Let me tell you about something that happened over Christmas that's stuck with me ever since.

I was down visiting my mum, and my brother messaged me before I arrived.

He said, "Thanks, bro... I've just had the same Turkish delight you brought Mum back from holiday. She hasn't told you, but she doesn't actually like it, so every year I end up eating loads of it."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Anyway, when I saw my mum, I jokingly confronted her and asked why she'd never said anything.

I told her, "If you'd just been honest about it, I could've bought you something you actually enjoy instead."

Here's where it gets interesting.

Turns out, she does like Turkish delight.

She just doesn't like the traditional stuff we'd brought back from Greece.

She prefers the more processed, chocolate-covered version you get here.

We really got a kick out of that, and I made sure she knew there was absolutely no issue at all.

But it got me thinking.

We avoided being truthful because we didn't want to hurt each other's feelings.

And what happened?

My mum ended up quietly accepting something she didn't really enjoy.

My brother got stuck eating Turkish delight year after year.

And I was buying gifts that missed the mark.

Nobody won. Nobody got what they actually needed.

That's the thing about honesty: we often dodge it because we're worried about offending.

But when we do that, we end up frustrated.

And the other person never gets the chance to actually help or support us properly.

The truth doesn't have to be harsh. If it's delivered in a positive, supportive way, it helps everyone move forward.

That's exactly how I coach.

I'm always upfront and honest with my clients, not to criticise, but to guide them.

Sometimes the truth isn't what you want to hear.

Maybe it's about your nutrition. Maybe it's about your training intensity. Maybe it's about consistency.

But it's usually what you need to hear to make real progress.

And that's how people improve. That's how they lose weight. That's how they get stronger on the bike.

I don't believe in telling clients what they want to hear. I believe in telling them what actually works.

If you're serious about real results, if you want to lose weight, get stronger on the bike, and work with a coach who'll actually tell you what you need to hear in a supportive way, then the Cycle Lean Project is for you.

We start next Monday, 5th January. Prices go up on Friday, and there are only 13 spots left.

We'll be onboarding everyone over the weekend so you're fully set up before we kick things off.

Click the link below to join.

The Cycle Lean Project 2026

P.S. Have a wonderful New Year, wishing you all the best for 2026!