Submitted by:  Bradley Arendse

Being 6 months post kidney transplant, some might say I push my body too far . . . Limits are set by yourself and you can push through them.

“Am I a good guy, or a bad guy?”

I cannot say for sure, but what I can say is this:

“I am driven by passion, heart, a strong will, determination and a need to see positive in any given situation, with a dream of a healthy life.”#ImStaying

Being locked down for me, the most difficult part, is not being able to get on my bicycle and enjoy the open road with fresh air and beautiful sites.  But I decided it should not mean I cannot get on my bicycle to keep them legs in shape and burn some calories in the process.

“I am driven by passion, heart, a strong will, determination and a need to see positive in any given situation, with a dream of a healthy life.”#ImStaying

The other day I received a video clip where a guy constructed his own contraption to peddle his pedals, in the saddle, in the comfort of his own home.

The idea stuck with me.  Ever since lockdown I’ve been thinking, tweaking, turning, and eventually got a working model going, using a used paint roller, my dogs’ leash, a shoelace, an inner tube, a chain, and some pallet wood. 

The paint roller helps with some traction, but one of the problems was to keep the bike from moving from side to side, and that was a huge challenge.  I tried using the inner tube and dog leash, with no effect, but the shoelace came to the rescue.  Balance was achieved.   The inner tube added some stability to the core and the chain elevated the bike to carry my weight.  Adjustable, of course, with two settings, one for traction and the other freestyle, just hanging free flowing in between the pieces of pallet wood, for front wheel stability.

It all came together and what do you know, victory is mine!  It works and I can ride again.  Just ride and thankfully it is now part of my daily exercise routine. 

Being 6 months post kidney transplant, some might say I push my body too far, nay I say.

“Believe and act as if it was impossible to fail.”

Impossible, some might say.  Well for me it only means I must work harder because it always seems impossible until it’s done, right?

Well no more I say, get up and do YOU!

Believe and act as if it was impossible to fail.  I believe in myself and my drive to improve, not only my physical form, but my health.   That is me.

“Dreams are just another form of driving power that leads to motivation and eventually success, so find what moves you and run down that dream.”

Limits are set by yourself and you can push through them.  Set your targets high, then aim higher, hit a bullseye, and see those limits crumble before you.  No use in setting goals and then only dream about achieving them.  You must go and get them.  “Dreams are just another form of driving power that leads to motivation and eventually success, so find what moves you and run down that dream.”

Cycling changed my life and I dream to help others achieve that same feeling of self-confidence, discipline, and self-respect. 

I always say:  “If you look good, you feel good, whether it be body, mind or soul.”  I am determined to keep active and not fall into a slump because of some regulation.

It is my life, my choices, and I do this not because I must, but because I can and because I want to.

“Failure is taking the path that everyone else does, success is making your own path.”

 

Edited By: Michelle Pagel

GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS