In July 2023, just after my 50th birthday, I decided to revisit a passion I had set aside decades earlier—motorcycling.

Back in my 20s, I had only ever been a pillion passenger. Life took a different direction, and learning to ride for myself never happened. But when I hit 50, I started thinking: What else do I want to do with my life? That’s when the idea of riding my own motorcycle came rushing back.

I imagined the freedom, the adventure, the pure joy of being on two wheels.

But the reality? It was far from easy.

A Rocky Start

Despite people telling me it would be simple, learning to ride turned out to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Not because I lacked the determination—but because fear and self-doubt got in my way.

I showed up to my first session in August 2023, fully geared up but completely clueless. I couldn’t even ride 10 metres in a straight line on a moped. I fell off three times. My instructor wasn’t shy about letting me know I was a lost cause. And in that moment, I believed him.

If I hadn’t already bought my geared bike, I probably would have walked away. But something in me refused to quit. I wanted to prove—to myself, to that instructor, to everyone—that I could do this.

Learning to Adapt

The first thing I did? I booked another session—with a different instructor. I leaned on a very supportive friend and mentor who had years of riding experience (even if he didn’t always understand why I was struggling so much).

I soon realized that learning to ride wasn’t just about the mechanics—it was about having the right mindset.

As a confidence and weight loss coach, I spend my days helping others believe in themselves. Now, I had to turn that expertise inward. I dug deep, applying every tool I knew about managing fear and self-doubt. I worked with an incredibly patient training school that adapted to my learning style.

Two months later, at the end of October 2023, I finally earned my CBT certificate.

Facing the Next Challenge

You’d think that after all that, I’d be ready to go for my full licence right away. But honestly? The thought of it terrified me.

I considered staying on my CBT forever, just to avoid the stress of more training and tests. But I hated being restricted—riding with L plates, avoiding motorways, feeling limited. And everyone kept telling me that riding a bigger, more powerful bike would actually be easier (spoiler: they were right).

So, for the next eight months, I pushed myself.

There were plenty of setbacks. I took my fair share of tumbles during DAS training. I failed my first Module 1 test on May 17, 2024  – before I even got started – when I went the wrong way around the slalom and dropped the bike.

That was a defining moment. I had to dig even deeper and use all my mindset strategies to keep going.

I joined a small local riding group that gave me real-world road experience. I found supportive Facebook communities, used an online motorcycle training app, and read a fantastic book on motorcycle confidence for women.

All of this helped. By the time my Module 1 re-test came around on June 19, 2024, I was feeling ready.

And then… I dropped the bike again.

An hour before my test.

That moment tested my resilience like nothing before. But less than two hours later, I walked out of the test centre with my certificate in hand—zero faults.

Two weeks later, on July 3, 2024, I passed Module 2 with an almost perfect score. The L plates came off, and the world opened up.

Now, I Help Others Do the Same

Since passing, I’ve trained with three different motorcycle schools, completed advanced training, and ridden thousands of miles, including some incredible road trips. I even bought my dream bike, which I named Shadow of April after my beloved dog.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I didn’t give up. Riding has brought me a sense of freedom, confidence, and adventure I never could have imagined.

But I also know how many new riders struggle with fear and self-doubt, just like I did. Every day, I see posts from people who feel stuck—too scared to book their CBT, too nervous to ride solo, too overwhelmed to enjoy their bike.

That’s why I created Motorcycle Mindset Coaching.

Now, I use all my skills as a personal trainer, life coach, hypnotherapist and wellbeing coach in addition to what I learned in sports psychology study, to help new riders develop the mindset they need to ride with confidence.

💡 Important: I’m not a motorcycle instructor and don’t pretend to be. My coaching is designed to complement your practical training – not replace it. But I can also point you toward some of the best training schools in the industry.

If my story sounds familiar, and you’re ready to work on your motorcycle courage and confidence, let’s talk.

Click here to book a free chat.

P.S. These mindset strategies don’t just apply to motorcycling. Whether it’s driving, skydiving, rock climbing, or anything else outside your comfort zone, the same confidence-building techniques can help you push through fear and achieve your goals.