Mind over matter: Could it be that most of us are physically capable of getting on our bicycles and cycling around Sicily, but we just don’t know it yet?

By Prof Nigel Camilleri

Extracts from our 5-day cycle challenge around Sicily, covering over 970 km and 7,300 m of elevation, amidst thousands of thoughts, emotions, and feelings set against lovely scenery. This endeavour was undertaken to raise mental health awareness as part of the 'healthy body, healthy mind' campaign.

How badly do you want it? This article presents a real-life scenario illustrating how athletic performances depend as much on the mind as on the body to confront fears we all face, such as the fear of failure, suffering, and many others. It utilises the 'psychobiological' model of athletic performance to explore how athletes surpass their physical limitations during ultra-distance events, embarking on an inward journey of self-discovery.

Day 3 Reflections - Isola delle femine to Patti- we’re at 610km in…

The perineum is sore... It's been more than 24 hours in the saddle now. Every part of my body aches, whether it's my knee joint or my ankle, the tightness of my calves, or simply my neck from holding my head and helmet up all this time. However, each time I encounter such pain, I shift my focus to another part of my body that feels good, look around me to admire the wonderful scenery Sicily has to offer, or delve into my mind to recall an experience that has strengthened me. Today, it was the elderly people on the streets or in the houses of Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India, where I volunteered so many years ago. They would say to me, 'I am paining,' as a matter of fact, with a significant level of acceptance and tranquillity, and then shuffle on. They taught me that pain is just another aspect of our lives. It is our brains that want to keep us in a state of comfort, but in truth, pain is another important and real part of our lives. This thought brings a feeling of acceptance to my body, even if only momentarily, as I settle back into my saddle and try my best to bring a smile to my face.

Tonight, we covered the distance and finished after dark. The final part of the journey, shrouded in darkness, was a game-changer; it unleashed a different energy. Given the cold and fatigue, maintaining one's equilibrium became a challenge. Keeping the body temperature stable whilst cycling, and the mind focused on the hairpin turns of the road, required continuous effort on the pedals. With the fatigue, my heart rate was dropping, which isn't ideal as it leads to getting colder. Thus, it became a matter of spinning the pedals, while finding amusement in the challenge of cycling in the dark.

I believe the beauty of ultra-distances lies in the realisation that, just when you think your body is depleted and defeated, with thoughts of ending the cycle and stepping into the van creeping in, you dig deeper and discover that the body still has more to offer. Psychologically, it's fascinating to realise how powerful the brain is and how little of its potential we actually utilise. The body can achieve far more than we believe.

Currently, there are five of us undertaking this challenge. I'm fairly certain that, mentally, I'm the weakest among us. These individuals are incredibly resilient.

Initially, there were others who intended to join us, but as often happens in life, many wish to do something, yet few actually invest the time and energy to turn their dreams into reality – 'tra il dire e il fare c'è in mezzo il mare'. The group on this trip comprises three cyclists and two triathletes. Once again, the abilities between the two groups are markedly different. The most apt comparison I can draw is between a 'generalist' in their field and a 'specialist' in just one area. A person who trains on their bicycle seven days a week becomes significantly fitter on the bike than someone attempting to keep pace with three different sports disciplines: swim, bike, run.

For me, the individual who embodies resilience in this challenge is Bastjan, the other triathlete and a businessman by profession. On every hill we climb, his legs are spinning like a fan in the summer heat, and his breath puffs as though it might be his last. With each ascent, I tell myself, "This will be his last; he will stop here." Yet, contrary to expectations, 24 hours later (over three days), he is still tackling every challenge on the bike, every hill, every burst of speed. The man simply keeps going, climbing every damned hill as though it's his first of the day. Moreover, not once does he voice a complaint, and every time we reach a summit, all he says is 'Ejja Nig, another one done', and cycles on.

To cap it all, when we stop after eight hours of cycling, he swiftly transitions into work mode, starts addressing his missed work calls, and listens to his voice messages at double speed to save time. All the while, he is unpacking his bag and cleaning his bike to prepare for the next day.

So, we all think of quitting at some point in life, both in sports and during a long day at work. We all believe we have reached our limit and that we are beaten. But who decides what our limits are? Who decides when we are beaten? Are these limitations merely set by our own mind? Could it be that, like Bastjan, despite our busy lifestyles, we all can get on our bicycles and cycle around Sicily?

'How bad do you want it?' teaches us how anyone can cultivate the mental strength to surmount challenges in sports and life. The lessons learned on the road can never be taught in a classroom.