I want you to imagine that you’re with me in the Sahara Desert so I want you to
me in the Sahara Desert so I want you to
me in the Sahara Desert so I want you to picture that in your mind I want you to
picture that in your mind I want you to
picture that in your mind I want you to imagine just how hot that is it is
imagine just how hot that is it is
imagine just how hot that is it is literally like opening an oven when
literally like opening an oven when
literally like opening an oven when you’re cooking a meal the heat just hits
you’re cooking a meal the heat just hits
you’re cooking a meal the heat just hits you and you go car I want you to imagine
you and you go car I want you to imagine
you and you go car I want you to imagine the as a helicopter goes over me
the as a helicopter goes over me
the as a helicopter goes over me sideways at about a hundred feet above
sideways at about a hundred feet above
sideways at about a hundred feet above me the reason I’m there is I’m in the
me the reason I’m there is I’m in the
me the reason I’m there is I’m in the toughest footrace on earth the marathon
toughest footrace on earth the marathon
toughest footrace on earth the marathon day Sabah it’s a 250 kilometres across
day Sabah it’s a 250 kilometres across
day Sabah it’s a 250 kilometres across the Sahara on foot and I’m carrying
the Sahara on foot and I’m carrying
the Sahara on foot and I’m carrying everything I need for me for the entire
everything I need for me for the entire
everything I need for me for the entire week in a rucksack on my back I’ve got
week in a rucksack on my back I’ve got
week in a rucksack on my back I’ve got goggles on I’ve got a mask up around my
goggles on I’ve got a mask up around my
goggles on I’ve got a mask up around my face keeping the dust and the sand out
face keeping the dust and the sand out
face keeping the dust and the sand out of my eyes and the wind can be up to 40
of my eyes and the wind can be up to 40
of my eyes and the wind can be up to 40 40 miles an hour while you’re trudging
40 miles an hour while you’re trudging
40 miles an hour while you’re trudging through the sound and through the jeans
through the sound and through the jeans
through the sound and through the jeans all around me while I’m smiling and
all around me while I’m smiling and
all around me while I’m smiling and working my way through the desert are
working my way through the desert are
working my way through the desert are other people in this race who are having
other people in this race who are having
other people in this race who are having a miserable time and in fact on the
a miserable time and in fact on the
a miserable time and in fact on the first day of that race a hundred people
first day of that race a hundred people
first day of that race a hundred people out of the thousand were timed out and
out of the thousand were timed out and
out of the thousand were timed out and didn’t make it to the last checkpoint
didn’t make it to the last checkpoint
didn’t make it to the last checkpoint there were people all around me who were
there were people all around me who were
there were people all around me who were over the edge and having a miserable
over the edge and having a miserable
over the edge and having a miserable time and yet through the middle of it
time and yet through the middle of it
time and yet through the middle of it was the non athlete smiling listening to
was the non athlete smiling listening to
was the non athlete smiling listening to john mayer on his headphones and i think
john mayer on his headphones and i think
john mayer on his headphones and i think i was eating chicken curry from a freeze
i was eating chicken curry from a freeze
i was eating chicken curry from a freeze dry bag during that race and since that
dry bag during that race and since that
dry bag during that race and since that race I’ve begun to get an idea of what
race I’ve begun to get an idea of what
race I’ve begun to get an idea of what it is sometimes that perhaps gives me
it is sometimes that perhaps gives me
it is sometimes that perhaps gives me the edge over other people when I do
the edge over other people when I do
the edge over other people when I do these kind of extreme events and so what
these kind of extreme events and so what
these kind of extreme events and so what I did was start to think about that
I did was start to think about that
I did was start to think about that during that marathon day solve the race
during that marathon day solve the race
during that marathon day solve the race and sins and that’s become a central
and sins and that’s become a central
and sins and that’s become a central idea which is something that I want to
idea which is something that I want to
idea which is something that I want to share with you today a lot of you when
share with you today a lot of you when
share with you today a lot of you when you think of over the edge a lot of
you think of over the edge a lot of
you think of over the edge a lot of people think of kind of epic pictures of
people think of kind of epic pictures of
people think of kind of epic pictures of people doing epic things so you might
people doing epic things so you might
people doing epic things so you might imagine me crossing a desert or as a
imagine me crossing a desert or as a
imagine me crossing a desert or as a diver somebody that would be diving on
diver somebody that would be diving on
diver somebody that would be diving on dives that I’ve done in Egypt where I
dives that I’ve done in Egypt where I
dives that I’ve done in Egypt where I might be three hours from the surface
might be three hours from the surface
might be three hours from the surface but the reality is that those moments
but the reality is that those moments
but the reality is that those moments those epic pictures those epic moments
those epic pictures those epic moments
those epic pictures those epic moments and those epic moments you see lots of
