The Perpetual Learner

Why chasing every skill might actually slow your progression.

We’ve all heard the phrase “never stop learning,” and I’m a big believer in the power of ongoing growth - on the bike, in life, and everywhere in between. A core part of the Growth Mindset is believing that with effort, we can and will improve over time.

But there’s a flip side to that drive for constant development - something I call the Perpetual Learner Trap.

This happens when we fall so in love with the feeling of learning something new that we start chasing new skills, techniques, and strategies nonstop. Instead of mastering what we’ve already learned on an intellectual level, we’re constantly reaching for the next thing. The result? We rarely give ourselves the time or mileage to fully embed a skill and turn it into second nature.

Here’s what the process for real, embodied learning looks like:

1. Introduce the new skill.

2. Develop it through deep, focused practice.

3. Experiment with timing, intensity, and terrain.

4. Apply it consistently, until it shows up naturally—with Confidence, Control, and Consistency.

   
   

IDEA Skill Progression Credit: PMBIA

Perpetual learners tend to loop between steps 1 and 2 - constantly starting over, often ending up more confused than when they started. They’re overloaded with knowledge but under-experienced in execution.

It’s like an apprentice carpenter trying to carry every tool on their belt at once. Sure, those tools are all useful - but if you haven’t mastered them, having more doesn’t help. In fact, it slows you down. The better strategy? Carry a few key tools, master them deeply, and introduce new ones only when you’re ready.

I’ve had this exact conversation with coaches from Whistler to Queenstown. We see the same patterns - coaches trying to give their students everything, and riders asking for everything… all at once. The intention is good, but the results are underwhelming.

That’s why our coaching approach is different. Whether it’s our CX4 Coaching Program, Skills & Drills Rides, or what we share in the #PracticeWithPurpose channel inside our Mental About MTB Discord community, we keep things simple. One or two key concepts. Deep practice. Real terrain. Real speeds. Allowing time and space to experiment until the 3 C’s show up (Confidence, Control, and Consistency).

By the way, the 4th C is Community, and it's what keeps us motivated and inspired, even through the challenging moments.

If you haven’t experienced what Purposeful Practice feels like, now might be a great time to roll into our Free Discord Community and find out.

See you on the trails! - Jake