{"id":69924,"date":"2024-09-30T11:01:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T09:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=69924"},"modified":"2024-09-30T12:02:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T10:02:51","slug":"riding-into-the-unexpectedwhat-the-trail-teaches-about-financial-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/riding-into-the-unexpectedwhat-the-trail-teaches-about-financial-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Riding into the unexpected: What the trail teaches about financial planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the title sponsor of the Old Mutual go2berg<\/strong> mountain bike race, Old Mutual <\/a>supports the thrill of the ride and the values of preparation and perseverance. The six-day, 530-kilometre race began on September 13th in Frankfurt, Free State, and winds through Reitz and Clarens, ending in the Drakensberg at Champagne Sports Resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On route, we caught up with Henno Senekal, Distribution Marketing Manager at Old Mutual Personal Finance, competing for the first time. As he pushed through the course, Henno reflected on how his training and preparation for the race closely mirror the importance of being ready for life\u2019s unexpected challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Riders on route during stage 3 of the 2024 Old Mutual go2berg<\/a>. Image by Stew Nolan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Well done on getting this far, Henno! How has the experience been?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible but also tougher than expected. The atmosphere is electric, and the camaraderie among riders is amazing. My preparation and training have paid off to an extent, but there have been moments when the trail threw things at me that I couldn\u2019t have anticipated. You can prepare as much as possible, but there will always be unexpected elements that surprise you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us a bit more about these surprises. How did you overcome them and how do you think that applies to other areas of life?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


\u201cJust like go2berg, you can plan down to the smallest detail \u2013 train hard, study the route, pack all the right gear \u2013 but when you’re out there, you quickly realise that life doesn\u2019t always follow the plan. There will always be things you didn\u2019t account for \u2013 from unexpected headwinds to tricky terrains and everything in-between.
\u201cIt\u2019s similar when considering how we protect ourselves and our loved ones. You might feel like you\u2019ve covered all your bases, but life can still surprise you with a sudden change in circumstances. That\u2019s where having something like disability insurance makes all the difference. It gives you that extra layer of protection to help protect your family against the financial impact when life takes an unexpected turn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do you mention disability insurance specifically?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


\u201cBeing part of an event like this, you see how quickly things can change and it reminds you how important being prepared can be \u2013 on the trail and in day-to-day life. It\u2019s a great analogy of why disability insurance is important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You mentioned unforeseen elements. How do you handle those surprises on the trail, and how do you think that approach applies to life?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen something unexpected happens on the trail, whether it\u2019s a sudden change in weather or tougher terrain, you have to adapt quickly. Staying flexible, keeping calm, and relying on your training makes a huge difference.
\u201cIn life, it\u2019s similar. You can\u2019t always predict what\u2019s coming, but being prepared helps you respond more effectively. Having the right kind of insurance in place, like disability insurance, means that if something happens that affects your ability to earn an income, you\u2019re better prepared to handle the situation without it becoming a financial crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about unexpected events, how do you ensure you are protected in a way that makes sense for your specific needs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone\u2019s situation is different, so it\u2019s important to have protection that fits your personal circumstances. For instance, some people might only need short-term support after an injury, while others might require longer-term cover depending on the severity of the situation. The same applies to deciding between a monthly income, a lump sum or even both \u2013 it depends on your needs, your financial responsibilities and what\u2019s best for you. That\u2019s why the expertise of a financial adviser who understands your needs is crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the costs associated with living with a disability? How does that factor into your thinking?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something many people don\u2019t fully think through until they have to face it. When living with a disability your existing bills, plus potential new expenses, needs to be covered. That\u2019s where disability cover really steps in, helping you deal with the financial impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must have had a few surprising experiences on the trail. Can you share an example?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDefinitely. Just yesterday, I saw someone take a fall and damage their bike beyond repair. It happened in a split second, and suddenly, their race was over. That\u2019s when it really hit home for me; how quickly life can change. It\u2019s the same with our everyday lives. One accident can completely alter the course of things, which is why having the right cover is so important. You can\u2019t always stop something from happening, but you can make sure you\u2019re protected when it does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has been your biggest takeaway so far, personally and in terms of protection?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the biggest lesson is that while preparation is key, adaptability is just as important. You can\u2019t predict everything, but if you\u2019ve planned for the unexpected, you\u2019re in a much better position to handle whatever comes your way. Whether out on the trail or in life, it gives you the confidence to keep moving forward, knowing you\u2019ve got a safety net in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Henno\u2019s experience in the Old Mutual go2berg<\/strong> is a powerful reminder that no matter how much we prepare, life has a way of surprising us. Whether it is a sudden injury or an unexpected life event, having the right disability insurance ensures that you and your loved ones are protected against the financial implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Mutual\u2019s Disability insurance solutions are designed to offer customised protection, ensuring that you can get back up and keep moving forward, no matter what happens. Speak to a financial adviser today or visit www.ol<\/a>dmutual.co.za\/disability<\/a> to see how we can help you safeguard your financial future<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disclaimer:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and life insurer. Ts and Cs apply. The views expressed in this article do not constitute advice. Speak to an accredited adviser to learn more.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the title sponsor of the Old Mutual go2berg mountain bike race, Old Mutual supports the thrill of the ride and the values of preparation and perseverance. The six-day, 530-kilometre race began on September 13th in Frankfurt, Free State, and winds through Reitz and Clarens, ending in the Drakensberg at Champagne Sports Resort. On route, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":69665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5329],"tags":[17,1305],"featured_location":[337],"class_list":["post-69924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sponsored","tag-old-mutual","tag-old-mutual-joberg2c","featured_location-top-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69924"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69939,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69924\/revisions\/69939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69924"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=69924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}