On April 24th, Carol version 6 truly came to life. I was heading to Belgium, just like most years around this time, for a Para Cycling World Cup. But this year was different—I wasn’t there as a cyclist but as the Team Manager.

How many of us are truly living our purpose? Have you ever paused to ask yourself—what is my WHY?

I don’t believe that grit is just about being dedicated to a goal. It’s deeper than that. Grit is about loving what you’re doing—feeling that fire in your belly even when things get tough.

After winning gold at the Rio Paralympics, I was invited to Monash University for filming. But first, I had training. I parked outside the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), tucked my bag—with my medals inside—into the footwell, and covered it with my jacket. A local thief saw me.

Have you ever noticed how one person’s drive, success, or effort can inspire others to step up? It happens in sports, workplaces, and even in everyday life.

Success looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a promotion, a better job, or a bigger bank balance. But what if we stripped success back to its core? What if success wasn’t measured by external achievements but by something much simpler—being just a little better than you were yesterday?

I used to think setbacks were roadblocks—barriers keeping me from where I wanted to go. But over time, I realised something powerful: adversity wasn’t stopping me; it was shaping me.

Have you ever really thought about who you need in your world? It’s often said that the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become. Their energy, mindset, and habits influence us more than we realise.

How often do we catch ourselves wishing for more? A bigger house, a new car, a fatter bank account, or a better job? It’s human nature to want more, to strive for the next big thing.

I was once told by a friend that life is like a train ride.

We get on, we ride, and we get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises and some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

How many times have we said to ourselves, “I could never do that” or “I won’t try that, I’d just look silly”? I know I’ve done it more than once. But if we don’t try, we’ll never discover our full potential. You might find you’re great at something new, or you may simply fall in love with it.

In a world that often feels fast paced and disconnected, it can be easy to overlook the power of genuine care. But the truth is, caring enough to make a difference—no matter how small—has the potential to change lives, including your own.