and those epic moments you see lots of
and those epic moments you see lots of people doing we’re not over the edge
people doing we’re not over the edge
people doing we’re not over the edge we’re anywhere but near the edge and the
we’re anywhere but near the edge and the
we’re anywhere but near the edge and the edge is actually a very very when you go
edge is actually a very very when you go
edge is actually a very very when you go over the edge it’s a very very ugly
over the edge it’s a very very ugly
over the edge it’s a very very ugly place to be I would have a slide to show
place to be I would have a slide to show
place to be I would have a slide to show you but unfortunately i don’t but over
you but unfortunately i don’t but over
you but unfortunately i don’t but over the edge is ugly it doesn’t often end
the edge is ugly it doesn’t often end
the edge is ugly it doesn’t often end well and it’s not glamorous so the idea
well and it’s not glamorous so the idea
well and it’s not glamorous so the idea that i started to form was what is it
that i started to form was what is it
that i started to form was what is it that i put together that means that
that i put together that means that
that i put together that means that often when I do these extreme events I
often when I do these extreme events I
often when I do these extreme events I don’t have a problem so I started to
don’t have a problem so I started to
don’t have a problem so I started to think about what it was that gave me an
think about what it was that gave me an
think about what it was that gave me an edge sometimes when I’m in these
edge sometimes when I’m in these
edge sometimes when I’m in these competitions were often with races with
competitions were often with races with
competitions were often with races with people that are much much better run as
people that are much much better run as
people that are much much better run as than I am and I realized that one of the
than I am and I realized that one of the
than I am and I realized that one of the things that I used to do was a series of
things that I used to do was a series of
things that I used to do was a series of control failures or controlled tests
control failures or controlled tests
control failures or controlled tests that allowed me to fail epicly sometimes
that allowed me to fail epicly sometimes
that allowed me to fail epicly sometimes in in hilarious ways but not when it
in in hilarious ways but not when it
in in hilarious ways but not when it really really counted and those little
really really counted and those little
really really counted and those little series of little tests and little
series of little tests and little
series of little tests and little failures and little problems meant that
failures and little problems meant that
failures and little problems meant that on those days when it really really
on those days when it really really
on those days when it really really counted those days when you have that
counted those days when you have that
counted those days when you have that little word with yourself just before
little word with yourself just before
little word with yourself just before you do something okay come on Evans this
you do something okay come on Evans this
you do something okay come on Evans this is it this is really important now don’t
is it this is really important now don’t
is it this is really important now don’t mess this up you absolutely nail it and
mess this up you absolutely nail it and
mess this up you absolutely nail it and you don’t have a problem if I take you
you don’t have a problem if I take you
you don’t have a problem if I take you back to a year before this race the the
back to a year before this race the the
back to a year before this race the the moments that I started doing these
moments that I started doing these
moments that I started doing these failures happened mainly in February and
failures happened mainly in February and
failures happened mainly in February and februari is a significant thing and I’ll
februari is a significant thing and I’ll
februari is a significant thing and I’ll explain why in a little bit but februari
explain why in a little bit but februari
explain why in a little bit but februari is just before when this desert races in
is just before when this desert races in
is just before when this desert races in april so i started doing lots of tests
april so i started doing lots of tests
april so i started doing lots of tests of kit and food and shoes and things
of kit and food and shoes and things
of kit and food and shoes and things went epically wrong I broke bags I broke
went epically wrong I broke bags I broke
went epically wrong I broke bags I broke trainers I broke every piece of kit you
trainers I broke every piece of kit you
trainers I broke every piece of kit you can think of my record was one hour 40
can think of my record was one hour 40
can think of my record was one hour 40 minutes before I broke a piece of sports
minutes before I broke a piece of sports
minutes before I broke a piece of sports Curt and testing and what Baquet what
Curt and testing and what Baquet what
Curt and testing and what Baquet what happen with that in my head was I
happen with that in my head was I
happen with that in my head was I started embracing what I started to call
started embracing what I started to call
started embracing what I started to call them at failure februari and that’s the
them at failure februari and that’s the
them at failure februari and that’s the that’s the message that I want to get
that’s the message that I want to get
that’s the message that I want to get across to you today is
across to you today is
across to you today is failure februari the good news is it
failure februari the good news is it
failure februari the good news is it doesn’t have to be in February and the
doesn’t have to be in February and the
