Every day, we’re presented with countless opportunities to shape our lives, and it all begins with a simple, yet profound, concept: choice. Your choices—big and small—hold the power to design the life you desire.

In a world that often feels fast-paced and demanding, kindness is one of the simplest, yet most powerful, gifts we can offer—not just to others but to ourselves. We’re often quick to lend a helping hand, share an encouraging word, or show empathy toward someone in need. But what about the way we speak to ourselves?

Life often feels like a race—moving from one goal to the next, always looking ahead, chasing the next big achievement or milestone. But in all that movement, I sometimes forget the most valuable thing I have: this very moment.

Have you ever noticed how we as human beings are hardwired to look for the negatives in life?

We all experience moments where we question if we’re doing enough, if we have enough, or if we are enough. We measure ourselves against society's yardsticks, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal goals. It’s natural to strive for more, but it’s equally important to recognise that we are enough, just as we are, in this very moment.

How many times have we been told that when one door closes, another will open? I’ve heard it more times than I can count. But I don’t fully agree with that sentiment. Yes, there will be other doors, but they don’t just magically open on their own. You have to take action—you have to seek them out, open them, and have the courage to step through.

Despite everything I have gone through in life I have refused to let these challenges dictate my life. It would have been easy to give in to fear or despair, but instead, I chose to focus on what I could control—my attitude, my actions, and my resilience. Life doesn’t care how hard it hits you, but it gives you the choice to stand back up and keep going.

My last international race is officially behind me! It's been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful to have closed the door on what has been 13 unforgettable years of my life. Never did I expect to stay in the game this long competing against athletes half my age and enjoying every minute of it! The friendships I’ve made are lifelong, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance at my final race to tell some of these amazing people just how much they’ve meant to me. It wasn’t a “goodbye,” but more of a “goodbye for now.”

Having a strong sense of purpose gives your life direction and clarity. It acts as a compass, guiding your decisions, actions, and responses to challenges. But purpose alone isn't enough—consistent, intentional action is what brings that purpose to life. To create the best year ever, it’s essential to look back, reflect on both your successes and failures, and build a system that keeps you moving forward every day.

Next week, I’ll be heading to Zurich, Switzerland, for what will be my final Para Cycling Road World Championships. This will mark my 11th World Championships since I began competitive cycling in 2011, and with 9 World Championship titles under my belt, it’s been quite the ride (pun intended!).

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, but it’s more than just getting back on track—it's about evolving with every experience, especially the tough ones. Every setback offers us a moment to learn, grow, and recalibrate. But it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing challenges as roadblocks instead of what they really are: stepping stones toward something greater.

Understanding the magic in being who you truly are is a gift given to me by my brother Brian.  I didn’t know I had a brother until I was about 11 years old.  He was my dad’s sone from previous marriage.  We, my sister and I were told that Brian was different than most of us, you see he was born with Down Syndrome, but when we got to know him he was just Brian.  He was 5 years older than me and everything about Brian was BIG!