so it was in the middle of the night pitch pitch black and in those
pitch pitch black and in those
pitch pitch black and in those situations where the moon and the stars
situations where the moon and the stars
situations where the moon and the stars are completely covered by thick clouds
are completely covered by thick clouds
are completely covered by thick clouds we’ve got nothing that we can see apart
we’ve got nothing that we can see apart
we’ve got nothing that we can see apart from what I had like our head torches
from what I had like our head torches
from what I had like our head torches are shining through but we’re in the
are shining through but we’re in the
are shining through but we’re in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and when
middle of the Pacific Ocean and when
middle of the Pacific Ocean and when you’re in that scenario out by ourselves
you’re in that scenario out by ourselves
you’re in that scenario out by ourselves just four of us on a boat two of us out
just four of us on a boat two of us out
just four of us on a boat two of us out on the oars and it’s pitch pitch black
on the oars and it’s pitch pitch black
on the oars and it’s pitch pitch black you can’t see the waves coming towards
you can’t see the waves coming towards
you can’t see the waves coming towards you you can’t see the 40-foot waves that
you you can’t see the 40-foot waves that
you you can’t see the 40-foot waves that are twice the size of this room towering
are twice the size of this room towering
are twice the size of this room towering above you until the last minute when all
above you until the last minute when all
above you until the last minute when all you can see is this wall of water about
you can see is this wall of water about
you can see is this wall of water about to crash on top of you and you suddenly
to crash on top of you and you suddenly
to crash on top of you and you suddenly get that adrenaline that that pit of
get that adrenaline that that pit of
get that adrenaline that that pit of your stomach where you first second you
your stomach where you first second you
your stomach where you first second you you hold your breath because you don’t
you hold your breath because you don’t
you hold your breath because you don’t know if this is the wave that’s gonna
know if this is the wave that’s gonna
know if this is the wave that’s gonna throw you off your seat and throw you
throw you off your seat and throw you
throw you off your seat and throw you into the middle of the Pacific Ocean
into the middle of the Pacific Ocean
into the middle of the Pacific Ocean it’s the one thing that as an ocean
it’s the one thing that as an ocean
it’s the one thing that as an ocean rower you’re always so scared about
rower you’re always so scared about
rower you’re always so scared about being thrown overboard and being lost at
being thrown overboard and being lost at
being thrown overboard and being lost at sea and thankfully that didn’t happen so
sea and thankfully that didn’t happen so
sea and thankfully that didn’t happen so I’m talking to you today but it’s one of
I’m talking to you today but it’s one of
I’m talking to you today but it’s one of my biggest fears was one of my biggest
my biggest fears was one of my biggest
my biggest fears was one of my biggest fears cuz I don’t plan to run ocean ever
fears cuz I don’t plan to run ocean ever
fears cuz I don’t plan to run ocean ever again in my life but that being said
again in my life but that being said
again in my life but that being said what we set out to do was to set two
what we set out to do was to set two
what we set out to do was to set two World Records being the first all-female
World Records being the first all-female
World Records being the first all-female crew and the first ever Falls crew to
crew and the first ever Falls crew to
crew and the first ever Falls crew to row across the Pacific Ocean it took us
row across the Pacific Ocean it took us
row across the Pacific Ocean it took us two hundred and fifty seven days at sea
two hundred and fifty seven days at sea
two hundred and fifty seven days at sea we only thought it was going to take us
we only thought it was going to take us
we only thought it was going to take us about six months in end it took us nine
about six months in end it took us nine
about six months in end it took us nine months and during that time we went
months and during that time we went
months and during that time we went through a huge amount of ups and downs
through a huge amount of ups and downs
through a huge amount of ups and downs but the biggest one that I would start
but the biggest one that I would start
but the biggest one that I would start off with is actually just ten days in
off with is actually just ten days in
off with is actually just ten days in ten days into 257 days at sea and I face
ten days into 257 days at sea and I face
ten days into 257 days at sea and I face the biggest barrier I had out of the
the biggest barrier I had out of the
the biggest barrier I had out of the whole trip ten days in we were 500 miles
whole trip ten days in we were 500 miles
whole trip ten days in we were 500 miles offshore and 500 miles offshore during
offshore and 500 miles offshore during
offshore and 500 miles offshore during that time we’d already experienced two
that time we’d already experienced two
that time we’d already experienced two massive tropical storms and as I said
massive tropical storms and as I said
massive tropical storms and as I said four 40-foot waves they even the