doesn’t have to be in February and the failure is not necessarily a negative
failure is not necessarily a negative
failure is not necessarily a negative thing it’s actually a positive thing
thing it’s actually a positive thing
thing it’s actually a positive thing every time you have a minor failure in
every time you have a minor failure in
every time you have a minor failure in life you say okay well what did I learn
life you say okay well what did I learn
life you say okay well what did I learn from that and how can I avoid from that
from that and how can I avoid from that
from that and how can I avoid from that from happening again so I broke
from happening again so I broke
from happening again so I broke everything in training and I mean
everything in training and I mean
everything in training and I mean everything including myself I went out
everything including myself I went out
everything including myself I went out did nighttime runs ran into trees by
did nighttime runs ran into trees by
did nighttime runs ran into trees by mistake got a better torch as a result
mistake got a better torch as a result
mistake got a better torch as a result and so when I went out to the desert I
and so when I went out to the desert I
and so when I went out to the desert I was smiling and listening to john mayer
was smiling and listening to john mayer
was smiling and listening to john mayer on the headphones and having a pretty
on the headphones and having a pretty
on the headphones and having a pretty good time most of the time while people
good time most of the time while people
good time most of the time while people around me who hadn’t tested things who
around me who hadn’t tested things who
around me who hadn’t tested things who hadn’t embraced a failure februari
hadn’t embraced a failure februari
hadn’t embraced a failure februari concept had a pretty miserable time and
concept had a pretty miserable time and
concept had a pretty miserable time and it became apparent to me that you could
it became apparent to me that you could
it became apparent to me that you could actually see these people because
actually see these people because
actually see these people because they’re rucksack was completely clean
they’re rucksack was completely clean
they’re rucksack was completely clean their clothes were really good their
their clothes were really good their
their clothes were really good their trainers had hardly been running so they
trainers had hardly been running so they
trainers had hardly been running so they hadn’t tested anything so they weren’t
hadn’t tested anything so they weren’t
hadn’t tested anything so they weren’t giving themselves the best opportunity
giving themselves the best opportunity
giving themselves the best opportunity so when I got back from the desert when
so when I got back from the desert when
so when I got back from the desert when I finished and I did finish I’d survived
I finished and I did finish I’d survived
I finished and I did finish I’d survived I didn’t die in the desert and I was
I didn’t die in the desert and I was
I didn’t die in the desert and I was asked to be an administrator on a
asked to be an administrator on a
asked to be an administrator on a facebook group for desert runners and so
facebook group for desert runners and so
facebook group for desert runners and so I wrote a blog blog about failure
I wrote a blog blog about failure
I wrote a blog blog about failure februari and I put that on the internet
februari and I put that on the internet
februari and I put that on the internet and I directed some of the people from
and I directed some of the people from
and I directed some of the people from that group to go read it and what
that group to go read it and what
that group to go read it and what happened was brilliant about a week
happened was brilliant about a week
happened was brilliant about a week later my facebook feed filled up with
later my facebook feed filled up with
later my facebook feed filled up with hashtag failure februari and there were
hashtag failure februari and there were
hashtag failure februari and there were some glorious failures there was one
some glorious failures there was one
some glorious failures there was one there were two people that went out and
there were two people that went out and
there were two people that went out and got hypothermia basically and got taken
got hypothermia basically and got taken
got hypothermia basically and got taken they were picked up by their parents
they were picked up by their parents
they were picked up by their parents these are people that were like 40 years
these are people that were like 40 years
these are people that were like 40 years old their parents had to come out and
old their parents had to come out and
old their parents had to come out and rescued him from the south downs way
rescued him from the south downs way
rescued him from the south downs way there was one guy that posted a photo of
there was one guy that posted a photo of
there was one guy that posted a photo of his trainers he got them really wet on a
his trainers he got them really wet on a
his trainers he got them really wet on a two-day run and he put them on top of a
two-day run and he put them on top of a
two-day run and he put them on top of a radiator a really hot one to dry them
radiator a really hot one to dry them
radiator a really hot one to dry them and the inner soles to the side and he
and the inner soles to the side and he
and the inner soles to the side and he posted the picture the next day with a
posted the picture the next day with a
posted the picture the next day with a hashtag failure februari because the
hashtag failure februari because the
hashtag failure februari because the insoles have got super hot and it shrunk
insoles have got super hot and it shrunk
insoles have got super hot and it shrunk to about that big and he now had a 55
to about that big and he now had a 55
