The snail, a slimy slow creature that seems to never get anywhere and when it attempts to run it can’t.  I think this is a great description of the old me, I was slow and I felt a bit lost and I really couldn’t run.

The cheetah, a beautiful striking animal with power, finesse and ultimate speed and intent.  That is what I’m striving to be.

I have begun a transformation, from a snail into a cheetah, or thats how I see it anyway.  Things have changed a lot over the past couple of months.

I lost my psyche, like really lost it.  After training so hard for a trip to Magic and then it just not working out I got really de-motivated, in a way that I’ve never felt before.  For a while I didn’t even want to climb, I was totally lost and didn’t know what to do with myself.  I’ve gradually re-found my love for the sport.  I went climbing for a few months, no proper training, just having a lot of fun with friends.  I realised that sometimes we can get so hooked up on a training plan or grade or goal that we forget the real reason for climbing.  We forget why we’re really doing it, and it then becomes a chore.

I also spent a lot of time surfing, and realised that its so nice to have another sport that you don’t take seriously and you do just for a laugh.  You don’t train, but because you’re such a beginner you improve so much every time you go.  Its so much fun and I think it compliments climbing well, it trains your opposite muscles and is ideal for fitness (it also gives you something to do on your rest days!).

After I re found my psyche I really re found it.  I decided that if I’m going to climb I want to do my absolute utmost to be the absolute best I can be.  If that means missing out on hundreds of social gatherings because Im in bed to make sure I recover, or having no relaxing evenings, or losing contact with friends because I have no spare time then I’m willing to do that.

Amazing opportunities are something you have to grab hold of with both hands and never let go of, and so when one came my way I did exactly that.

Finally I’ve started to learn to run, it may sound silly but even at the age of 18 I couldn’t properly run.  I’m getting there now and making some improvements.  I feel like I’m no longer a snail, and reckon I’ve have progressed to a worm….at least they can move a bit faster right?

This is only the beginning of the next chapter of a long and exciting journey, one which I am going to thoroughly enjoy. I hope you’ll continue to support and follow me along the way.

With the help of Dan Bradley and Paul Phillips this website has been created (thank you so much!), and will be where I now upload all blog content. My old blog is now going to be deleted, so if you want to see what I’m upto then keep checking this out!