What running injuries taught me about financial freedom

Hey Future Millionaire,

Why I had to cancel my adventure race (again)

In 2023, I signed up for Gaelforce West.

It's an adventure race that breaks people. 68 kilometres of running, cycling, kayaking and climbing one of the highest mountains in Ireland. All in one go.

I thought I would hate it. But I loved the challenge. It only took me 5.5 hours!

So naturally, I signed up again the next year.

Because the run was my weakness, I had to prepare better.

But one week before race day in 2024: lower back spasm.

Race cancelled.

This year? Started training two months earlier.

Same result. Another injury. Another DNS (did not start).

That's when it hit me.

The pattern I couldn't see

I wasn't just getting unlucky. I was making the same mistakes over and over - I just couldn't see them.

I could have just accepted that I was 'just bad at running'.

Instead I got professional help from a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a running coach, a VO2max test and gait analysis.

My eyes were opened

My training pace was wrong. I was following generic programmes instead of getting proper testing done.

My strength work had massive gaps. Turns out my right glute was basically on holiday, leaving everything else to compensate.

My nutrition was a joke. I thought eating less would make me lighter and faster.

Instead, I was under fuelling every session and burning myself out.

The worst part? I genuinely thought I was doing everything right.

I thought more running would make me a better runner!

Small mistakes, massive consequences

But here's what I learned: small mistakes don't stay small.

10% wrong on pacing. 10% wrong on strength. 10% wrong on fuel.

That doesn't equal 30% worse performance.

It equals cancelled races and months on the injury bench. I had to cancel my mountainbike trip to Italy as a result.

Now I'm doing it properly.

Professional guidance with a custom plan, proper testing, real coaching.

The financial connection

But this whole mess taught me something bigger.

Because I see exactly the same pattern in people's finances.

They think they're on track:

"I save whatever's left at the end of the month"

"My pension's sorted - HR set it up"

"I invest when I remember"

But just like my training, small financial mistakes compound brutally.

Spending 10% more than you think you are.

Investing in funds with fees 10% higher than necessary.

Missing out on tax relief because your pension strategy is 10% off.

Over 20 years? That's not 30% less wealth. That's hundreds of thousands less.

Maybe your entire early retirement gone.

The invisible damage

The thing is, you won't feel it happening.

Just like I felt fine in training - until I wasn't.

Your bank balance looks okay month to month. Your pension statements seem fine.

But the compound effect of those small mistakes is quietly destroying your financial freedom.

What I learned

So here's what I learned from both my training disasters and helping 235 sales professionals fix their finances:

You can't wing something this important and expect it to work out.

Whether it's racing up a mountain or building wealth - you need a proper plan, proper guidance, and someone to spot the mistakes you can't see.

If you want a blueprint that guarantees that you know how to achieve financial independence in record time, I've got 3 slots left for people to start their plan before the fourth of July.

Because independence is what matters!

We'll look at exactly where your money plan is off track, and what to fix first.

Because you can keep crossing your fingers and hope it works out.

Or you can start training for financial freedom properly.

I am confident that your investment will pay for itself a thousand times over.
If I feel like what I offer you is anything less than excellent, I will give you a full refund.

It is why I won't work with you if I don't think I can help you.

I am off to watch some great performances today at Beyond The Pale festival. Hopefully we'll get a bit of sunshine.

You have an amazing weekend!

— Sjoerd

Financial Freedom Coach | Ex-Sales Director | Tedx presenter | Human Like You

P.S. I signed up for the Lisbon marathon this year instead. Training for that will really pick up after this weekend. Wish me luck!