to about that big and he now had a 55 kilometers adieu that day with insoles
kilometers adieu that day with insoles
kilometers adieu that day with insoles that leo what was even funny it was and
that leo what was even funny it was and
that leo what was even funny it was and I would have put the slide up touche but
I would have put the slide up touche but
I would have put the slide up touche but that person was me oh we’re off okay so
that person was me oh we’re off okay so
that person was me oh we’re off okay so we’re going to just get ahead to where
we’re going to just get ahead to where
we’re going to just get ahead to where we should be okay that’s what over the
we should be okay that’s what over the
we should be okay that’s what over the edge looks like
edge looks like
edge looks like okay okay it’s not pretty I’m in the
okay okay it’s not pretty I’m in the
okay okay it’s not pretty I’m in the wrong clothes I’ve got far too hot I’ve
wrong clothes I’ve got far too hot I’ve
wrong clothes I’ve got far too hot I’ve actually got a fractured leg in that
actually got a fractured leg in that
actually got a fractured leg in that picture and but I carried on running for
picture and but I carried on running for
picture and but I carried on running for another 36 miles so my point earlier was
another 36 miles so my point earlier was
another 36 miles so my point earlier was about over the edge and how it looks so
about over the edge and how it looks so
about over the edge and how it looks so let me take you forward so this is my
let me take you forward so this is my
let me take you forward so this is my big idea and you can see it’s not very
big idea and you can see it’s not very
big idea and you can see it’s not very big this was just to recap very quickly
big this was just to recap very quickly
big this was just to recap very quickly this was my first failure februari this
this was my first failure februari this
this was my first failure februari this is me running in a heat chamber at
is me running in a heat chamber at
is me running in a heat chamber at Kingston University until I got so hot
Kingston University until I got so hot
Kingston University until I got so hot they pulled me out of the chamber I
they pulled me out of the chamber I
they pulled me out of the chamber I won’t tell you where they put the
won’t tell you where they put the
won’t tell you where they put the thermometer okay sad times and but you
thermometer okay sad times and but you
thermometer okay sad times and but you can see I’ve got pictures of broken bags
can see I’ve got pictures of broken bags
can see I’ve got pictures of broken bags broken trainers everything there I broke
broken trainers everything there I broke
broken trainers everything there I broke everything you see me tweeting sometimes
everything you see me tweeting sometimes
everything you see me tweeting sometimes quite annoyed at companies going I’ve
quite annoyed at companies going I’ve
quite annoyed at companies going I’ve had this bag for days it broke but the
had this bag for days it broke but the
had this bag for days it broke but the point was that bag didn’t break for me
point was that bag didn’t break for me
point was that bag didn’t break for me when I was in the desert when it was
when I was in the desert when it was
when I was in the desert when it was important that’s the blogger oh and this
important that’s the blogger oh and this
important that’s the blogger oh and this is pretty much where we are now so this
is pretty much where we are now so this
is pretty much where we are now so this is failure februari and this was
is failure februari and this was
is failure februari and this was suddenly my feed on facebook and in fact
suddenly my feed on facebook and in fact
suddenly my feed on facebook and in fact you can see I’ve protected the innocent
you can see I’ve protected the innocent
you can see I’ve protected the innocent there on the top right Lili is me and
there on the top right Lili is me and
there on the top right Lili is me and that’s my shoes with these cells half
that’s my shoes with these cells half
that’s my shoes with these cells half the size that they should be but the
the size that they should be but the
the size that they should be but the point is I won’t ever do that again and
point is I won’t ever do that again and
point is I won’t ever do that again and the other people here we’re talking
the other people here we’re talking
the other people here we’re talking about epic failures they’d had a
about epic failures they’d had a
about epic failures they’d had a miserable times and kit with a broken
miserable times and kit with a broken
miserable times and kit with a broken every single person in that group that
every single person in that group that
every single person in that group that was posting about failure februari got
was posting about failure februari got
was posting about failure februari got it they completely got it instead of
it they completely got it instead of
it they completely got it instead of being angry and upset of themselves and
being angry and upset of themselves and
being angry and upset of themselves and feeling like they’d failed they knew
feeling like they’d failed they knew
feeling like they’d failed they knew that every failure like that was a
that every failure like that was a
that every failure like that was a failure that wouldn’t occur when it
failure that wouldn’t occur when it
failure that wouldn’t occur when it counted okay couple of weeks ago I
counted okay couple of weeks ago I
counted okay couple of weeks ago I decided to broaden my horizons as a
decided to broaden my horizons as a
decided to broaden my horizons as a runner and I decided to do some obstacle
runner and I decided to do some obstacle
runner and I decided to do some obstacle course races being me rather than just
course races being me rather than just
course races being me rather than just looking for a nice easy one I did do a
