That One Yes Changed Everything

How movement, nature and community reshaped my wellbeing.

I remember sitting around a table eating delicious Chinese food somewhere in Chinatown when Eric said, “Why don’t we enter the London to Brighton bike ride as a team?”

Around the table, my colleagues seemed enthusiastic. There were murmurs of agreement, support, even excitement. My idea of fun at the time tended to involve takeaways and TV, with the most active part of my day being a trip to the shops. So I surprised myself when I heard my own voice saying that I wanted to take part.

Maybe it was groupthink, peer pressure, keeping up with the boys, or a bit of all three. Either way, there I was committing to ride over 60 miles in less than six months.

What followed quietly reshaped my life. Along the way, I discovered four things I hadn’t expected.

1. Being in nature inspires me
Seeing birds in flight, hearing the wind rustle through leaves, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, reaching the summit of a hill. These moments fill me with awe.
Research shows that even a short 20–30 minute visit to nature can reduce stress hormones like cortisol and help regulate your body clock (UCLA Health).

2. Movement calms me
When I’m riding my bike, swimming, running or hiking, my mind becomes quieter and more peaceful.
Studies show that even short bursts of aerobic movement lower stress hormones and boost mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin, contributing to a calmer mental state (Mental Health Foundation).
That effect is amplified when movement happens outdoors.

3. Good company lifts me up
I used to ride alone, but over time I found my tribe. People who encourage me, challenge me and help me thrive.
Spending time in nature with others has been shown to further enhance wellbeing, according to the US National Park Service.

4. Time away from screens relaxes me
Going for a run or a ride means I’m not on my phone, not on my laptop, not watching TV. I’m rarely completely tech-free, but when I am, it feels genuinely liberating.
This too is well-documented. Research published in BMC Medicine shows that reducing screen time can improve wellbeing, sleep quality and stress levels.

We never did the London to Brighton ride. It’s still on my bucket list. But that conversation was the catalyst I needed. Since then, I’ve completed 10k runs, triathlons, 100-mile bike rides and more.

That meal changed my trajectory, and now I want to open up the outdoors to more people. I’ve become a passionate advocate for inclusivity in cycling, and my latest project is a new business designed to help people who ride non-standard bikes experience stunning places with safe, high-quality cycling infrastructure.

Research shows that physical activity delivers more than three times the wellbeing benefit for disabled people compared with non-disabled people (Activity Alliance). But my motivation is simpler than statistics.

I believe everyone deserves the chance to experience these four things.

So next time you’re feeling exhausted, try this: get outside, move your body, take a friend, leave the tech behind, and see what happens.