Now the dust (well sand) has settled…
The Marathon des Sables is done.
270 km. Self-supported across the Sahara.
Heat, fatigue, isolation… and moments of real connection.
And like anything meaningful, it didn’t go to plan.
I leaned heavily on the GAZING RED2BLUE mindset tools I coach others in.
Because pressure shows up in predictable ways:
Expectation. Scrutiny. Consequence.
My lessons from the desert:
1. Recognise & Accept
First 3 days… my stomach was in bits.
Couldn’t eat. Fuelling was off.
Frustration and doubt kicked in.
My 🔴 Head was triggered
The shift?
Recognise it. Accept it. Choose my response.
2. Know Yourself to Lead Yourself
The desert exposes everything.
Your tendencies — good and bad.
The key is noticing what shows up… how do I want to respond?
3. Focus on Control
You can’t control the terrain, the heat, or the emotions that seem to come from nowhere.
👉 What can I control right now?
👉 Where do I place my attention?
4. Act with Intent ( 🔵 head)
Not perfect. Not heroic.
Just deliberate steps forward.
One checkpoint at a time.
5. Move up the Performance Line
👉 Zoom Out - Where am I right now?
👉 Zoom in - What do I need to do to move up the line?
40 → 45.
Perspective
Small actions.
Keep moving.
6. Purpose pulls you through
This was never just about me.
Every step was for those living with MND and their families.
When it got tough, purpose cut through everything.
It kept me moving.
I leaned into the waves of emotions, and I let them out - I cried.
7. The finish line comes
It feels endless when you’re in it.
But stay with it.
Keep going.
It appears.
This wasn’t just about the desert.
It was about testing myself — physically, mentally, emotionally.
And bringing those lessons back into everyday performance.
👉 You don’t need perfect conditions
👉 You need awareness, control, and intentional action
👉 You need to accept the discomfort
Now… what’s your desert?
If you’ve got big goals ahead — individually or as a team — and want to perform under pressure, not just talk about it…
I’m opening a small number of 1:1 coaching and team programmes.
Drop me a message.
#MarathonDesSables #Resilience #PerformanceUnderPressure #Leadership #Mindset #Red2Blue #MDS #MDS4MND
Challenging MND