looking for a nice easy one I did do a
looking for a nice easy one I did do a centre inflatable 5k but we’re not going
centre inflatable 5k but we’re not going
centre inflatable 5k but we’re not going to count that because that was just good
to count that because that was just good
to count that because that was just good fun I signed up for a thing called the
fun I signed up for a thing called the
fun I signed up for a thing called the nuts challenge in Dorking not far from
nuts challenge in Dorking not far from
nuts challenge in Dorking not far from here and it’s rated as the toughest
here and it’s rated as the toughest
here and it’s rated as the toughest obstacle course race in the UK so very
obstacle course race in the UK so very
obstacle course race in the UK so very typical me I thought you’re going to do
typical me I thought you’re going to do
typical me I thought you’re going to do a race do the hardest one um it’s eight
a race do the hardest one um it’s eight
a race do the hardest one um it’s eight hours it’s a slog through cold water it
hours it’s a slog through cold water it
hours it’s a slog through cold water it has 400 obstacles and the attrition rate
has 400 obstacles and the attrition rate
has 400 obstacles and the attrition rate is horrendous only about one in four one
is horrendous only about one in four one
is horrendous only about one in four one in five people that start it
in five people that start it
in five people that start it finish it so I only have a one in five
finish it so I only have a one in five
finish it so I only have a one in five chance of finishing this race and
chance of finishing this race and
chance of finishing this race and despite that I signed up what I did in
despite that I signed up what I did in
despite that I signed up what I did in February was embrace failure februari I
February was embrace failure februari I
February was embrace failure februari I sought out an army instructor who
sought out an army instructor who
sought out an army instructor who happens to pace very high on this course
happens to pace very high on this course
happens to pace very high on this course and knows this course like the back of
and knows this course like the back of
and knows this course like the back of his hand and I sort out private tuition
his hand and I sort out private tuition
his hand and I sort out private tuition with him with a small group of other
with him with a small group of other
with him with a small group of other people and I had some epic failure
people and I had some epic failure
people and I had some epic failure februari moments there’s an amazing
februari moments there’s an amazing
februari moments there’s an amazing video I’m not going to show you of me
video I’m not going to show you of me
video I’m not going to show you of me trying to tackle a nine foot wall for
trying to tackle a nine foot wall for
trying to tackle a nine foot wall for the first time and I literally bounced
the first time and I literally bounced
the first time and I literally bounced off it but two or three sessions later
off it but two or three sessions later
off it but two or three sessions later and flying over that wall because I know
and flying over that wall because I know
and flying over that wall because I know exactly how to do it there were these
exactly how to do it there were these
exactly how to do it there were these cargo nets that you climb up and at the
cargo nets that you climb up and at the
cargo nets that you climb up and at the top I’d be kind of wobbling over the top
top I’d be kind of wobbling over the top
top I’d be kind of wobbling over the top and then let myself down the other side
and then let myself down the other side
and then let myself down the other side and and this guy Michael would say no no
and and this guy Michael would say no no
and and this guy Michael would say no no put your hands here and forward roll
put your hands here and forward roll
put your hands here and forward roll over the top and the first time I said
over the top and the first time I said
over the top and the first time I said there’s no man I’m doing that but a
there’s no man I’m doing that but a
there’s no man I’m doing that but a couple of sessions later forward roll
couple of sessions later forward roll
couple of sessions later forward roll over the top super super quick two days
over the top super super quick two days
over the top super super quick two days before the event I met up with Michael
before the event I met up with Michael
before the event I met up with Michael and did one lap of the course in exactly
and did one lap of the course in exactly
and did one lap of the course in exactly the clothing I wanted to wear to keep me
the clothing I wanted to wear to keep me
the clothing I wanted to wear to keep me just warm enough but not so warm I
just warm enough but not so warm I
just warm enough but not so warm I couldn’t move very easily and it meant I
couldn’t move very easily and it meant I
couldn’t move very easily and it meant I knew the course exactly in my head so
knew the course exactly in my head so
knew the course exactly in my head so when I turned up two days later when the
when I turned up two days later when the
when I turned up two days later when the weather was atrocious I went out there
weather was atrocious I went out there
weather was atrocious I went out there and I was the best that I could be
and I was the best that I could be
and I was the best that I could be because of all the controlled failures
because of all the controlled failures
because of all the controlled failures I’d done prior to that I did the eight
I’d done prior to that I did the eight
I’d done prior to that I did the eight laps I actually qualified for the World
laps I actually qualified for the World
laps I actually qualified for the World obstacle course race championships in
obstacle course race championships in
obstacle course race championships in Canada by mistake and that wasn’t really
