Why You’re Stuck: The 7 Hidden Walls Holding Racers Back And How to Break Through Each One

Most people think coaching is just about running drills, giving encouragement, or correcting body position.

But real coaching—transformational coaching—goes far deeper than that.

It’s about seeing the invisible blocks that hold a rider back. The blind spots they can’t see. The patterns they keep repeating without knowing why.

It’s about guiding them through a full journey—physically, mentally, and emotionally—until they don’t just ride better… they become better.

That’s why I leaned into psychology and neuroscience a long time ago.

Because motocross isn’t just physical—it’s deeply mental. And I knew the typical “just push harder” approach wasn’t enough.

I worked with sports psychologists when I was a racer. Some of it helped. But a lot of it missed the mark.

They didn’t understand motocross. They didn’t know what it felt like to sit on the line with your heart pounding through your chest… or feel your lap times drop off the harder you tried.

I do. I’ve lived it.

And that’s why what I teach now works—because it’s built from both experience and science.

The Truth Most Riders Don’t Realise:

Every rider is different.

Some need belief and to find confidence. Some need structure. Some lack key technical skills that are quietly holding them back or getting them injured. Some are fit—but totally unbalanced in their routine or mindset.

The danger is, they often follow advice from other riders—or even coaches—who haven’t experienced the same issues, and don’t know how to fix them.

That’s when things get worse.

Instead of gaining clarity, they get more confused. More lost. More frustrated.

That’s why no two riders get the same experience with me—because they’re not facing the same problems.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that most riders hit walls not because they aren’t trying—but because they don’t know which wall they’ve hit, or how to break through it.

Let me show you the 7 most common walls I see—and how to break each one.

1. The Terror Barrier (Mental Wall)

You’ve been progressing. Trying new things. Changing habits. Then suddenly—everything feels wrong. You lose confidence. You overthink. You question everything.

This is the wall that shows up right before a breakthrough. It’s your nervous system resisting change.

Symptoms:

• Feeling “off” or uncomfortable, despite improving

• Questioning the process

• Urge to quit or go back to old habits

How to Break It:

• Stick to your structure

• Track your thoughts and your progress

• Remind yourself: this discomfort is a signal of growth, not failure. The old version of you is trying to stay alive and 'comfortable.'

2. The Skills Gap (Technique Wall)

You’re putting in the work, but nothing’s changing. You keep crashing. You feel stiff. The flow isn’t there.

You’ve hit a ceiling—because something technical is off, and you can’t see it yourself.

Symptoms:

• Plateaued lap times

• Repeating the same errors or crashes

• Confusion despite effort

How to Break It:

• Get expert eyes on your riding

• Focus on the root problem, not the symptoms

• Don’t just run drills—understand what they’re fixing

3. The Physical Wall (Fitness & Mobility)

You train hard… but it’s not showing on the bike. You fade too early. You can’t hold good form. Your body isn’t moving right.

Often, the issue isn’t lack of effort—it’s training the wrong way.

Symptoms:

• Can’t get into correct positions

• Fade late in motos

• Constant soreness or injuries

How to Break It:

• Test your mobility, endurance, and moto-specific conditioning

• Know your metrics

• Ditch generic workouts and train for the sport

• Build a strong strength and movement foundation

• Prioritise movement quality over volume

4. The Emotional Wall (Burnout & Disconnect)

You’ve lost the spark. You still show up—but something’s missing. You feel like you’re forcing it. The love’s not there anymore.

This wall often shows up after a long grind, or when racing becomes about pressure instead of purpose.

Symptoms:

• Low motivation

• Resentment toward racing or training

• Emotional crashes after bad results

How to Break It:

• Reconnect to your reason for riding

• Create space to reset and reflect

• Build a healthier relationship with your process and results

• Focus on the opportunity not the obligation.

5. The Environment Wall (Support & Setup)

You’re outgrowing the environment around you. You’re trying to level up—but the people, tracks, or structure is holding you back.

You feel like the only one pushing for more.

Symptoms:

• Stuck in the same cycle

• Lack of challenge or accountability

• Feeling unsupported or misunderstood

How to Break It:

• Get around people who reflect the level you want to reach

• Invest in better training environments

• Step away from comfort zones that are keeping you small

6. The Identity Wall (Self-Belief & Confidence)

You’re improving… but you don’t see yourself as elite yet. You hesitate. You play small. You crumble under pressure.

Your subconscious doesn’t believe you belong at the top—so you hold yourself back, often without realising it.

Symptoms:

• Good pace in practice, but not in races

• Struggling in high-pressure moments

• Inner voice constantly criticising or comparing

• Making excuses out of fear of judgment or criticism

Note: In some riders, especially those with highly critical past influences (like an over-critical parent), excuses aren’t ego-driven—they’re a form of self-protection. It’s not about arrogance. It’s about fear. They’ve learned to avoid critique by explaining things away before it arrives. At the core? A fragile identity and a deep need for safety.

How to Break It:

• Shift your internal identity through repetition, exposure, and self-image work

• Surround yourself with people who see your potential and hold you accountable (not enable excuses)

• Act in alignment with the rider you’re becoming—not who you used to be

7. The Ego Wall (Uncoachable Mindset)

You’re stuck, but won’t admit it. You dismiss feedback. You think you already know what to do—but you’re not doing it.

This is one of the hardest walls to break… because it’s invisible to the rider until reality forces a wake-up call.

Symptoms:

• Selective hearing (“I know that already”)

• Defensiveness when challenged

• Blaming external factors for lack of progress

• Frequent excuses that protect the ego

• Avoiding responsibility by blaming bike, track, or luck

• A pattern of justification instead of correction

How to Break It:

• Let go of pride and choose growth over comfort

• Be willing to hear hard truths

• Stay coachable—even when it stings

Final Thoughts:

Every rider hits walls. But not every rider understands them—and even fewer have what it takes to break through.

And that’s the difference between those who progress—and those who stay stuck, blaming things that aren’t the real issue.

These seven walls show up at different times, in different ways. But if you know what to look for—and have the right coaching behind you—you can move through all of them.

That’s what real progress looks like. And that’s why I coach the way I do.

If you’re ready to go beyond the surface and finally break through whatever’s been holding you back—reach out.

Let’s figure out which wall you’ve hit. And how we’ll tear it down.