We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges. My health and fitness journey started when my eldest was born and I used challenges as my main source of motivation. Signing up to an event gives you a deadline, a purpose and I’m a man that if I sign up to something, only injury will stop me from completing it.

I’m currently going through a quiet spell fitness wise and I need a new challenge. After the success of the Aspire Channel Swim in 2017, Amy and I have decided to attempt the challenge again. Last year we were part of a relay team, this year we will be splitting the mileage (22 miles) between the two of us. I’m personally not a great swimmer (terrible in fact!) so I really did think long and hard about accepting this challenge.

The Charity

If you aren’t familiar with what the Aspire Channel Swim is all about, please read on. Aspire are a charity set-up to help those with spinal cord injuries. Every eight hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury and there is currently no cure! The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by falls, road traffic accidents and sporting injuries.

After leaving hospital, one in five spinal injury patients are forced to live in care homes for easy accessibility. This is commonly linked to 20-30% of people with spinal cord injury showing clinically significant signs of depression.

I’m really proud to be taking part in this challenge again this year. Hopefully we can all raise some awareness and funds for this fantastic charity.

20/20/60

My quiet spell in the gym is mainly due to time and DIY. I operate a 20/20/60 approach. That’s 20% Exercise, 20% Nutrition and 60% Mindset. I often train to how I feel too. Right now, I may look a 6/10 but I feel more like a 9/10. Rewind only a few months, I may have looked like an 8/10 but felt more like a 6/10. I hope that’s making sense! I’m at my happiest when I’m training three times a week, eating sensibly and clearing my head on those beach walks with my family. We are delighted to extend our partnership with David Lloyd Clubs recently so Amy and I will have the perfect place to do our swimming.

Join Us

The Aspire Channel Swim is open to anyone! Why not join us and give something back. It will be great fun and we’ll all get fitter and healthier at the same time. It’s a no brainer really! Unless you can’t swim of course. The challenge runs from the 10^th of September until the 3^rd of December so you have plenty of time to prepare and then complete the challenge in your own time. You can sign up here and please don’t forget to follow all the Aspire Channel Swim social media accounts.

When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger.