Lessons From My Ironman Journey — What They Mean for Your Dream

A few weeks ago, I shared a blog titled Lessons from the Ironman: What Endurance Racing Taught Me About Starting and Growing a Business. If you missed it, you can read it here:

I ended that post with an invitation:

What is your dream — your Ironman?

The responses I received were honest, vulnerable, and deeply inspiring. In this follow-up blog, I want to share two important themes that came up repeatedly — and connect them to my own Ironman journey.

In future blogs, I’ll share lessons from the small businesses I’ve started, as well as tackle one of the most common questions today: “How will AI impact my startup?”

For now, here are two lessons that matter on every long journey — whether it’s an Ironman, a business, or a deeply personal dream.

1. When Is It Too Late to Follow My Dream?

This is one of the most common questions I hear — and one I’ve asked myself.

My journey toward an official Ironman didn’t begin in a straight line. It started decades ago in South Africa, long before I ever imagined racing in Penticton, BC.

Back in 1990, I competed in a 160 km kayaking, cycling, and running triathlon. In the athlete package was a poem by Helen Steiner Rice titled “Climb Till Your Dream Comes True.”  I’ve kept that page for more than thirty years. Something in those words told me that dreams don’t expire — they wait.

I loved kayaking. I even raced alongside my oldest son when he was around nine. But life changed when we moved to Malawi in 1999. With a 17-foot kayak too large to ship, the sport had to stay behind. I continued biking and running, but I replaced kayaking with swimming.

That’s when a new dream was born —I wanted to complete an official Ironman before my 40th birthday.

By 2004, I was training consistently and feeling strong… until a thyroid condition forced me to abruptly cut back. Life happened. Responsibilities happened. The dream was paused — not cancelled, just paused.

Years later, after moving to Edmonton in 2010, I joined a group of triathletes at Athletes in Action. Training with others reignited that dormant dream. Then in 2018, when Ironman Canada announced they were returning to Penticton, the excitement in the group was contagious. Before I knew it, I was at my computer, counting down the minutes until registration opened.

When I clicked “Submit Payment,” I leaned back in my chair and thought:

“What have you done?”

And yet… that was the moment the journey truly began.

Of course, life had one more curveball: COVID. So instead of racing in 2019, I finally stood at the start line on August 28, 2022 — nearly 58 years old — ready to attempt the dream I had hoped to finish at age 40.

Fifteen hours and ten minutes later, through mistakes, pain, emotion, and more learning than I expected, I crossed the finish line. I finally achieved the dream I first spoke out loud 18 years earlier.

Later, I read John Maxwell’s book “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn.” That title has shaped not just my Ironman experiences, but my leadership, coaching, and business journey as well.

So, is it ever too late to follow your dream?

No. It may take longer. It may look different. You may need to restart more than once. But dreams don’t expire — they evolve.

Ready to pursue your dream? Book a free discovery session here

2. The Importance of Community

Another theme I heard often was:

“I want to pursue my dream — but I feel alone.”

I understand that feeling deeply. But I’ve also learned that isolation is one of the biggest dream-killers.

Helen Keller said it beautifully: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Ken Blanchard echoed it: “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

My Ironman journey would never have happened without community — especially the Athletes in Action triathlon group. Their encouragement, training support, advice, and even gentle peer pressure (“Ironman Canada is coming back to Penticton — you have to do it!”) were powerful. Often, the right people pull you toward your dream before you’re fully ready to believe it yourself.

Entrepreneurship is no different. Starting or growing a business can feel lonely at times. That’s why I strongly encourage people not to build alone. Even if you’re only at the dreaming stage, surround yourself with like-minded people.

A community I deeply appreciate is the Faith Driven Entrepreneur network. Their message is simple and profound:

“You may be busy, tired, confused, overwhelmed… but you’re not alone.”

And their invitation is equally compelling:

“Come for the content. Stay for the community.”

That’s exactly what I want for the communities I help build — especially in my group coaching programs.

Entrepreneur & Team Coaching: Building Community With Purpose

One of my greatest passions is facilitating group and team coaching that helps leaders gain clarity, alignment, and momentum.

Entrepreneur Group Coaching: Elevate Yourself to Higher Purpose

Participants learn how to:

• Align values, purpose, vision, and mission with strategic objectives

• Build 1-year and quarterly goals connected to a longer multi-year plan

• Apply four essential strategic elements: VALUES, PURPOSE, VISION, MISSION

• Use four practical planning tools: S.O.A.R., P.L.A.N. A.H.E.A.D., C.L.E.A.R., and the VALUES Exercise

By the end, participants are equipped to turn purpose into action and direction into a plan.

Team Coaching: Creating Healthy, High-Performing Teams

I work closely with teams to strengthen trust, alignment, and performance through:

• The Foundations of Healthy Teams

• Strengthening the Health of Your Team

• Monthly team coaching sessions that create sustainable habits of communication, clarity, and accountability

Whether you’re chasing an Ironman or building a business, the right support and community can make all the difference.

Interested in exploring how coaching or community can support your dream? Book a free discovery session here: