Everesting to Endpoints: The Similarities Between Cyber Security and Endurance Cycling

This month marks 10 years since I completed my Everesting challenge, riding the equivalent height of Mount Everest in a single effort.

Even after a decade, I still vividly remember that moment deep into the ride when every muscle screamed to stop, and my mind was fighting fatigue and doubt. But resilience isn’t about feeling good, it’s about committing to the goal and pushing through discomfort with purpose. That kind of endurance, built one climb at a time, teaches you how to stay focused under pressure, how to keep moving when progress feels slow, and how to separate what’s urgent from what’s just loud.

I bring that same mindset into my work in cyber security. Supporting SMEs and public sector organisations often means facing uphill battles, limited resources, evolving threats, and high stakes. But just like in cycling, the path to resilience in business is found in consistency, adaptability, and clarity under stress. Whether it’s guiding a team through a crisis or helping them build long-term defences, the principle is the same: keep moving forward, one smart decision at a time.

My Road into Cyber Security

I didn’t start in cyber security, and I didn’t come through the traditional university route either. For some, that might seem like a barrier. For me, it became an advantage.

My career began in customer-facing and operational IT roles, where I quickly learned the value of service, communication, and trust. I wasn’t buried in code or locked away in server rooms. I was out solving real problems for real people, building a reputation for listening first, acting fast, and never hiding behind jargon.

Over time, my curiosity and hands-on experience naturally pulled me toward security. I saw first-hand how exposed many systems were, especially in small businesses and across public sector organisations. I didn’t need a degree to understand that the risks were growing faster than most businesses could respond. So, I committed myself to learning on the job, investing in certifications, understanding frameworks, and getting dirty with practical security projects, all while staying grounded in what mattered most: keeping the lights on and reputations protected.

Today, I’m an NCSC approved Cyber Essentials Assessor, an experienced consultant to the UK public sector and SMEs, and a trusted voice in building resilience for organisations with limited in-house security teams. But what continues to set my work apart is the foundation it was built on: clear communication, practical service, and real-world results. I understand what it’s like to feel intimidated by cyber security, because I’ve been on the other side. That’s why I make it my mission to empower others with clarity and confidence, not complexity.

My career is built on results, trust, and the belief that everyone can take control of their cyber resilience.

My Core Values

Empowering Clients

Small and mid-sized businesses and public sector organisations alike are vital to our communities and economy, yet all too often they face similar cyber security challenges with limited resources and support. I focus my work on helping these organisations and the security teams within them, build resilience from the inside out. That means simplifying the complex, tailoring advice to what works in the real world, and ensuring both business leaders and technical teams feel informed, supported, and confident in their security posture, not overwhelmed or sidelined.

Working with Integrity

Trust is everything in cyber security. When businesses bring me in, they’re handing over access to systems, data, and strategy and I treat that responsibility with the seriousness it deserves. I don’t sell fear. I don’t overpromise. I give honest, considered advice, even if it’s not what someone wants to hear. Integrity isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a core part of every engagement I take on.

Putting Practicality First

Cyber security doesn’t need to be perfect, it needs to be effective. I’m a strong believer in meeting businesses where they are, not where a framework says they should be. I help teams take practical, impactful steps that improve their security posture without grinding the business to a halt. Theory has its place, but action always wins.

Lessons From the Saddle

Long-distance cycling challenges more than just your legs, it tests your resolve. It asks the same question every business leader faces at some point: Can I keep going when everything inside me says to stop?

Endurance rides strip away distractions, forcing you to focus on what’s right in front of you. The next hill, the next pedal stroke, the next breath. In cyber security, whether you’re aligning with a new framework or managing an incident, that same focus and discipline apply. You don’t have to fix everything all at once, you just need to keep moving forward with intention.

There’s a unique satisfaction in finishing a long ride. Exhausted but quietly confident. Not because it was easy, but because it was hard, and you pushed through anyway. I feel that same sense of accomplishment after a successful client engagement. When a client finally understands their risks or feels secure for the first time, it reminds me why I chose this path. Not for the awards or certifications, but to make a real difference. To help others climb their own mountains.

Final Thoughts: Why I Do What I Do

Looking back on ten years since my Everesting ride, I see clearly how resilience, whether on the bike or in business, comes down to mindset, persistence, and knowing when to push hard and when to pace yourself.

Cyber security can feel like a daunting climb, but with the right support and approach, every organisation can reach the summit.

If you’re facing your own uphill battles or just want to share stories about cycling and endurance, don’t hesitate to reach out, and if you’re up for a ride, I’m always keen to connect on two wheels!