Mark Colbourne MBE is a distinguished former world and Paralympic gold medal cyclist hailing from Wales, Great Britain
Renowned for his remarkable achievements at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Mark’s journey in elite cycling captured the hearts of many. Since retiring from competitive cycling in 2014, Mark has established himself as a globally acclaimed public speaker and a highly sought-after coach, specialising in elite cycling, leadership, and resilience.
Now based in Dubai, Mark continues to share his expertise through bespoke cycling training programs, both online and face-to-face, including corporate team-building days on the world-famous Al Qudra cycling track. His commitment to excellence, elite mindset, and ‘never give up’ attitude are the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy, empowering individuals and teams to overcome challenges and achieve their personal best.
Education UAE: What does motivation mean to you, and how can it be fostered in children and young adults pursuing sports?
Mark Colbourne: Motivation, to me, comes in many forms, and it must include a state of positive change. For children, it must include fun and can certainly be a motivator, as can happiness. However, motivation must have a reward of some kind for everyone, and in sport, the reward must be in taking part, not just winning, as the uncertainty of winning or not is what excites us.
Education UAE: In your experience, what role does ambition play in a young athlete’s journey towards achieving their goals?
Mark Colbourne: Ambition is critical in any young person’s goals. However, educating someone that they have to accept the outcome can be daunting in some circumstances, as not winning can be seen as a failure, but giving 100% is the true victory and being proud of giving your best.
Education UAE: Can you share some practical tips on how young athletes can cultivate enthusiasm for their chosen sports discipline?
Mark Colbourne: My first tip would be to understand how the body and brain work in harmony together. Truly ask yourself, ‘Why do you want to do this sport?’ Know your why and evaluate the reasons for wanting to commit 100%, and ensure you master all the aspects that go with the sport: diet, hydration, sleep, rest, fun, and staying positive in all areas.
Education UAE: What do you believe are the key elements that define talent, and how can young people identify their own talents in sports?
Mark Colbourne: Firstly, it is important to recognise that we are never the finished article, and all good things take time. Spotting a glimpse of brilliance in someone needs careful management if they are keen to succeed. Additionally, being coachable is a key factor for most successful Olympic medallists.
Education UAE: How can experiences of failure and setbacks contribute to a young person’s development and drive to succeed in sports and life?
Mark Colbourne: This needs to be taught to young people, so they understand that it is okay to fail, as everyone fails at something, but not trying is an even bigger failure. Giving your best effort is all you can do, and for self-development, it is good to learn to accept your best, even if you are not the best.
Education UAE: As someone who has achieved great success as a Paralympic cyclist, what advice would you give to young athletes struggling to reach their goals?
Mark Colbourne: Do not compare yourself to others, but learn from what they have done and aim to repeat it, just do it better. A goal can be set without actually evaluating if you have the skills and capability to reach it. A simple test is to ask your best friend if they think you are good enough to win or strong enough to lose.
Education UAE: What role do parents and mentors play in motivating children to pursue sporting excellence?
Mark Colbourne: Parents need to learn the elite sports psychology around how to motivate children through features and benefits. The majority of children enjoy movement or exercise when they are young but often become lazy when they realise relaxing is an option. However, staying in the comfort zone can be detrimental to our health and overall metabolism, leading to a negative mindset and poor behaviour.
Education UAE: How important is it for young athletes to set both short-term and long-term goals, and how can they effectively do this?
Mark Colbourne: It is important to set realistic short-term goals but also to learn how to focus on the process, not the outcome, which is the long-term goal. Additionally, understand that along the way, change will always happen, and when it does, it is okay to reset the plan to accommodate the process.
Education UAE: Can you share a story or example of what has inspired you or others to overcome challenges in pursuit of their goals?
Mark Colbourne: My personal story, which inspired me to overcome challenges in pursuit of my goal, was when my late father passed away a day before the World Track Championships in Los Angeles in February 2012. I knew my dad was not coming back, and I wanted to ensure I never had any regrets about not racing, so I could prove to my mum and my daughter that I was strong enough to win. As any good man can become a great man, but not every great man can become a good man.