With every disappointment, at the same time comes sweetness. It is a bit like lemons and oranges. most important of all, you have to stay true to yourself and your beliefs at any time and remain humble in defeat as in victory and that you have fun.

As mentioned in the title, I have decided to go pro. I was gonna announce it after Kona, but since I am not going I can announce that now.

What is the reason for that?

At the end of last UAE season ( end of April 2014 ), I felt a bit bored on how easy it was to compete. This is not meant to be taken as a knock on anybody, but that’s how it felt. So I was put in front of 2 choices: either continue to win these little trophies and amass 357 of them on the mantelpiece or challenge myself to compete against a higher level.

I decided for the latter of course. 🙂

I really look forward to this and I am as nervous and frightened as I was when I first started with triathlon ca. 5 years ago.

but really in the end, for me nothing changes. it is the same, now just the starting time will change. I will continue to apply and never forget what got me into this place: hard work, sweat, dedication, sacrifice, pain, anger, my character.

Also, a boyhood dream comes true: I always wanted to play professional sports. now I have accomplished that as well.

I can recommend to anyone to at least try to go on that journey of self discovery. What do you have to lose? nothing. you can only win. And when you are grey and old, you can say to yourself: dude, fuck dat shit, I done it. it is vital to live without regrets.

when and where I will start as pro in 2015 I have not yet decided, but I have decided that DIT is going to be my first pro comp, which makes me very proud as it is my home race. And to do that here in front of many people that I know, and in a place I have started the sport makes me really proud indeed.

look forward to seeing you out there and good luck to all of you with your 2015 season.

peace. 🙂

O Dawg