What happens when you stop wrestling a motorcycle and start dancing with it? That single shift changed everything for our guest, Nieta De Young, who joins us from Ghent, Belgium to unpack how motorcycling, mindfulness, and daily practice can turn fear into focus and effort into flow. We trade stories about the “bike-dropping era,” the hard-won art of riding slow, and why presence behind the bars feels like stepping into a quiet room—even on a chaotic city street. Nieta takes us inside Belgium’s demanding path to a license—written tests, maneuver exams with lasers, and road riding that forces split-second decisions around medieval streets. Those constraints refined her craft and nudged her toward Zen, where she learned to meet herself honestly. On the bike, that honesty shows up as small, crucial choices: wave someone by, breathe through frustration, smooth a line instead of forcing it. We explore how weather helps too. As a daily rider in a rainy country, Nieta explains how wet roads sharpen throttle finesse and judgment, building a resilient mindset that carries into work, relationships, and the rest of life. Community threads through it all. From a peace sign on a mountain highway to rare but instant bonds among women who ride in Belgium, the shared language of helmets, hand signals, and risk creates quick trust. We also talk bike fit and reality—why her Suzuki SV650 is the right partner for city streets, and why comfort and control beat spec-sheet bragging rights. If you’re starting later, you’ll find practical encouragement: keep the healthy fear, invest in slow-speed drills, and let the motorcycle be a teacher of patience, kindness, and joy. Press play for a grounded conversation about skill, presence, and that simple moment when the engine clicks off and the world feels right. If the blend of Zen and riding resonates, share this with a friend, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Nieta's Mindfulness@IBM interview: https://on.soundcloud.com/9a1NNUe1Ba7SL9OOXA Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.
