Sir Chris Hoy, Scotland's most decorated Olympian, is facing his toughest challenge yet - living with terminal cancer. But instead of letting it break him, he's using his platform to make a difference.
For Hoy, the diagnosis was like waking up from a dream. One minute he was competing at the highest level, and the next, he had an incurable illness that would change everything. The reality hit hard - just 5 miles away from his hospital back home, but it felt like an eternity as he trudged through the door.
His wife Sarra described the initial reaction to his diagnosis as a "deep grief". But with the help of mental performance coach Steve Peters, Hoy began to find a new purpose. It wasn't about being negative or giving up, but about focusing on what you can control and making every day count.
Peters, who has worked with big names like Steven Gerrard and Ronnie O'Sullivan, helped Hoy to reframe his mindset. "What Chris did when he was presented with this illness is he said: 'Right, what's the plan?' After we worked through the initial stages of the shock and grief of it, then he came out the other side and he picked up on the purpose."
That purpose now lies in raising awareness about prostate cancer and encouraging others to take control of their health. Hoy believes that every man over 45 should be screened for prostate cancer. He's not just doing this for himself, but for his father and grandfather who both suffered from it.
Hoy's response to the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation that a prostate screening programme wasn't justified has been met with criticism from some quarters. But Hoy is undeterred - "We're failing these men if we don't do something proactive."
In many ways, Hoy's journey is similar to his Olympic career. He found focus and determination in the face of adversity. And now, he's using that same mentality to fight for a cause that matters deeply to him.
"It's more important than riding bikes in anti-clockwise circles," Hoy said with a smile, highlighting the difference between competing at the top level and fighting for his life.
For Hoy, the diagnosis was like waking up from a dream. One minute he was competing at the highest level, and the next, he had an incurable illness that would change everything. The reality hit hard - just 5 miles away from his hospital back home, but it felt like an eternity as he trudged through the door.
His wife Sarra described the initial reaction to his diagnosis as a "deep grief". But with the help of mental performance coach Steve Peters, Hoy began to find a new purpose. It wasn't about being negative or giving up, but about focusing on what you can control and making every day count.
Peters, who has worked with big names like Steven Gerrard and Ronnie O'Sullivan, helped Hoy to reframe his mindset. "What Chris did when he was presented with this illness is he said: 'Right, what's the plan?' After we worked through the initial stages of the shock and grief of it, then he came out the other side and he picked up on the purpose."
That purpose now lies in raising awareness about prostate cancer and encouraging others to take control of their health. Hoy believes that every man over 45 should be screened for prostate cancer. He's not just doing this for himself, but for his father and grandfather who both suffered from it.
Hoy's response to the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation that a prostate screening programme wasn't justified has been met with criticism from some quarters. But Hoy is undeterred - "We're failing these men if we don't do something proactive."
In many ways, Hoy's journey is similar to his Olympic career. He found focus and determination in the face of adversity. And now, he's using that same mentality to fight for a cause that matters deeply to him.
"It's more important than riding bikes in anti-clockwise circles," Hoy said with a smile, highlighting the difference between competing at the top level and fighting for his life.