Former pro athlete Sean Feeney puts the drug-free Freedom Super Patch to the test during a grueling 7-day mountain bike stage race to manage the nagging aches and pains that sap energy and focus.
After my experience with the Victory patch, I was sold on the Super Patch technology. It gave me a real, measurable performance boost. So, when I had a 7-day cross-country mountain bike stage race coming up in British Columbia, I knew it was the perfect real-world testing ground for another part of my ‘performance cocktail’: the Freedom Super Patch.
Anyone who’s done a cross-country mountain bike stage race knows the deal. It’s a war of attrition. It’s usually not one big injury that takes you down; it’s the accumulation of small, nagging aches and pains. A sore shoulder, a tight forearm, an aching knee—they build up day after day. This kind of pain is a thief. It never gets debilitating enough to make you quit, but it nags on you endlessly, sapping your energy and your focus. It robs you of the joy of the ride, turning what should be a flow state on a beautiful single track into a grim exercise in pain management.
"Nagging pain is a thief. It steals your focus and ruins the experience you trained for. The Freedom patch didn't just quiet the noise in my body; it quieted the noise in my head, so I could focus on the race."
My goal for this race was to see if the Freedom patch could be the answer to that problem. I wanted to enjoy the flow of the trails and attack the challenging climbs and twisting and turning descents without that nagging pain stealing my joy.
The test began in earnest around Day 4. We were hitting some long, technical descents that, even on my full-suspension bike, were wreaking havoc on my left forearm. That burning ache started to affect my grip, which is a massive problem when you need to be in total control. During a flt stretch, I slapped a Freedom patch on my forearm. The relief was undeniable, allowing me to maintain a solid grip and ride the rest of the stage with confidence instead of hesitation.
Pain is a funny thing; it rarely picks just one spot. A day later, my shoulder started acting up from a long climb, so I put a patch there. It got to the point where on Day 6, I had four Freedom patches on at one time—forearm, knee, shoulder, and lower back. It’s a good thing I brought a whole pack for the 7-day stage race.
Pro Tip: For any multi-day event, pack more Freedom patches than you think you’ll need. You never know where the little aches will pop up, and being able to manage them on the spot is a huge advantage.
The Real Win: Staying Focused and Enjoying the Ride
This is the real win. The Freedom patch gave me the pain relief I needed to keep performing, but more importantly, it preserved my mental energy. By quieting those nagging pains, it allowed my mind to stay focused on the race—on picking the right line, on my nutrition, on the competition. I was able to fully enjoy the ride and compete at my best, ultimately finishing in 8th place.
The Final Test: Passing the Drug Test
In many pro or elite sports, there’s one final hurdle after you cross the finish line. The top competitors are often called in for drug testing. Sure enough, after placing 8th, I got the call. And while I had been wearing multiple Super Patches all week to manage pain and stay competitive, I had zero concern. These patches are 100% drug-free and all-natural, which means they are completely fine to use in competition. For any athlete who is subject to testing, that peace of mind is non-negotiable.
The Freedom Super Patch is an essential tool for any serious endurance athlete. It’s not about masking a major injury; it’s about managing the cumulative wear and tear of pushing your limits day after day. It’s the tool that keeps you focused, in the moment, and able to perform at your peak from the start line to the finish line.
What’s the most frustrating minor ache or pain that holds you back from your training? Share your story in the comments.
Stop letting minor aches and pains dictate your training schedule. See what the Freedom patch can do for you.
