On May 27th, 2023, I experienced a serious mountain biking accident while attempting trails that exceeded my skill level. The incident resulted in four broken ribs, requiring rescue services to evacuate me from the trails.
Following the accident, I spent a week hospitalised. Compounding this misfortune, I contracted COVID-19 the day before my accident, having been exposed at a work meeting. My COVID symptoms emerged during my hospital stay.
I would not wish on anyone having the spicy cough with broken ribs. Even the smallest cough or movement would cause more pain than I had ever experienced.
Recovery stretched across three months — a particularly difficult timeframe given my circumstances. I had been actively working to regain fitness, shedding pandemic-related weight gain and returning to my previous physical condition.
I have struggled to get that mental drive back. The injury’s lasting impact extended beyond physical healing to emotional resilience and motivation.