Riding the Waves: From Triathlons to Business Setbacks

Towards the end of last year, I set myself a personal goal—to compete in the Noosa Triathlon. For those who don’t know, it’s one of the pinnacle events on the Australian sporting calendar. I entered solo, fully committed to completing it on my own terms. The race itself is no joke: a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride, and a 10km run. I trained hard in the lead-up, pushing myself mentally and physically, and when race day arrived, I gave it everything.

Crossing that finish line was one of the biggest highs I’ve had in a long time. I clocked a personal best and felt on top of the world. There’s something incredibly rewarding about setting a challenge and pushing through every barrier to see it through. I was flying—riding that post-triathlon high.

Then, just a month later, I hit a wall.

I underwent a full shoulder reconstruction, and with my right arm in a sling for the next three months—and into the start of this year—I suddenly couldn’t do the most basic tasks. Lifting my kids, going for a swim, even dressing myself was a mission. And can I tell you how awkward it is trying to brush your teeth with the opposite hand? It was humbling and frustrating all at once.

Now, I know it’s nothing compared to the serious health battles that many people face, but it hit me harder than I expected. That contrast—from being at your peak to feeling completely restricted overnight—really messes with your mindset.

But that’s the game, isn’t it? Whether it’s in business or in life, we’re constantly riding the waves. The highs are unbelievable—and they’re the reason we keep showing up. The wins, the milestones, the personal accomplishments, the proud dad moments—they’re what fuel us. And the lows, well, they keep us grounded. They remind us to be grateful, to be resilient, and to keep pushing forward.

In business, it’s exactly the same. We put in the hours, hustle for the contract, build relationships, plan every move—and sometimes it all pays off. But other times, the deal falls through, the project hits a wall, or something completely unexpected knocks us off course. That same helpless feeling creeps in, and it stings.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned—whether it’s training for a triathlon or building a business—it’s that the tough times make the wins matter. They give them depth. They teach us to appreciate the ride, not just the destination.

We don’t get to choose the waves—but we do get to choose how we ride them.