No Hyrox Marseille for me - but valuable lessons in dealing with challenges

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in the emergency room still processing the news from the day before: I had a slipped disc.

What I had initially thought was a severe muscle strain from training turned out to be something much more serious. The pain extended from my back to my feet, and the MRI confirmed the cause.

As I sat there, I wondered: will I ever be able to train and perform at my best again? What will happen to my upcoming Hyrox race, where I wanted to qualify for the World Championships?

A nurse came in and after I told her my case, she said, "Your life is going to change drastically."

I was shocked. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.

A week later, after a treatment, I saw a physiotherapist who specializes in spinal injuries. When I asked him when I would be able to walk again, he asked: "Who told you that you couldn't walk?" He said, "Do what you want, as long as you listen to your body."

I was shocked again. A week ago, a nurse had told me that I would never be able to do sport again, and now this.

This experience showed me once again how to deal with and overcome challenges and obstacles - and how perfectly this aligns with the principles of my 6P Success Mindset model:

Act quickly if something goes wrong - Don't ignore it, especially if it affects your everyday life.
Consult experts - There is so much conflicting and incorrect information out there. Don't rely on Google. Find someone who really understands your situation (for me this was the sports doctor and the physiotherapist).
Surround yourself with the right people - people who understand your problems and can support you in difficult times make a huge difference.
Make plans for the future - A setback doesn't stop life. It just means you have to adjust your plans. So, even if Hyrox Marseille doesn't work out for me, I've already signed up for Hyrox Turin in February! You can bet I'll be ready for that!
Enjoy the journey - Things rarely go exactly according to plan, and that's okay. Even obstacles can bring unexpected benefits, such as a deeper connection to the people around you.

Obstacles do not have to define us. It's how we react to them that counts. Keep going, adapt and make the most of the journey.

HYROX, see you in Turin!

#Resilience #Leadership #HighPerformance #Transformation #PersonalGrowth #hyrox