So Turkey November 2022
An incredible event with incredible people
Sam and I completed our fourth Ironman 70.3 each !
Brett top row
Sam bottom row
Categories
4 x the charm
Tag: family
Categories
No!
We often forget that we can actually say NO.
I often hear people moaning about this and that and how they HAVE to go somewhere or do something that they are not particularly excited about .
Every decision that we make has a resultant consequence . It is up to each of us to decide which actions are to our benifit and which are to our detriment .
Only you can decide and only you will need to account for the decision you make!
We use the information we have at our disposal to best mitigate the outcome and can’t rely on hindsight at the time .
Be true to yourself always and have the conviction of your thoughts to do what’s best for you !
One thing is for sure , too many people do things to please others without regard for their own wellbeing and sanity!
Categories
Celebrating 80 years
This July 2016 we celebrated both my mother and fathers 80th Birthdays !
It was a family reunion where we gathered as a group from all the corners of the world!
Freezing cold weather outside , warmth and reminiscing inside , all in the magnificent Drakensberg with family and friends for the weekend .
Toasts and speeches of gratitude praise and respect where our small way of saying THANK YOU for everything that you have done for us .
Gratitude for the ability to be able to get together , being alive and living in an amazing country .
From Mom and I to Luke and Georgia
To the most incredibly rounded kids I know!
You make me proud every day and I am amazed at your attitudes to life , understanding of how things work and tenacity.
This world is not easy and it’s only by making your place in it and working smart and hard that you will succeed and be truly happy! Traits you both posses .
Nothing is nicer than getting compliments about your kids and you guys certainly shine in accomplishing that wherever you go!
You have already done more than most do in a lifetime and remember that only you can make you happy so enjoy every moment and just be the best “you”!
Letting you go was the toughest thing your mom and I have ever had to do but seeing you flourish has made that sacrifice worth every bit of the heartache.
Know we are always here for you and love you soo very much!
Lots of Love
Mom and Dad
Categories
Family
We take so much for granted in life and it is only when things are taken from us that we start to really appreciate just how privileged we where to have had them!
Life
Health
Security
Food
Roof over our heads
Beds to sleep
Wake up and count your blessings as none of this is promised, none of this is forever
Every single decision that you make has a consequence! Good or bad these consequences are a result of your actions !
I choose not to think about bad decisions that I have made ,just decisions that had all the circumstances been the same , I would not have made again!
Samantha,Luke and Georgia you are the very best thing that has ever happened to me and I am truly humbled to be a part of your lives!
So this is how it ended!
I had the privilege to spend just over a year on “sabaticle” with the family in the berg!
The most wonderful time of my life and an opportunity not many get .
So why?
At 43 I have done a lot of different things and have had positions of responsibility and management in various roles that have exposed me to the best and worst of business and people!
I was not loving where I was and needed to understand what I was going to do.
So first of all I was FAT and no matter what justification for that I made I had to do something about it. I was also upset that in the scheme of the world I was a “taker”(making a living off others efforts)
and not a “maker”(adding to the world through real effort). While this is hugely financially rewarding it leaves you with a incredible feeling of worthlessness!
When you wake up to that realization it is an eye opener of note!
A truly defining moment ……..
So after 25 years of every meal being a buffet it was time to diet …..Dukan diet ……. High protein low carbs. I weighed 125kg at 1,79 m tall. Severely Obese on all BMI scales
14 months later 25kg down on the back of lots of exercise mostly in the form of cycling and the diet with the support and watchful eye of the family who always made me aware when I was straying from the plan !
I also stopped drinking all alcohol ! Now it’s not that I don’t like alcohol, but in this time off I spent time with people who did not drink and I was amazed that the following where actually true-
-You just feel better…
-You can have fun without drinking…
-You miss out on soooooo many subtle messages and things when your drunk…
-You get another 3 hours a day which are not “hazed”…
-Mornings are truly beautiful…
-Weight loss is inhibited by alcohol…
-And most importantly you are in control of your actions …I shudder at the fact that I used to drive my family after a night out …
I wish I had learned this 25 years ago!!
While the ability to do this came as a result of having time ( a good ride takes 4 hours) and that the daily work related stress that I was living under had totally disappeared . I made this time work and when people say you did nothing for a year that statement is soooo not true.
-I spent time with my family at a period where “us” time was possible .
-I got fit.
-I lost 25kg .
-I know what I want to do with my life
A very productive year by my reckoning!
So back to the end I did what I never thought possible .
I rode the Old Mutual Joberg2c a 930km 9 day mountain bike stage race.The worlds longest mountain bike stage race.
AND I DID IT!
I now look forward with a clarity of mind to the next stage of my life knowing it is true that you can do ANYTHING and that you are never given a dream without also been given the ability to make it come true.
To my family and friends , thank you for EVERYTHING and know that I love you all.
Would love to hear if you have other points for the list:
health and personal safety
material comforts
relationships with family
relationship with spouse or partner
having and raising children
having close friends
helping and encouraging others
work
learning
understanding oneself
expressing oneself in a creative manner
socializing with others
reading, listening to music, watching sports events, and other entertainment
participating in active recreation
participating in activities relating to dealing with bigger issues like local and national government
Each of these headings has many aspects to evaluate, decide what’s important in each one and how to priorities them in your life!
Categories
Imvelo
It’s possible to do good for the environment and have some fun too!
My brother David and I rode the berg and bush three day descent in the Drakensburg !
Good to know you can ride 250km in three days if you have to.
Awesome to see what a beautiful country we have !
