In just a few days I am doing the Ironman 70.3 in Nice - yes you read that right Olivia is doing an IRONMAN 😱 known to be one of the hardest triathlons in the world.

1.9km SWIM

90km + 1300m climb BIKE

21km (half marathon) RUN

with cut off times

In summer 2022 I signed up having never owned a road bike, I HATE(D) running, and as for swimming... a nice little splash in a pool here and there was just lovely thanks!

So I bought a bike with funky handlebars, and those strange clip pedals, joined a triathlon club and thought right then I've got 8 months...

First training session in the pool, when I arrived they were already pounding those lengths; absolute machines. I was overweight, and felt so out of place having only ever really done breaststroke all my life! That session I managed 700m and I was exhausted.

As for the cycling, where do I start?! The pedals ?! / Those RIDICULOUS hills / mountains?! - and well I'm not exactly 'light'!!

So on Sunday 25 June 2023 I will complete the hardest challenge of my life. BUT this one - I have chosen.

Many people have said "You're mad" / "WHY on earth - and HOW on earth!!???"

Well the hardest times we face in our lives, we don't choose to go through that hell, we simply choose to survive through pure determination, the invaluable support from friends and family and that belief in just how STRONG you are.

Having been desperately bullied at boarding school from the age of 13 and not being able to escape it, it breaks my heart that children these days as young as 9 years old have suicidal thoughts (and actions) because of physical and emotional bullying. It is even worse now with hate and cruelty spread on social media.

You cannot imagine the hell and living with it 24/7 - being hated - quite simply hated and punished for being a normal human being.

When I left school I chose exactly what I wanted to do, and where I wanted to go. I have since travelled (nearly) the whole world solo, changed careers, and I have built a successful career in France as an Independent self-employed Teacher and Examiner to a huge variety of students all around the world including Olympic sportsmen, premier league footballers, racing drivers, world renowned cosmetic surgeons, and the most amazing smart and motivated children, teenagers and young adults.

But life is one hell of rollercoaster and in 2021, I was horrificly scammed out of my hard earned savings of 30,000€ through a 'boyfriend' and a corrupt building company! I had worked so hard at designing my renovation project for my home - I designed everything myself, chose and collected all the materials - everything. Contracts were in place, paperwork checked etc etc - but even Bill sodding Gates could get screwed over. It can happen to the most savy of us.

Now that really (really) hurt and I struggled... my brother would call me from New York, I'd break down and cry on him, and my friend Amy went above and beyond. I nearly broke... I'm keeping it short but it was horrendous and those of you who were there for me over the phone and in person - I cannot thank you enough!

SO I worked my BACK SIDE off and I overcame it. I've never worked more hours in my life!

NOTHING is impossible - if you believe you CAN, you absolutely WILL!

The point is - NOT sympathy and all that, but the SUPPORT, the COURAGE, the STRENGTH of mind and to know you are not alone and you will succeed! SO if you want to help those who really need our support to show them how amazing and strong they are, then please don't hesitate to donate to put a STOP to bullying.

... And that's WHY I'm doing this Ironman challenge... I have worked my absolute 'derriere' off these last few months because it takes one hell of alot of determination, PAIN, AND SWEAT to survive but by god it's worth it!!

Thank you so much for your support. I love you all dearly.

Olivia