and goals to guide you because you’re the only one who knows how bad you really want something.
I still had great support from the Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy (DMA); thank you to my mentors Andre and Simon, my mechanic and friend, Tebogo, my “mom away from home” Sibo- for looking after me this year, and my publicist Tennille- for helping me with the day-to-day elements of managing my schedule and making it a bit easier for me to focus on my other responsibilities.
Honestly, the year didn’t go as well as I planned. As I said, there were a lot of changes and new things I had to grasp and adapt to. But on the positive side, I had some really great experiences like travelling to Germany and Norway and being on the starting line with over 100 International riders. Being part of the Beyond Sport Summit was incredible. I learnt a lot about development, how to build myself as a person, and how to contribute and give back to communities like mine. Studying a full-time degree in Sports Science has expanded my knowledge of sport and I’ve been able to apply a lot of what I learnt. Being signed to the Kargo Pro MTB Team was a dream come true and a step towards my ultimate goal of being an Olympian.
2015 is now; I’m looking forward to this year. I’ll be taking a break from the Absa Cape Epic to focus on XCO and improve my UCI ranking with the hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. I will continue in my role as a Beyond Sport Ambassador for Johannesburg and I hope to inspire more people with my story, even those outside the sport of cycling.
Thanks to my sponsors for your support and helping me keep my dream alive- Kargo, Momsen, Enjoy Fitness, Nike Vision, 32Gi, Squirt, Avolands, The North Face, NFRUG (Northern Farm Recreational User Group), Absa, and the DMA.
Thanks to Shaun Peschl for taking a chance on me and allowing me to have the advantage of a pro-structure and the opportunity to help build the team.
Thanks to all my friends and family for believing in me.
I wish everyone a great year ahead; may 2015 be the best yet.
“Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.”
“Never let success get to your head. Never let failure get to your heart.”
No one is perfect. I’ve had a few breakdowns myself; moments where I wondered “is it all worth it?” Especially when those close to me started to doubt my decisions and thought I was making excuses, without knowing what’s really going on behind closed doors. But it made me realise that sometimes people are only in your life for seasons, and when it comes down to it, you only have your vision and goals to guide you because you’re the only one who knows how bad you really want something.
I still had great support from the Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy (DMA); thank you to my mentors Andre and Simon, my mechanic and friend, Tebogo, my “mom away from home” Sibo- for looking after me this year, and my publicist Tennille- for helping me with the day-to-day elements of managing my schedule and making it a bit easier for me to focus on my other responsibilities.
Honestly, the year didn’t go as well as I planned. As I said, there were a lot of changes and new things I had to grasp and adapt to. But on the positive side, I had some really great experiences like travelling to Germany and Norway and being on the starting line with over 100 International riders. Being part of the Beyond Sport Summit was incredible. I learnt a lot about development, how to build myself as a person, and how to contribute and give back to communities like mine. Studying a full-time degree in Sports Science has expanded my knowledge of sport and I’ve been able to apply a lot of what I learnt. Being signed to the Kargo Pro MTB Team was a dream come true and a step towards my ultimate goal of being an Olympian.
2015 is now; I’m looking forward to this year. I’ll be taking a break from the Absa Cape Epic to focus on XCO and improve my UCI ranking with the hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. I will continue in my role as a Beyond Sport Ambassador for Johannesburg and I hope to inspire more people with my story, even those outside the sport of cycling.
Thanks to my sponsors for your support and helping me keep my dream alive- Kargo, Momsen, Enjoy Fitness, Nike Vision, 32Gi, Squirt, Avolands, The North Face, NFRUG (Northern Farm Recreational User Group), Absa, and the DMA.
Thanks to Shaun Peschl for taking a chance on me and allowing me to have the advantage of a pro-structure and the opportunity to help build the team.
Thanks to all my friends and family for believing in me.
I wish everyone a great year ahead; may 2015 be the best yet.
“Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.”
“Never let success get to your head. Never let failure get to your heart.”