Blog #5

Turning 60 is a milestone that invites reflection, celebration and, in my case, a slightly alarming desire to set myself new challenges rather than lie down quietly and grow old gracefully. 1966 was a year that carried special significance if you know anything about the Chinese zodiac. It was the year of the Horse - but this was not any old horse. This was the year of the Fire Horse, which comes around only once every 60 years. The Chinese zodiac assigns unique traits to each animal and element combination, and the Fire Horse is one of the most dynamic. People born under this sign are often described as energetic, independent and fearless. The fire element adds intensity, passion, and a drive to blaze new trails. I don’t see much of myself in that description, but there are definitely some qualities worth aspiring to. At 60 many might slow down or settle into comfort zones but the Fire Horse, apparently, didn't get that memo. Instead, it suggests that age is less a limit and more a stage (oh, yeah, I'm liking that). One where experience replaces recklessness and enthusiasm is (ideally) supported by better planning and more stretching.

This year, for me, turning 60 feels more like a fresh start than a slowdown. The Fire Horse reminds us that age isn’t a boundary, but a chance for reinvention and growth. Passion doesn’t have to fade with time - it just needs to be a little more strategic and mindful of the value of rest days.

Athletic training and life coaching have a lot in common. Both require setting clear goals, staying motivated when the going gets tough, dealing with setbacks, and celebrating progress - even when it's not dramatic. My own training journey continues to inform my coaching practice in practical ways:

• Goal Setting: breaking big ambitions into manageable and realistic steps

• Resilience: seeing setbacks as information and learning, not failure

• Mindfulness: staying present rather than catastrophising mid-challenge

• Self-Compassion: learning that being kind to yourself actually improves performance. And is a whole lot nicer than beating yourself up

  
  

These principles help clients navigate their own life challenges, whether related to career, relationships, or simply the sense that life has more to offer than the current routine.

2026, another Fire Horse year, feels like an invitation to lean into who I am now, rather than who I was, or who I think I should be. Although I am most definitely NOT fearless (sometimes I'm a right fanny) I like to think that by continually challenging myself I am proving that life after 60 can be full of purpose and a whole heap of fun and exciting adventures. The challenges that I've set myself this year are running the length of Shetland, representing GBR at the World Triathlon Championships, and competing in the New York Marathon. These are more than athletic goals - they are expressions of a broader philosophy: that growth doesn't stop at 60, comfort zones are optional, and it's never too late to choose something that asks a bit more of you. Preferably with good support and a sense of humour. If you're approaching a transition - an age, a change, or just a point where "business as usual" just doesn't quite fit - coaching can provide the space to talk about it, set direction, and move forward with intention. If that sounds useful, I'd be happy to talk.

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