Canada by mistake and that wasn’t really
Canada by mistake and that wasn’t really my intention i just wanted to kind of
my intention i just wanted to kind of
my intention i just wanted to kind of have a go but my point was that fit of
have a go but my point was that fit of
have a go but my point was that fit of about 250 people that set out only about
about 250 people that set out only about
about 250 people that set out only about 60 was finished that course and i was
60 was finished that course and i was
60 was finished that course and i was one of them was it because I was the
one of them was it because I was the
one of them was it because I was the fittest probably not was it because I
fittest probably not was it because I
fittest probably not was it because I was a brilliant obstacle course racer
was a brilliant obstacle course racer
was a brilliant obstacle course racer knew but had I embraced failure febrian
knew but had I embraced failure febrian
knew but had I embraced failure febrian made every failure on the way absolutely
so this is all very well but most of you
so this is all very well but most of you guys I assume don’t do stupid long runs
guys I assume don’t do stupid long runs
guys I assume don’t do stupid long runs every weekend and disappear into the
every weekend and disappear into the
every weekend and disappear into the unknown so how is this relevant to you
unknown so how is this relevant to you
unknown so how is this relevant to you and my answer is that it’s very relevant
and my answer is that it’s very relevant
and my answer is that it’s very relevant to you and what I want to do is give you
to you and what I want to do is give you
to you and what I want to do is give you a couple of examples of how you can
a couple of examples of how you can
a couple of examples of how you can embrace failure februari
embrace failure februari
embrace failure februari if you’ve got that crucial job interview
if you’ve got that crucial job interview
if you’ve got that crucial job interview that you might be going for instead of
that you might be going for instead of
that you might be going for instead of doing a bit of a google search on the
doing a bit of a google search on the
doing a bit of a google search on the company and turning up and winging it
company and turning up and winging it
company and turning up and winging it what’s to stop you doing the route that
what’s to stop you doing the route that
what’s to stop you doing the route that you need to do to travel to get to that
you need to do to travel to get to that
you need to do to travel to get to that job interview checking that the parking
job interview checking that the parking
job interview checking that the parking is okay or that the tube or the train
is okay or that the tube or the train
is okay or that the tube or the train isn’t a nightmare so that you ensure
isn’t a nightmare so that you ensure
isn’t a nightmare so that you ensure you’re not going to turn up flustered
you’re not going to turn up flustered
you’re not going to turn up flustered what’s stopping you from ice being a
what’s stopping you from ice being a
what’s stopping you from ice being a little bit creepy and looking at the
little bit creepy and looking at the
little bit creepy and looking at the people coming going through the building
people coming going through the building
people coming going through the building and getting a gauge for how the people
and getting a gauge for how the people
and getting a gauge for how the people in that company dress so that you’re not
in that company dress so that you’re not
in that company dress so that you’re not overdressed or underdressed there’s lots
overdressed or underdressed there’s lots
overdressed or underdressed there’s lots of things you can do in advance to
of things you can do in advance to
of things you can do in advance to minimize the chances of things going
minimize the chances of things going
minimize the chances of things going wrong on that moment when it’s really
wrong on that moment when it’s really
wrong on that moment when it’s really important that it’s absolutely bang-on
important that it’s absolutely bang-on
important that it’s absolutely bang-on for you and you can argue that you could
for you and you can argue that you could
for you and you can argue that you could apply the same thing to that crucial
apply the same thing to that crucial
apply the same thing to that crucial first date that you want to do you know
first date that you want to do you know
first date that you want to do you know everybody’s got a story of a first date
everybody’s got a story of a first date
everybody’s got a story of a first date from hell that’s just gone to pieces but
from hell that’s just gone to pieces but
from hell that’s just gone to pieces but instead of booking somewhere and hoping
instead of booking somewhere and hoping
instead of booking somewhere and hoping everything goes okay there’s nothing
everything goes okay there’s nothing
everything goes okay there’s nothing wrong with going there the week before
wrong with going there the week before
wrong with going there the week before to a restaurant where you might meet
to a restaurant where you might meet
to a restaurant where you might meet somebody and find out that actually
somebody and find out that actually
somebody and find out that actually thursday nights is kids eat free night
thursday nights is kids eat free night
thursday nights is kids eat free night and there’s food halfway up the walls
and there’s food halfway up the walls
and there’s food halfway up the walls and actually you can’t hear it word that
and actually you can’t hear it word that
and actually you can’t hear it word that you’re saying or but the romantic table
you’re saying or but the romantic table
you’re saying or but the romantic table in the corner is actually by the door
in the corner is actually by the door
