A Moment For Gratitude

As the sun dips below the horizon and another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the path I’ve walked and looking ahead to the trails yet to be forged. With 2025 on the horizon, I’m filled with a sense of hope and determination to build on the lessons of this year and embrace the opportunities to come. This year has been the most challenging of my life, but it has also been the most defining. A year of pain, of setbacks, of grappling with the kind of trials that test not just your resilience, but the very fabric of who you are. And yet, here I am, still standing, still fighting, and most importantly, still growing. As I look ahead to 2025, I carry with me the resilience honed through hardship, the lessons learned from every challenge, and a renewed sense of purpose to embrace new goals with courage and determination.

Born and raised with the South African bush as my playground, I’ve always carried the spirit of the pioneer within me. The bush teaches you lessons you don’t forget: that nature is both beautiful and brutal, that survival is earned, and that every setback is an opportunity to learn. This year, those lessons took on new meaning as life threw challenges at me like a rogue elephant charging with relentless force.

The Trials That Tested Me

This year wasn’t just a curveball; it was a boulder hurled straight at my chest. From professional battles to personal struggles, it felt like every corner I turned came with a fresh dose of adversity. There were moments when I thought, “Why me?” Moments when the weight of everything threatened to pull me under. Moments when the dream seemed too distant and the pain too great.

But if there’s one thing the bush has taught me, it’s that standing still is not an option. When faced with a charging storm, you don’t retreat; you adapt, you move, and sometimes, you simply endure. I’ve faced the wild with nothing but instinct and determination, and this year, I called on that same energy, the bush boy grit that has always been part of me.

The Pioneer Spirit

A pioneer doesn’t wait for things to get easier; they forge ahead, cutting through thickets and blazing new trails. And that’s exactly what I did. The setbacks became my teacher, the pain became my fuel, and the doubts became my motivation. I leaned into the lessons of failure and used them as stepping stones to rebuild myself, piece by piece, day by day.

I rediscovered the strength that comes not from avoiding the storm but from learning to dance in the rain. The bush boy in me thrived on the challenge. After all, when you’ve grown up under the African sun, you know that the fiercest droughts are followed by the most breathtaking rains. And when the rain finally comes, the dry, cracked earth is reborn, a reminder that no matter how hard life may seem, resilience is always rewarded.

Finding My Why

In the chaos, I found clarity. I was reminded of the “why” that has always driven me, a deep love for what I do, an unwavering desire to make an impact, and an inner fire that refuses to be extinguished. I tapped into the passions that define me: the outdoors, the drive to inspire others, and the unwavering belief that even in our darkest moments, there’s light to be found.

I built and rebuilt. I started ventures, overcame fears, and faced challenges head-on. From creating a life in Newquay, Cornwall, to rebranding my business, Fit Purdy Academy, the year was not without its victories. Each step forward felt like reclaiming a part of myself, a reminder that the pioneer’s journey is not about the destination but the perseverance it takes to keep moving forward.

Gratitude for the Journey

Looking back, I realise that even the toughest moments this year came with gifts. These moments, though challenging, became stepping stones to growth and resilience. As I turn toward 2025, I carry forward the hope that every obstacle contains an opportunity and every setback paves the way for new triumphs. Let this be a year of abundance, learning, and prosperity for us all. Pain, as raw as it is, brought growth. Challenges, as frustrating as they were, sharpened my determination. And setbacks, as humbling as they felt, grounded me in gratitude.

I’m thankful for the people who stood by me through the storm, the lessons I’ve learned, and the progress I’ve made. I’m grateful for the moments that reminded me of my roots, for the walks in nature that healed my soul, and for the unwavering faith that no matter how hard the journey gets, there’s always a way forward.

A Call to Action

As I wrap up this year, I want to leave you with this: Whatever challenges you’ve faced this year, know that they don’t define you. It’s how you respond, how you adapt, and how you rise that shapes your story. Be the bush boy, the pioneer, the one who finds beauty in the struggle and strength in the scars.

To anyone reading this, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Celebrate the wins, however small they may seem. Honour the struggles, for they’ve shaped who you are. And as the new year approaches, step into it with courage, resilience, and the belief that even the toughest years bring seeds of transformation.

Here’s to a new year, a year of growth, of adventure, and of forging ahead with renewed connections, bold professional milestones, and the courage to embrace every new opportunity that 2025 brings. Let us pioneer with purpose and thrive with gratitude. After all, the pioneer’s journey is never over; it’s just the beginning of the next trail.

With grit and gratitude,
Coach Purdy