four 40-foot waves they even the
four 40-foot waves they even the corniche coastline in a force nine gale
corniche coastline in a force nine gale
corniche coastline in a force nine gale couldn’t prepare me for and during that
couldn’t prepare me for and during that
couldn’t prepare me for and during that time I had ten days solidly of
time I had ten days solidly of
time I had ten days solidly of seasickness where I couldn’t keep food
seasickness where I couldn’t keep food
seasickness where I couldn’t keep food down I couldn’t keep
down I couldn’t keep
down I couldn’t keep two down and each time I just had to
two down and each time I just had to
two down and each time I just had to keep getting back up and getting on the
keep getting back up and getting on the
keep getting back up and getting on the oars during that time we got thrown off
oars during that time we got thrown off
oars during that time we got thrown off our seats and to top it all off at ten
our seats and to top it all off at ten
our seats and to top it all off at ten days just ten days into this trip I went
days just ten days into this trip I went
days just ten days into this trip I went and checked the hatches and where the
and checked the hatches and where the
and checked the hatches and where the batteries were kept it was full of water
batteries were kept it was full of water
batteries were kept it was full of water and for most of you I’m sure you’re
and for most of you I’m sure you’re
and for most of you I’m sure you’re aware water electricity don’t really mix
aware water electricity don’t really mix
aware water electricity don’t really mix too well and certainly when you’re out
too well and certainly when you’re out
too well and certainly when you’re out in the middle of the Pacific with no
in the middle of the Pacific with no
in the middle of the Pacific with no other support the last thing you want is
other support the last thing you want is
other support the last thing you want is to then have a small fire on the boat
to then have a small fire on the boat
to then have a small fire on the boat and that’s exactly what we were faced
and that’s exactly what we were faced
and that’s exactly what we were faced with ten days in now the thing is you
with ten days in now the thing is you
with ten days in now the thing is you might think that you know come on you
might think that you know come on you
might think that you know come on you can get through that you’re only ten
can get through that you’re only ten
can get through that you’re only ten days into this journey but the problem
days into this journey but the problem
days into this journey but the problem for me was that I wasn’t just ten days
for me was that I wasn’t just ten days
for me was that I wasn’t just ten days in I was four years and ten days into
in I was four years and ten days into
in I was four years and ten days into this trip I’d actually overcome a huge
this trip I’d actually overcome a huge
this trip I’d actually overcome a huge amount of barriers just to get to the
amount of barriers just to get to the
amount of barriers just to get to the start line and that’s often what you
start line and that’s often what you
start line and that’s often what you don’t see in expeditions it’s getting to
don’t see in expeditions it’s getting to
don’t see in expeditions it’s getting to the start line is one of the biggest
the start line is one of the biggest
the start line is one of the biggest barriers you sometimes have to face
barriers you sometimes have to face
barriers you sometimes have to face especially in expeditions I thought I
especially in expeditions I thought I
especially in expeditions I thought I was naive enough to think I would get
was naive enough to think I would get
was naive enough to think I would get this row off the ground in just a year I
this row off the ground in just a year I
this row off the ground in just a year I thought wow how hard can it be I’ve just
thought wow how hard can it be I’ve just
thought wow how hard can it be I’ve just got to learn to row because I wasn’t a
got to learn to row because I wasn’t a
got to learn to row because I wasn’t a rower I’ve just got to get fit I’ve got
rower I’ve just got to get fit I’ve got
rower I’ve just got to get fit I’ve got to eat a lot because I need to put on
to eat a lot because I need to put on
to eat a lot because I need to put on thirty percent body fat and at the end
thirty percent body fat and at the end
thirty percent body fat and at the end of the day I need to just find 250 grand
of the day I need to just find 250 grand
of the day I need to just find 250 grand from a sponsor and build a boat I can’t
from a sponsor and build a boat I can’t
from a sponsor and build a boat I can’t be that difficult commit but you know
be that difficult commit but you know
be that difficult commit but you know what all of these were completely new
what all of these were completely new
what all of these were completely new things to me though and I wanted to be
things to me though and I wanted to be
things to me though and I wanted to be put myself into that position to see
put myself into that position to see
put myself into that position to see actually can you whatever age you are
actually can you whatever age you are
actually can you whatever age you are can you adapt to any given situation if
can you adapt to any given situation if
can you adapt to any given situation if you’ve got an open mind can you learn
you’ve got an open mind can you learn