in the corner is actually by the door and the door opens and shuts and you get
and the door opens and shuts and you get
and the door opens and shuts and you get a cold blast of air every 20 seconds so
a cold blast of air every 20 seconds so
a cold blast of air every 20 seconds so you can embrace failure februari and all
you can embrace failure februari and all
you can embrace failure februari and all those things that you do there are
those things that you do there are
those things that you do there are challenges that you face during the day
challenges that you face during the day
challenges that you face during the day that are important if they’re that
that are important if they’re that
that are important if they’re that important you can embrace fail if every
important you can embrace fail if every
important you can embrace fail if every fire so we come forward to now and I
fire so we come forward to now and I
fire so we come forward to now and I just want to show you how I’ve still use
just want to show you how I’ve still use
just want to show you how I’ve still use of a leaf every now I’ve stupidly signed
of a leaf every now I’ve stupidly signed
of a leaf every now I’ve stupidly signed up for a 625 mile footrace continuous
up for a 625 mile footrace continuous
up for a 625 mile footrace continuous foot race this year through most of the
foot race this year through most of the
foot race this year through most of the you gay as far as I can tell it’s
you gay as far as I can tell it’s
you gay as far as I can tell it’s obviously quite tough because no one’s
obviously quite tough because no one’s
obviously quite tough because no one’s actually ever finished it so
actually ever finished it so
actually ever finished it so interestingly we get to februari again
interestingly we get to februari again
interestingly we get to februari again and because nobody’s ever finished it i
and because nobody’s ever finished it i
and because nobody’s ever finished it i started in February going out and
started in February going out and
started in February going out and running all the sections of the course
running all the sections of the course
running all the sections of the course it’s called the Monarchs way mnemonics
it’s called the Monarchs way mnemonics
it’s called the Monarchs way mnemonics way ultra so here’s the tweet of me
way ultra so here’s the tweet of me
way ultra so here’s the tweet of me you’ll notice it’s in February and I
you’ll notice it’s in February and I
you’ll notice it’s in February and I went out and did a 200 kilometer weekend
went out and did a 200 kilometer weekend
went out and did a 200 kilometer weekend self-supported sleeping in a bitty bag
self-supported sleeping in a bitty bag
self-supported sleeping in a bitty bag and i can tell you i had some epic fails
and i can tell you i had some epic fails
and i can tell you i had some epic fails on the way things went horribly wrong
on the way things went horribly wrong
on the way things went horribly wrong actually only made 150 kilometres
actually only made 150 kilometres
actually only made 150 kilometres therefore some of you might say well
therefore some of you might say well
therefore some of you might say well 150k still pretty good but for being it
150k still pretty good but for being it
150k still pretty good but for being it was a bit of a failure but i learned
was a bit of a failure but i learned
was a bit of a failure but i learned from the stuff that i learned out there
from the stuff that i learned out there
from the stuff that i learned out there now there are going to be guys on that
now there are going to be guys on that
now there are going to be guys on that race this year that a better runners the
race this year that a better runners the
race this year that a better runners the me that have been further with more
me that have been further with more
me that have been further with more experience but my failure February’s may
experience but my failure February’s may
experience but my failure February’s may just give me the edge maybe I’ll have
just give me the edge maybe I’ll have
just give me the edge maybe I’ll have record the entire route no one else on
record the entire route no one else on
record the entire route no one else on that race this year will have run the
that race this year will have run the
that race this year will have run the entire course there are epic numbers of
entire course there are epic numbers of
entire course there are epic numbers of areas where it’s difficult to navigate
areas where it’s difficult to navigate
areas where it’s difficult to navigate where you get lost I calculated that for
where you get lost I calculated that for
where you get lost I calculated that for every 10 hours that I was running I was
every 10 hours that I was running I was
every 10 hours that I was running I was making an hour and a half of mistakes
making an hour and a half of mistakes
making an hour and a half of mistakes and navigation that adds up to an entire
and navigation that adds up to an entire
and navigation that adds up to an entire day of the race lost that I won’t have
day of the race lost that I won’t have
day of the race lost that I won’t have when i do this race so as a
when i do this race so as a
when i do this race so as a self-confessed non-athlete i may well
self-confessed non-athlete i may well
self-confessed non-athlete i may well have given myself the edge over people
have given myself the edge over people
have given myself the edge over people that are much more experienced too much
that are much more experienced too much
that are much more experienced too much fitter than I am may also not come as a
fitter than I am may also not come as a
fitter than I am may also not come as a bit of a surprise for you that I embrace
bit of a surprise for you that I embrace
bit of a surprise for you that I embrace failure febri in other places so when I
failure febri in other places so when I
