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US Motorcycle Tour Reflections: Stoicism, Community, and Connection
This is the latest in my Stoic Rider series, reflecting on a journey across the US that took me from a reunion with the Hayabusa I once rode at Bonneville, to the redwoods of California and the camaraderie of women riders in Maine. Along the way I found community, laughter, and reminders of Stoic truths: that nature restores us, obstacles shape us, and connection gives life its meaning.
Gone Wild: Stoic Lessons from Mud, Fear, and Community
This is a standalone reflection inspired by my weekend at the Gone Wild festival in Devon. Supported by Bear Grylls and the Royal Marines Charity, the event was a wild mix of mud, fear, and community. It reminded me of some timeless Stoic truths: the value of nature, the strength of the body, the power of mind over fear, and the joy of belonging to something bigger than yourself.
Stoic Lessons from my Book Launch
This is a special post in The Stoic Rider series, reflecting on the book launch at Pendine Sands. From a humble eBay bike to a museum display, the day was filled with Stoic lessons — courage to act without waiting for the perfect time, gratitude for community, and the reminder that all is fleeting. These moments become memories, and this one will be treasured forever.
The Road is the Teacher
This is the twelfth and final post in a 12-part series exploring the philosophy behind The Stoic Rider. In The Road is the Teacher, Louisa Swaden reflects on Rocky Balboa’s famous words about resilience, sharing how the road – both literal and metaphorical – rewards not appearances but endurance. Every 5 to 7 years, we change, shaped by the challenges and beauty we encounter. The road teaches us not to dominate, but to listen, adapt, and keep becoming.
Answer the Call: Why Purpose Isn’t Found, It’s Felt
This is the eleventh in a 12-part series inspired by my book, The Stoic Rider: Philosophy in Motion. This chapter explores the idea of purpose – not as a plan, but as a pulse. A call to live a life that feels honest and expansive. The kind of life you can look back on and say: I showed up fully, even when it was hard.