I hope that adventurous, ambitious, curious and optimistic people will enjoy my website.
I hope that it does not matter whether you climb mountains, run through deserts and canoe rapids or if you sit in a cafe and read and think and write.
I believe that experiences in extreme environments, and the lessons they teach, are valid and relevant in whatever world we live in.
The mission of my site?
Challenging Expeditions
Challenging Convention
Challenging Ourselves
This is a page of blog entries that I hope will give pause for thought, offer encouragement if you are hesitating, and prompt discussions.
You can’t start a fire without a spark. As well as the selections here you might also enjoy the Best Bits section of the blog.

- 25 metres to the next horizon
- The man in the arena
- Life is a journey full of infinite potential experiences
- In the shadow of the moon
- Control your destiny, or someone else will
- It makes you think
- Do any exemplary feats remain?
- An interesting interview for once
- The docking of the banana boat
- Morning running
- Share a load, hit the road
- Anything is possible in this world
One thing that regularly interests members of the audience at the talks I give is Why I do what I do.
There is no easy answer.
But I hope that some of these blog articles will give some ideas on the topic. I hope also that they might prompt thought, debate and motivation for you as well. Let me know!

- Why?
- Why – 2?
- Why – 3?
- Why – 4?
- Why – 5?
- What do you do all day?
- Geographical boundaries or human limits?
- A new beginning
- One wish: the sun and a morning run
- Standing out
- More fun and games in the Lake District
Finally, a few reflections on the bizarre appeal, and the benefits, of voluntary suffering.

- The extreme world of mountain marathons
- Some serious training
- The toughest races on Earth?
- Ultramarathon man
- Misery in a canoe. All good fun.
- Struggling for impetus
- Training: what’s the point? It really, really hurts…
- Hill-reps in Richmond Park
- How’s your training?
- A new training video
- Fitness is about living at your peak
If you have enjoyed this page you might be interested in my books or in subscribing to my blog’s RSS feed.
Finally, would you mind “re-tweeting” this page on Twitter? (Stupid word, I know, but pretty helpful for me. Thanks!) Just click the logo:
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