MIGHTY OAKES'S 8 ACORNS FOR GROWTH

When Masters racer Richard Oakes spoke, Chris Sidwells listened - and realised the multiple world champion's hard-won wisdom was too good not to share

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Richard Oakes is no ordinary cyclist. A seven-time UCI Masters world champion, world record holder and entrepreneur - he is CEO of the Ohten Group consultancy - he has excelled in racing, business and family life all at once. Now 56, Oakes continues to beat riders half his age, combining elite-level physical performance with the relentless demands of running a global business while also attending to family life.

In 2022, I interviewed Oakes for this magazine. As he shared his story - his journey through life, sport and business - it struck me that this wasn't just a compelling conversation, but solid gold material for a book that could genuinely help people.

Three years later, here it is. The Equation is Oakes's practical, heartfelt guide about how to live a purposeful yet balanced life, all framed through his passion for cycling. The eight-point taster below gives a flavour of the book's core themes.

1 Strive for balance

Achieving anything in life - be it improved fitness, a fulfilling career, sports performance, relationships - depends on building a solid foundation. To build this foundation, our lives need to be in balance.

The body maintains biological balance at cellular level with a process called homeostasis.

The mind, however, is more easily destabilised, and we can lose our sense of mental balance - which is exactly what happened to Richard Oakes 15 years ago. His wake-up call was the recognition he was burnt out and lacking balance in his life. He urges cyclists to seek a harmony between their personal, professional and physical life.

Although it's often a crisis that triggers transformation, you don't need to wait for one. We can all use our time wisely to pursue deeper purpose, set resonant goals and integrate meaningful activities that reconnect us with our values. In doing so, we create the foundation upon which all growth rests.