It’s been over a month since I got back from the Alps, and the disappointment has finally started to subside. My foot seems to be getting better, and I’ve started running again and getting back into the gym.
There’s certainly no shortage of things going on in my life at the moment. I’ve decided to leave my current job after being approached by a global financial company. It’s all very exciting, but also a little stressful. Starting a new role at my age brings its own set of challenges!
The move should, however, give me something I’ve been desperately trying to reclaim: time.
In my current role, I’m on call one weekend in every three. In the new role, that drops to one weekend in every five. It might not sound like a huge difference, but it means getting a significant chunk of my life back.
More time outdoors, more time for my own training and, importantly, more time to develop my personal training business — my little side quest as I prepare for retirement.
Talking of personal training, I’m getting pretty close to the finish line with my qualifications. Most of the coursework is done, with just two practical assessments left to complete.
I’ve even managed to find my first two clients, in the shape of friends who’ve kindly agreed to let me use them for practice and as case studies for my coursework. It’s a great opportunity to put what I’ve learnt into practice, gain some experience and start building my confidence as a PT.
What started as an idea is slowly becoming something tangible. There’s still plenty to do before I can turn it into a proper business, but for the first time, I can really see it taking shape.
And then there are the mountains.
I’ve also been in touch with my guide, Vasile, a Romanian who I got on with really well during my time in the Alps. We’ve been talking about plans for my return trip, and just having those conversations has made the whole thing feel real again.
I’m not ready to give up on the Matterhorn. The disappointment of the last trip is still part of the story, but it doesn’t have to be the end of it. If anything, it’s made me more determined to go back and finish what I set out to do.
It’s going to happen. I’m going to make it happen.
For now, the plan is simple: get my foot right, finish my qualifications, settle into the new job and start planning that return to the mountains.
One step at a time. And this time, I intend to make every step count.
After all, the whole point of The Shugyō Project is to dare to dream, dare to go. I’m not quite finished dreaming yet.
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