you’ve got an open mind can you learn new skills could I learn to actually set
new skills could I learn to actually set
new skills could I learn to actually set up a business in the end can I learn to
up a business in the end can I learn to
up a business in the end can I learn to put a team together can I overcome these
put a team together can I overcome these
put a team together can I overcome these barriers I was faced with and in the end
barriers I was faced with and in the end
barriers I was faced with and in the end it took four years it took three years
it took four years it took three years
it took four years it took three years of postponements each year after year
of postponements each year after year
of postponements each year after year not knowing it was going to happen it
not knowing it was going to happen it
not knowing it was going to happen it took a number of sponsors turning me
took a number of sponsors turning me
took a number of sponsors turning me down and that sense of failure when I
down and that sense of failure when I
down and that sense of failure when I walked away and I didn’t have the two
walked away and I didn’t have the two
walked away and I didn’t have the two hundred fifty thousand pound budget it
hundred fifty thousand pound budget it
hundred fifty thousand pound budget it took over eight crew members to come and
took over eight crew members to come and
took over eight crew members to come and go and then finally for me to find my
go and then finally for me to find my
go and then finally for me to find my team that I could work with and that
team that I could work with and that
team that I could work with and that made this a successful journey but those
made this a successful journey but those
made this a successful journey but those barriers that I continued to overcome
barriers that I continued to overcome
barriers that I continued to overcome and constant people saying to me you
and constant people saying to me you
and constant people saying to me you know what Laura it’s not working out
know what Laura it’s not working out
know what Laura it’s not working out really you know if you thought about
really you know if you thought about
really you know if you thought about just
just
just this in but in the pit of my stomach I
this in but in the pit of my stomach I
this in but in the pit of my stomach I knew that one day there was gonna be a
knew that one day there was gonna be a
knew that one day there was gonna be a team of four women at some point in my
team of four women at some point in my
team of four women at some point in my life that would achieve this would
life that would achieve this would
life that would achieve this would achieve rowing across the ocean and I
achieve rowing across the ocean and I
achieve rowing across the ocean and I kept on saying to myself why why can’t I
kept on saying to myself why why can’t I
kept on saying to myself why why can’t I make this work and because I asked
make this work and because I asked
make this work and because I asked myself that question constantly and that
myself that question constantly and that
myself that question constantly and that was my goal I set out to I had to adapt
was my goal I set out to I had to adapt
was my goal I set out to I had to adapt each year that I’ve postponed it I had
each year that I’ve postponed it I had
each year that I’ve postponed it I had to think well that didn’t work this time
to think well that didn’t work this time
to think well that didn’t work this time so what can I do differently to make it
so what can I do differently to make it
so what can I do differently to make it work next time and that didn’t work so
work next time and that didn’t work so
work next time and that didn’t work so what else can I do what skills can I
what else can I do what skills can I
what else can I do what skills can I learn and so fast forward to those ten
learn and so fast forward to those ten
learn and so fast forward to those ten days in and I’m bobbing around in the
days in and I’m bobbing around in the
days in and I’m bobbing around in the ocean and at this point I’m thinking to
ocean and at this point I’m thinking to
ocean and at this point I’m thinking to myself you know it’s just the first time
myself you know it’s just the first time
myself you know it’s just the first time I’ve got a sense of doubt this is the
I’ve got a sense of doubt this is the
I’ve got a sense of doubt this is the first time out of this whole four year
first time out of this whole four year
first time out of this whole four year and ten days sort of thing that I
and ten days sort of thing that I
and ten days sort of thing that I actually think you know what maybe the
actually think you know what maybe the
actually think you know what maybe the odds are starting to stack up against me
odds are starting to stack up against me
odds are starting to stack up against me maybe I should really consider that this
maybe I should really consider that this
maybe I should really consider that this isn’t going to happen are we gonna have
isn’t going to happen are we gonna have
isn’t going to happen are we gonna have to give up because at the end of the day
to give up because at the end of the day
to give up because at the end of the day you know we had flooding on the boat and
you know we had flooding on the boat and
you know we had flooding on the boat and we had a fire on the boat so those were
we had a fire on the boat so those were
we had a fire on the boat so those were pretty big things to warrant that we
