Chasing Dreams in Europe: Lessons with Fitness From Africa

For most sports fans, elite athletics is all about the glory. It's about the medals, national records, and podium moments. For the athletes living it day-to-day though, the journey is far more layered. They often have to deal with homesickness, funding struggles, tactical mistakes, health setbacks, and those rare, electric breakthroughs.

This year, Marcel Viljoen, owner of Fitness From Africa (FFA) Coaching and World Athletics accredited athlete representative, spent two months on the road in Europe with a squad of athletes from South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, and beyond. His reflections offer a candid look at the grit, faith, and resilience required to thrive at the highest level of sport and the lessons that reach far beyond the track.

Life on the Road: The Athlete’s Reality

For 20-year-old sprinter Precious Molepo, her first European season was a crash course in chasing dreams abroad. Beyond the track sessions, she faced cultural adjustments, language barriers, homesickness, and health challenges. Guidance and perspective helped her find her stride by securing a podium finish in Italy and a silver medal in the 4x400m mixed relay at the World University Games in Germany.

Marcel grounds young athletes like Precious with advice inspired by Roger Federer:

“Find enjoyment in what you do; make friends; and find things that bring happiness at each new venue you go to.”

Comebacks, Setbacks, and Second Chances

For Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno, the trip marked a second chance after serving a two-year ban for a supplement-related violation. Though he didn't have the legal funding to prove his innocence, Marcel believes deeply in redemption.

“Every athlete deserves a second chance by not just to proving themselves, but to get back on the path to achieve at the very highest level that was interrupted by circumstances beyond their control.”

There’s also Nikithemba, a long jumper whose career has been interrupted repeatedly by injuries. His story isn’t defined by setbacks, but by his determination to address the underlying issues and build a stronger foundation for the future.

As Marcel puts it:

“Injuries can be valuable in identifying weak areas. Along with the disappointment comes the opportunity to address them so that they never hold you back again.”

The Breakthrough Moments

Despite the hurdles, there were also unforgettable highs.

• Mamadou, from Senegal, lit up the track with a blistering 10.03 seconds in the 100m which is a new national record that propelled him into elite Silver Label meetings.
  
  

• Mondray, who narrowly missed out on winning ASA Seniors earlier this year, bounced back in Europe to claim a bronze medal at the World University Games.
  
  

For Marcel, these moments prove a simple truth:

“Consistency, hard work, belief, and enjoyment of the process despite setbacks is what leads to breakthroughs. Last-minute breakthroughs are better than no breakthroughs.”

Faith, Humility, and the Bigger Picture

Beyond medals and times, Marcel keeps his athletes anchored in faith and humility.

“Talent is a gift from above. We don’t receive it in full bloom and it’s up to us to develop it fully and use it as a platform. The problem comes when we misunderstand our talents and start worshipping the platform instead of applying it.”

He often draws on wisdom from role models like Federer, as well as scripture:

• On Federer: “His career wasn’t built on smooth sailing but on setbacks, mistakes, and guidance from great people around him. I was privileged to be able to bear witness to this since I was very much entrenched in sport already when he appeared on the scene. ”
  
  

• On the Bible: “Books like Ecclesiastes and Proverbs are rich with wisdom for life and sport. They remind us that challenges are part of the journey, and that guidance is always available if we seek it.”
  
  

At the heart of his philosophy is a Lombardi quote he loves to share:

“Relentlessly pursue perfection knowing we won’t catch it, but in the process we’ll achieve excellence.”

Final Reflections

From Marseille to Belgrade, from record-breaking sprints to quiet reflections in hotel rooms, this European tour has been a masterclass in grit, grace, and growth.

For Marcel and his athletes, the season isn’t over. But perhaps the greatest victories are not the medals collected, but the life lessons gained by showing resilience in the face of setbacks, joy in the process, and the humility to see talent as a gift meant to be developed, not worshipped.

At the end of the day, the real race isn’t just on the track. It’s in the daily pursuit of becoming better, stronger, and more grounded human beings.