Natalie Watson

Natalie Watson – Profile

“Just keep moving”

This is my personal motto and applies to so many areas of my life. Having served in the Defence Force for 20 years, I use this motto on a daily basis to help with the injuries and illnesses suffered as a result of my service. In more recent times I worked as a human behavioural specialist for a rescue helicopter service before medically retiring in 2019.

I’ve always considered myself to be an active person from little athletics as a kid, to running 100 mile endurance events and many other fun sports in between. I took up cycling to maintain some fitness when I had a running injury and I fell in love with it so much that I continue to ride 8 years later (and several new bikes).

The connections made through cycling have been a big part of my life and I have met some incredible people along the way. I often enjoy solo riding and use it as a time of reflection and self-motivation to just keep moving on a daily basis. This is something that I encourage my two sons to do as well and they have taken up their own sports as a way of staying fit and healthy.

Riding a bike has been a very restorative and healing journey so far that provides social, economic, physical and overall wellness benefits. Having a strong endurance background from running, I was drawn to the more challenging longer cycling events and I have completed several multiday charity rides of over 1000km.

Cycling has taken me to so many amazing places over the years including riding parts of the Tour de France with my partner to representing Australia at the World Duathlon Championships in Denmark. Combining my love of the bike with selected small charities is the perfect way for me to give back to the community and help raise awareness and funds in a meaningful way.