pretty big things to warrant that we
pretty big things to warrant that we would have to pull the pin but at the
would have to pull the pin but at the
would have to pull the pin but at the end of day nobody was there to help us
end of day nobody was there to help us
end of day nobody was there to help us we had to sort ourselves out so we had
we had to sort ourselves out so we had
we had to sort ourselves out so we had to decide where we gonna continue
to decide where we gonna continue
to decide where we gonna continue forwards rowing in the dark not a no way
forwards rowing in the dark not a no way
forwards rowing in the dark not a no way of communicating back home no way of
of communicating back home no way of
of communicating back home no way of sort of telling other ships that we were
sort of telling other ships that we were
sort of telling other ships that we were there was that the safest of options we
there was that the safest of options we
there was that the safest of options we still had two thousand miles to go to
still had two thousand miles to go to
still had two thousand miles to go to get to Hawaii and so we did make the
get to Hawaii and so we did make the
get to Hawaii and so we did make the decision that we were going to turn back
decision that we were going to turn back
decision that we were going to turn back into land but then we had the decision
into land but then we had the decision
into land but then we had the decision of well is that it do we turn back in
of well is that it do we turn back in
of well is that it do we turn back in row another five hundred miles to Santa
row another five hundred miles to Santa
row another five hundred miles to Santa Barbara and we just get off the boat and
Barbara and we just get off the boat and
Barbara and we just get off the boat and then we call it quits or do we fix the
then we call it quits or do we fix the
then we call it quits or do we fix the boat get back in the boat rear oh that
boat get back in the boat rear oh that
boat get back in the boat rear oh that 500 miles and get started again and that
500 miles and get started again and that
500 miles and get started again and that was the position that I was in and in
was the position that I was in and in
was the position that I was in and in essence you know what decision would you
essence you know what decision would you
essence you know what decision would you make this isn’t 10 days in this is four
make this isn’t 10 days in this is four
make this isn’t 10 days in this is four years and ten days would you have given
years and ten days would you have given
years and ten days would you have given up at that point we did get back in that
up at that point we did get back in that
up at that point we did get back in that boat thankfully and I’m so glad that we
boat thankfully and I’m so glad that we
boat thankfully and I’m so glad that we did and we overcame that hurdle but
did and we overcame that hurdle but
did and we overcame that hurdle but people asked me how did I overcome that
people asked me how did I overcome that
people asked me how did I overcome that what was it that changed my mind from
what was it that changed my mind from
what was it that changed my mind from that sense of doubt and there are a
that sense of doubt and there are a
that sense of doubt and there are a number of reasons having worked with a
number of reasons having worked with a
number of reasons having worked with a sports psychologist for a number of
sports psychologist for a number of
sports psychologist for a number of years he’s very much taught me to
years he’s very much taught me to
years he’s very much taught me to control the controllables when things
control the controllables when things
control the controllables when things are taken out of your control
are taken out of your control
are taken out of your control nothing you can do about it if you’ve
nothing you can do about it if you’ve
nothing you can do about it if you’ve controlled and you’ve done everything in
controlled and you’ve done everything in
controlled and you’ve done everything in your power in your best to be able to
your power in your best to be able to
your power in your best to be able to achieve what you set out to achieve and
achieve what you set out to achieve and
achieve what you set out to achieve and something still happens it’s out of your
something still happens it’s out of your
something still happens it’s out of your control with him fair enough you can
control with him fair enough you can
control with him fair enough you can never leave yourself with that question
never leave yourself with that question
never leave yourself with that question of well what if I had actually done this
of well what if I had actually done this
of well what if I had actually done this what if I had seen it from a different
what if I had seen it from a different
what if I had seen it from a different way you don’t leave yourself with that
way you don’t leave yourself with that
way you don’t leave yourself with that question of what if and he taught me
question of what if and he taught me
question of what if and he taught me that you need to adapt in different
that you need to adapt in different
that you need to adapt in different scenarios when you finally do see that
scenarios when you finally do see that
scenarios when you finally do see that that’s your new pathway adapt to that
that’s your new pathway adapt to that
that’s your new pathway adapt to that new pathway and make it your own and
