Three stories as to why goals should be personal
Goals & dreams don't have to be the biggest, longest, most guelling to be captivating + this week's recommendations
When I first started this newsletter, my first fear was how on earth am I going to find enough good content for weekly editions. That fear was quickly quashed (and replaced with many others) as things always crop up, and people often contact me with tip-offs, challenges they’re doing, and fundraising efforts.
Although I can’t share every single one, I don’t get tired of hearing about them.
In the sport & outdoor world, it can seem like everyone is always working towards something epic, but it’s good to stick your head out of the bubble every now and then and see that it’s just the circles we move in.
The challenges don’t have to be the biggest, longest, or most gruelling to be captivating or heartwarming. Sometimes it’s just about the story or the personality behind it, and watching someone achieve the objective.
In my weightlifting days, our coach would pick up on the use of the word ‘only’ in reference to kilograms. It was about being aware of quantifying our achievements in comparison to others. For example, lifting “only 60kg” diminishes that number for someone else — one person’s warm-up is another one’s maximum rep — and it’s not always big numbers that are impressive.
I’ve carried this ethos with me across different sports. Goals and challenges should be personal to the individual and what they’re capable of - there’s a reason it’s called a personal challenge.
One person’s Bob Graham is another person’s sprint triathlon, and so on; the distances and numbers mean nothing until you gather the context and story behind it.
Which brings me on to three challenges I want to share…
England to the summit of Mt Everest
Last week, 27-year-old ex-Royal Marine Mitch Hutchcraft achieved the dream he’d had since age 18 and summited Mount Everest after 13,157km of swimming, cycling, running & hiking, and 236 days, making it the longest ascent of the mountain.
I spoke to Mitch before he set off in September last year, and what stuck with me from our interview (you can read here) was that he is an everyday guy, like you and me - swimming does not come naturally to him, yet he worked hard to get himself to a position to cross the English Channel.
Despite the national press interest and videographers with him, the project wasn’t about making a name for himself as an adventurer. It was purely about fulfilling a personal goal and an idea he had to get there, and social media was just a means to raise money.
“I couldn't care less about the world record label attached to it,” he said. “It's not going to change much in my head and I'm not in it for fame or glory…
“I love adventure. I want to see how far I can push myself and I want to do it for me.”
Hutchcraft is back in the UK, and no doubt you’ll see and hear interviews with him across TV, radio and print in the national press.
National Three Peaks
Walt Sulaman-Evans, a 14-year-old adventurer, is taking on the National Three Peaks within 24 hours with his mum, Yasmin, at the end of May.
Walt is raising funds and championing animal welfare for IAPWA as a youth ambassador. He is also keen to encourage other people his age to get outside: “I want to inspire others my age to take on big goals, and if I can do this, maybe they’ll believe they can do something amazing too,” he said.
On the chosen animal charity, he said: “Sometimes, adults accept things the way they are, but kids question them—we notice when something isn’t right and want to change it. Maybe people listen to us more because we speak from the heart and don’t over-complicate or overthink things.”
You can follow Walt & donate to the cause on his Instagram.
TRI-M - 1,000km triathlon challenge
Daryl Green, an army veteran turned firefighter and performance coach, is taking on a 1,000km triathlon challenge from June 6. The aim is to complete all three legs in under 10 days:
Swim 15km in a double crossing of the Solent (there and back), between the Isle of Wight and mainland Britain
Cycle 700km from the south coast to Robin Hood’s Bay
Run 300km coast-to-coast to St Bees in Cumbria, via Scafell Pike.
Daryl is no stranger to triathlons and endurance challenges. He says they have helped him improve his awareness and perspective on life and share experiences with those he loves, and clients he coaches.
“My challenges are to inspire you, show you what you're capable of, and to ensure you remain curious and try new things.
“I want to lead by example, and I shall continue to do that.”
You can follow the journey here and donate.
More recommendations
This week, Michelle Rothwell has set off on what she dubbed the Shelly Rothwell Round. It includes a 10.5-mile swim across Windermere, cycling the Fred Whitton route and running the Bob Graham Round.
Rothwell named the challenge after realising there are none named after women. There appears to be a minority of people who have previously completed the three events consecutively.The effect of emotional overload and stress on physical performance - The Running Granny
Amputee runner Jacky Hunt-Broersma made history by running The Speed Project, a 340-mile running race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
“This is more than just a race, it’s an opportunity to show that with determination, anything is possible,” she said “Being the first amputee to run this solo is both an honor and a responsibility, and I gave it everything I had.”
I had the pleasure of speaking to Jacky a few years ago for a story after she broke the record for 104 marathons in 104 days, she was great fun to interview.Scotland's most remote railway adventure - BBC.
Really inspiring read well done.
Really great read. All these amazing and interesting people. Reinforces the fact that there are more altruistic and thoroughly decent people about than we all realise.