Steve Bell

Unfortunately, it’s a common sentiment to many that have reached middle age – that we resign to age and injury. There is a level of “social norm” that it’s acceptable to not partake in activity that may cause harm or has a stigma attached that “you’re too old” to participate in.

Here at PEAK, we ask ourselves: Why?

Why is someone too old to run? When there is no credible evidence to suggest it is bad for us. In fact, research has confirmed even running once a week can lower mortality and cancer rates.¹

So when Steve responded with “those days are behind me.” I made it my mission to get him back doing what he wanted but to also break the sociological and psychological restraints holding Steve back from having the confidence to give everything a go in life,

Think BIG, act SMALL is a principle that we live by at PEAK.

It helps guide us when helping athletes have experiences not felt possible. We know “an experience” is relative to the person, so in Steve’s case, I didn’t suggest a marathon on that day back in 2016. Instead, we started with running twice a week on the Anti-Gravity Treadmill at 50% of his body weight and strength training in our Prevention Classes. Slowly…. we built up from here.

As Steve began to compound strength, he also began to develop confidence in his knees and his body in general, which allowed him to begin thinking without constraints. This is when I suggested that he give the 2017 Bridge to Brisbane a go. A little unsure, we decided to do a 5km lead up race at the Mother’s Day Classic.

Signing up for the 5km event gave Steve real purpose with his training and seeing the “fruits of his labour” on the day, further solidified in Steve’s mind, that given the right training and attitude, he is not limited due to age, injury or illness. It allowed Steve to “Dream Big” and to jump in to new and challenging experiences.

Steve went on to complete the 2017 Bridge to Brisbane but did not stop there.

After having this fundamental mindset shift, Steve signed up for the 2018 Gold Coast Half Marathon – this was a huge achievement. Something he really felt he could not do just 12 months earlier. However, with good preparation, steely determination and newfound optimism, Steve smashed this goal!

He came back and finished this again in 2019 and then was the first athlete signed up for our first ever “Experience Not Felt Possible” trip to Nepal in October 2019 where Steve endured a 10 day mountain bike trek through some of the most arduous passes in the world. With the highest climb going over 5500 metres!!

Steve continues to inspire us every day with his positivity, ability to embrace life and give everything a go attitude. Thanks for helping us bring our vision to life.