It's never too late to take on the goal of your dreams

I’ve been asked this question a lot lately:

‘Is it too late to take on my goal? Am I too old?’

My short answer is a resounding…

No! It’s never too late to take on a goal of any kind

You might get there, you might not. But age or life-stage shouldn’t stop you trying.

If it feels right - trust it is.

I’ll quote Betty White here with her take on age:

“I think it's your mental attitude. So many of us start dreading age in high school and that's a waste of a lovely life.
'Oh... I'm 30, oh, I'm 40, oh, 50.' Make the most of it.”

But often stories of what others have done provide a far more powerful answer.

Here are a few examples of the many inspiring people I’ve had the privilege to connect with, doing things at all ages and stages of life:

Peggy - IRONMAN at 74 yrs

I wrote about Peggy in my book, she was the oldest IRONMAN Finisher in the event I did. At 74 years of age! She took up running in her 50’s and had done 16 IRONMAN’s at the time of our event, with many more by now I’m sure.

Carol Cooke AM - World Champ Paralympian still competing at 60 yrs

Where do I start… I’ll draw on some published words that describe her well:

“A sports fanatic, workaholic, former undercover police officer and Multiple Sclerosis/Disability advocate, Carol Cooke AM is one of the most inspirational figures in Australian sport.”

In 2001 she was in a wheel chair full time with an MS Diagnosis.
But she wasn’t done. She had an Olympic Dream from a young age. And she went on to reach that dream many times in Cycling. Becoming a 9 x World Champion with too many Paralympic and World Cup Medals to count, and representing her country again last year in the Paralympic Games aged 60!

And she’s still not done :)

Carol - 104 Marathons and counting at 60 yrs

Another inspirational Carol. She’s done 104 MARATHONS!!! Including both the Up and Down Comrades Marathon (87km) in South Africa. And her most recent Marathon was about a week ago - a 1 km out and back course on grass and dirt. And what’s more she managed to do it in 4 hrs 32 minutes!

Sue - Ocean Paddling at 61 yrs

Sue did her first ever 21km paddle recently, and got a hunger for more - to increase that distance and compete in Ocean Paddling. And she’s doing it!

And then there’s my Dad who attempted a dry start water ski off a rock on the edge of a breakwater (picture almost middle of the ocean) nearing 60 years of age. That didn’t end so well… but he gave it a red hot go! :)

You’re never too old and it’s never ‘too late’ to attempt any kind of goal.

Don’t let the thought of that stop you.

Believe in yourself and your ability!