How Ironman Sculpted My Mental Resilience
Before We Begin…
Let me get this out of the way:
Yes, I know what you’re thinking—white, male, mid-30s, taking up triathlon… how original.
I’m fully aware of the ridiculous amount of lycra involved, and yes, it’s borderline obscene.
And for the record, I also know that many triathletes have a tendency to bring up their sport within the first two minutes of meeting someone—this is not one of those moments, I promise.
How It Began
In April 2022, my dad passed away after a six-year battle with cancer. His final days were spent at Lindsey Lodge Hospice, where the staff were incredibly kind and compassionate—not only to my dad but also to our entire family. Their support made an unbearable experience somewhat manageable.
In the months that followed, I searched for a gruelling challenge—something that would allow me to raise a meaningful amount of money as a way of saying thank you to the hospice for everything they did for us.
Then, in late August 2022, my best friend, Jonny Teeling, sent me a WhatsApp message: “Fancy an Ironman?”
Jonny had just come off the back of a stressful nine months selling his business, had a young child, and—as he described it—was now sporting a classic “Dad Bod.”
Without hesitation, I said yes and got stuck in.
At the time, I was a keen runner, but my swimming ability was limited to a few holiday laps, and I didn’t even own a bike.
I think it’s fair to say, I went all in.
I hired a coach and a nutritionist and immersed myself completely in all things Ironman. Blogs, books, videos, podcasts—you name it, I consumed it. For the better part of a year, my focus was absolute.
The drive and determination I felt during this time was unparalleled. In part, it stemmed from the fear of the seemingly impossible distances involved in the Ironman. But it was also powered by a strong sense of purpose: raising funds for the hospice that had supported my family during our darkest days.
What It Gave Me
1. Time to Solve Problems
Ironman training (or any endurance sport, for that matter) requires a lot of time on your own. Whether I was staring at the bottom of a pool or cycling 150km on a wet March morning, there were long stretches where I was left alone with my thoughts.
120km down, 60km to go.
Before setting out on a solo bike ride or run, I’d often jot down a list of problems I wanted to work through—whether related to work or my personal life. Once I found my rhythm, I’d let those problems roll around in my head.
The physical act of cycling or running seemed to unlock a level of creativity that I simply couldn’t access sitting at a desk. Solutions would come to me naturally as I distracted my conscious mind with the task at hand.
2. Resilience
When your daily life revolves around hours of gruelling training, the challenges you face at work or home start to feel far less daunting.
I’d often feel a sense of calm sitting down to start my workday, knowing I’d already conquered a massive training session that morning.
The training built an almost unshakable resilience—a sort of mental armour that made me better equipped to handle whatever life threw my way.
3. Discipline
I’ve always been quite a disciplined person, but Ironman training took this to a whole new level.
From September 2022 to August 2023, my typical week looked like this:
• 5:00 am – Wake up
• 5:30–7:30 am – Training
• 8:00 am–4:00 pm – Work
• 5:00–7:00 pm – Training or yoga
• 9:00 pm – Bed
Weekends were even more intense, with Saturdays dedicated to painfully long bike rides followed by a run. Sundays were my rest day.
I also gave up drinking almost entirely (except for a well-earned week of indulgence at Glastonbury). I’d often be tempted by sunny days in Manchester, perfect for a drink, but I found pride in my discipline—refusing to let anything get in the way of my training.
This experience taught me that while motivation gets you started, it’s dedication that keeps you going. Showing up day after day, for months on end, was a lesson I’ve carried into other areas of my life.
4. Healing
This challenge came at a time when I needed it most. After losing my dad, I craved something to focus on, and learning the ins and outs of triathlon, paired with fundraising, gave me that purpose.
The daily endorphins were invaluable for my mental health. While some might say I was distracting myself from my grief (and perhaps I was), those long training sessions provided space for reflection and, ultimately, healing.
Race Day
On Sunday, 20th August 2023, alongside Jonny Teeling and Matt Klemperer, I stood at the start line in Copenhagen. A year of relentless effort was about to be put to the test.
Race Distances:
• 2.4-mile (3.9km) swim
• 112-mile (180.2km) bike
• 26.2-mile (42.2km) run
The race went as well as I could have hoped. I completed Ironman Copenhagen in 10 hours, 50 minutes, and 22 seconds—beating my goal by over an hour.
Crossing the finish line was overwhelming. For a year, this challenge had consumed so much of my energy and focus, and now it was done.
Done & Dusted.
In the process, I raised over £5,000 for Lindsey Lodge Hospice—far exceeding my original goal of £2,000.
Conclusion
Looking back, I know this experience changed me. It made me more confident, focused, and disciplined. That year of discomfort and relentless effort taught me to use exercise as a tool—not just to build resilience, but to heal.
I’m not suggesting everyone should take on an Ironman, but I do believe it’s important to find your version of it. Something that gives you purpose, builds your resilience, and creates space for reflection.
For me, it was life-changing. I came out the other side as a better version of myself.