new pathway and make it your own and
new pathway and make it your own and enjoy that journey and to be honest with
enjoy that journey and to be honest with
enjoy that journey and to be honest with this that turned me around because we
this that turned me around because we
this that turned me around because we were part of a team and I had a group of
were part of a team and I had a group of
were part of a team and I had a group of girls around me that actually they
girls around me that actually they
girls around me that actually they helped me to see that instead of see in
helped me to see that instead of see in
helped me to see that instead of see in that first 10 days as a big disaster we
that first 10 days as a big disaster we
that first 10 days as a big disaster we actually ended up seeing it is well
actually ended up seeing it is well
actually ended up seeing it is well that’s just given us the best experience
that’s just given us the best experience
that’s just given us the best experience ever so when we restart from Santa
ever so when we restart from Santa
ever so when we restart from Santa Barbara we’re now experienced rowers
Barbara we’re now experienced rowers
Barbara we’re now experienced rowers what else can the ocean throw at us
what else can the ocean throw at us
what else can the ocean throw at us although it did still throw some other
although it did still throw some other
although it did still throw some other things our way but that being said we
things our way but that being said we
things our way but that being said we were able to then be a bit more prepared
were able to then be a bit more prepared
were able to then be a bit more prepared and a bit more understanding of what
and a bit more understanding of what
and a bit more understanding of what difficulties we were gonna face and
difficulties we were gonna face and
difficulties we were gonna face and suddenly you feel a lot more relaxed
suddenly you feel a lot more relaxed
suddenly you feel a lot more relaxed because we thrown ourselves into the
because we thrown ourselves into the
because we thrown ourselves into the unknown now coming back to that team
unknown now coming back to that team
unknown now coming back to that team scenario what if I was out there as a
scenario what if I was out there as a
scenario what if I was out there as a soloist would I have actually made that
soloist would I have actually made that
soloist would I have actually made that decision to get back in the boat I don’t
decision to get back in the boat I don’t
decision to get back in the boat I don’t know to be perfectly honest until you’re
know to be perfectly honest until you’re
know to be perfectly honest until you’re in that situation you don’t know any of
in that situation you don’t know any of
in that situation you don’t know any of us what we would do and what you choose
us what we would do and what you choose
us what we would do and what you choose to do but what I do know is I’ve just
to do but what I do know is I’ve just
to do but what I do know is I’ve just returned from having supported Marc
returned from having supported Marc
returned from having supported Marc Beaumont who was a solo cyclist having
Beaumont who was a solo cyclist having
Beaumont who was a solo cyclist having cycled around the world and he’s just
cycled around the world and he’s just
cycled around the world and he’s just set the world record for having cycled
set the world record for having cycled
set the world record for having cycled around the world 18,000 miles in less
around the world 18,000 miles in less
around the world 18,000 miles in less than 80 days he overcame a huge amount
than 80 days he overcame a huge amount
than 80 days he overcame a huge amount of barriers of people saying it’s not
of barriers of people saying it’s not
of barriers of people saying it’s not possible there’s no way you’re gonna be
possible there’s no way you’re gonna be
possible there’s no way you’re gonna be able to psych around the world in 80
able to psych around the world in 80
able to psych around the world in 80 days there’s no way you’re going to be
days there’s no way you’re going to be
days there’s no way you’re going to be able to cycle 240 miles a day 16 hours a
able to cycle 240 miles a day 16 hours a
able to cycle 240 miles a day 16 hours a day in that saddle how is your body
day in that saddle how is your body
day in that saddle how is your body gonna hold up to that how are you
gonna hold up to that how are you
gonna hold up to that how are you mentally gonna be able to hold up that
mentally gonna be able to hold up that
mentally gonna be able to hold up that it’s not possible it’s not been done
it’s not possible it’s not been done
it’s not possible it’s not been done before so don’t even bother trying he
before so don’t even bother trying he
before so don’t even bother trying he didn’t believe that he’s a solo cyclist
didn’t believe that he’s a solo cyclist
didn’t believe that he’s a solo cyclist that has been a solo cyclist for his
that has been a solo cyclist for his
that has been a solo cyclist for his whole life since the age of 12 he cycled
whole life since the age of 12 he cycled
whole life since the age of 12 he cycled across Scotland late teens he psych with
across Scotland late teens he psych with
across Scotland late teens he psych with the length of Britain early twenties he
the length of Britain early twenties he
the length of Britain early twenties he cycled around the world
