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A long time ago, a client said something that’s stayed with me:

It’s a subtle shift in language, but a profound one in mindset. And it captures something I believe more of us need to hear — especially those of us with a few more grey hairs and a few more miles in our legs.

When the Context Changes

When we’re young, racing is about times, rankings, qualifications. There’s pride in pushing limits, setting goals, and seeing what we’re capable of. But as the years tick by, the context changes. Our performances no longer define us in the same way. We accumulate battle scars — niggles, surgeries, setbacks. The blocked path becomes a familiar one. Injuries interrupt progress. Motivation dips. Life happens.

But here’s the thing: we’re still here.

And the simple fact that we can train and race is no longer something to take for granted. It's a privilege. A gift. A moment of “I get to.”

What It Means to Be Battle Ready

That’s why I keep coming back to this idea of being Battle Ready. It’s not about being in peak condition every week of the year. It’s about being prepared — mentally, physically, emotionally — for whatever life throws at us. It’s having enough strength, mobility, energy, and resilience to say “yes” when opportunity knocks. Not just in racing, but in life.

You don’t need to be perfect to be battle ready. You just need to be consistent. You need to respect the body you’ve got, honour the experiences that shaped you, and adopt a mindset that looks for possibility instead of excuses.

Battle Scars Are a Badge of Honour

In recent weeks I’ve written about “battle scars” — the aches and limitations that are reminders of a life lived actively. I wear mine with pride. They’re not signs of decline; they’re signs that I’ve shown up, pushed through, and learned what matters. And what matters most these days isn’t a PB — it’s being able to move well, feel strong, and say “yes” to the things I love doing.

Be More Dog

I’ve also written about the need to “be more dog.” Think about a dog after a sprint — tail wagging, tongue out, fully in the moment. No stopwatch. No comparison. Just the joy of moving.

We could learn something from that.

How often do we finish a race and immediately look for flaws? The missed splits. The places we didn’t gain. The goals we didn’t hit.

Instead, what if we took a moment to wag our metaphorical tail? To say: I got to do that. I’m here. I finished. I still can.

Racing as an Expression of Health

That’s what racing should be about. Not proving, but expressing. Not chasing something, but celebrating what we’ve built — a durable, adaptable body and mind that can handle the hard stuff and still smile at the finish.

The longer I coach, the more I believe that the true measure of success isn’t the race time. It’s the healthspan — the number of good years you’ve got to keep doing what you love. Racing can absolutely be a part of that, but only if we view it through the right lens.

Reframing the Start Line

So next time you’re lining up at the start, ask yourself:

• Am I doing this to prove something? Or to express something?
• Am I focused on what I lack, or what I’ve gained through the journey?

Have I “got to” do this… or do I get to?

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​Want support staying active and healthy into your 50s, 60s and beyond?​
That’s exactly what I help people do in the SWAT Inner Circle. Join a group of like-minded men who are building strength, resilience, and longevity — one smart habit at a time.
​Find out more here

Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay healthy, strong, and performing at your best. ​ Simon

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Please check out these podcasts and articles

​ ​ PODCAST: How to be Battle Ready What does it really mean to be battle ready? In this episode of the High Performance Human Podcast, host Simon Ward breaks down a smarter, more sustainable approach to health and fitness — one that’s built for the demands of everyday life, not just race day. Forget chasing peak performance 24/7. Instead, Simon explores how to create a balanced, resilient body and mind through consistent training, smart recovery, and holistic health habits. Whether you're a triathlete, weekend warrior, or just someone who wants to stay strong and active as you age, this episode gives you the tools to be fit for life — not just for now. Tune in now

ARTICLE: Sleep the best Recovery tool you have Back in my younger days, I didn’t give much thought to sleep as a way to enhance performance. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice now, it would be this: pay more attention to what you do in the hours before bedtime. Your pre-sleep routine directly impacts both the quality and quantity of your sleep—and in turn, your overall performance. These days, sleep experts talk a lot about "sleep opportunity." Once you’re asleep, your body takes over the process, but you have a huge influence on how much rest you get and how restorative it is. Creating the right environment and routine before bed can make all the difference. ​ How to create a great pre-sleep routine (3 min read)

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