failure febri in other places so when I got asked about doing a TED talk the
got asked about doing a TED talk the
got asked about doing a TED talk the first thing that I did was download a
first thing that I did was download a
first thing that I did was download a book by the guy that created TED talks
book by the guy that created TED talks
book by the guy that created TED talks on how to do a TED talk and I emailed
on how to do a TED talk and I emailed
on how to do a TED talk and I emailed Sophie and said so if we just made me by
Sophie and said so if we just made me by
Sophie and said so if we just made me by the other people and I wanted to make
the other people and I wanted to make
the other people and I wanted to make sure that my my talk was as relevant as
sure that my my talk was as relevant as
sure that my my talk was as relevant as it could be on the day and in keeping
it could be on the day and in keeping
it could be on the day and in keeping with what some of the other people
with what some of the other people
with what some of the other people talking about I literally failure
talking about I literally failure
talking about I literally failure februari my own TED talk and you’re
februari my own TED talk and you’re
februari my own TED talk and you’re seeing the end result of that literally
seeing the end result of that literally
seeing the end result of that literally now this is me here yesterday the reason
now this is me here yesterday the reason
now this is me here yesterday the reason I tweeted this was to make a point to
I tweeted this was to make a point to
I tweeted this was to make a point to you guys about failure februari I even
you guys about failure februari I even
you guys about failure februari I even came and had a look at the venue
came and had a look at the venue
came and had a look at the venue yesterday so I knew exactly what to
yesterday so I knew exactly what to
yesterday so I knew exactly what to expect when I came here I knew for
expect when I came here I knew for
expect when I came here I knew for example that they were going to put a
example that they were going to put a
example that they were going to put a radio mic on me and I don’t normally
radio mic on me and I don’t normally
radio mic on me and I don’t normally were about so I’ve deliberately worn a
were about so I’ve deliberately worn a
were about so I’ve deliberately worn a belt today because I found out that I
belt today because I found out that I
belt today because I found out that I needed to it would appear i should have
needed to it would appear i should have
needed to it would appear i should have asked some questions about overhead
asked some questions about overhead
asked some questions about overhead power points and whoever you something
power points and whoever you something
power points and whoever you something but you know what i’m going to take
but you know what i’m going to take
but you know what i’m going to take today as a learning experience and the
today as a learning experience and the
today as a learning experience and the next time I do something I get to tell
next time I do something I get to tell
next time I do something I get to tell people about the time I did a TED talk
people about the time I did a TED talk
people about the time I did a TED talk and it all went wrong yeah so for me
and it all went wrong yeah so for me
and it all went wrong yeah so for me it’s another it’s a failure februari
it’s another it’s a failure februari
it’s another it’s a failure februari it’s just happens to be in march this
it’s just happens to be in march this
it’s just happens to be in march this time i guess my point is it’s fantastic
time i guess my point is it’s fantastic
time i guess my point is it’s fantastic showing you photos of me crossing the
showing you photos of me crossing the
showing you photos of me crossing the desert and telling you how amazing is I
desert and telling you how amazing is I
desert and telling you how amazing is I can easily tell you these great stories
can easily tell you these great stories
can easily tell you these great stories but what I really want to do is inspire
but what I really want to do is inspire
but what I really want to do is inspire you to go out and do amazing things but
you to go out and do amazing things but
you to go out and do amazing things but I want you to come back with both your
I want you to come back with both your
I want you to come back with both your legs yeah over the edges really
legs yeah over the edges really
legs yeah over the edges really it’s terrible and it won’t encourage you
it’s terrible and it won’t encourage you
it’s terrible and it won’t encourage you to go do stuff again I’d like you when
to go do stuff again I’d like you when
to go do stuff again I’d like you when you do these epic things and these
you do these epic things and these
you do these epic things and these exciting things and also these these
exciting things and also these these
exciting things and also these these things in your normal life that that can
things in your normal life that that can
things in your normal life that that can be a challenge I want you to be the best
be a challenge I want you to be the best
be a challenge I want you to be the best person you can be at those bits so I
person you can be at those bits so I
person you can be at those bits so I want you to embrace my little control
want you to embrace my little control
want you to embrace my little control failures and my failure februari concept
failures and my failure februari concept
failures and my failure februari concept so that you don’t go over the edge at
so that you don’t go over the edge at
so that you don’t go over the edge at the very moment that it counts thank you
the very moment that it counts thank you
the very moment that it counts thank you very much
very much
very much [Applause]
”
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