cycled around the world
cycled around the world our soloist and set the record back then
our soloist and set the record back then
our soloist and set the record back then and then going on from that he’s like
and then going on from that he’s like
and then going on from that he’s like with the length of Americas he cycled
with the length of Americas he cycled
with the length of Americas he cycled the length of Africa second setting the
the length of Africa second setting the
the length of Africa second setting the world record for that all of this was
world record for that all of this was
world record for that all of this was building up to the point of building his
building up to the point of building his
building up to the point of building his belief his confidence so that when he
belief his confidence so that when he
belief his confidence so that when he did decide to cycle around the world in
did decide to cycle around the world in
did decide to cycle around the world in the fastest way possible finally with a
the fastest way possible finally with a
the fastest way possible finally with a support team with me behind him trying
support team with me behind him trying
support team with me behind him trying to help him physically to adapt the
to help him physically to adapt the
to help him physically to adapt the sitting in that saddle for 16 hours a
sitting in that saddle for 16 hours a
sitting in that saddle for 16 hours a day
day
day he’d set himself up to achieve this goal
he’d set himself up to achieve this goal
he’d set himself up to achieve this goal and he had that strength and that belief
and he had that strength and that belief
and he had that strength and that belief that he would be able to do it against
that he would be able to do it against
that he would be able to do it against all odds and against what everybody else
all odds and against what everybody else
all odds and against what everybody else was saying to him but even he somebody
was saying to him but even he somebody
was saying to him but even he somebody it’s very resilient very strong even he
it’s very resilient very strong even he
it’s very resilient very strong even he had his ups and downs he had his
had his ups and downs he had his
had his ups and downs he had his barriers day9 was his hiccup just like
barriers day9 was his hiccup just like
barriers day9 was his hiccup just like as was on day ten day nine his whole
as was on day ten day nine his whole
as was on day ten day nine his whole project was nearly thrown away because
project was nearly thrown away because
project was nearly thrown away because he hit a pothole and when he hit that
he hit a pothole and when he hit that
he hit a pothole and when he hit that pothole he went flying forwards nothing
pothole he went flying forwards nothing
pothole he went flying forwards nothing we could do about it and he slammed his
we could do about it and he slammed his
we could do about it and he slammed his hand down in his head hit the hit the
hand down in his head hit the hit the
hand down in his head hit the hit the floor his face hit the floor he
floor his face hit the floor he
floor his face hit the floor he fractured his elbow at that point and he
fractured his elbow at that point and he
fractured his elbow at that point and he smashed his tooth and as a physio I
smashed his tooth and as a physio I
smashed his tooth and as a physio I suddenly had to do some dentistry work
suddenly had to do some dentistry work
suddenly had to do some dentistry work which definitely was an adaptation I had
which definitely was an adaptation I had
which definitely was an adaptation I had to do not what they teach you in
to do not what they teach you in
to do not what they teach you in university that’s for sure but for him
university that’s for sure but for him
university that’s for sure but for him you know he had to overcome that huge
you know he had to overcome that huge
you know he had to overcome that huge trauma that’s what’s just happened was
trauma that’s what’s just happened was
trauma that’s what’s just happened was he gonna start to question did he have
he gonna start to question did he have
he gonna start to question did he have senses of doubt am I going to be able to
senses of doubt am I going to be able to
senses of doubt am I going to be able to continue with this journey the
continue with this journey the
continue with this journey the sacrifices that he’s made the wife that
sacrifices that he’s made the wife that
sacrifices that he’s made the wife that he’s left at home with his two kids
he’s left at home with his two kids
he’s left at home with his two kids there the sponsors that have financially
there the sponsors that have financially
there the sponsors that have financially given him all the backing and the risk
given him all the backing and the risk
given him all the backing and the risk to allow him to do this journey was he
to allow him to do this journey was he
to allow him to do this journey was he about to turn that all in and say no not
about to turn that all in and say no not
about to turn that all in and say no not a chance
a chance
a chance unless I said to him that that elbow was
unless I said to him that that elbow was
unless I said to him that that elbow was fractured badly enough that he wouldn’t
fractured badly enough that he wouldn’t
fractured badly enough that he wouldn’t be safe to ride his bike he was going to
be safe to ride his bike he was going to
be safe to ride his bike he was going to continue and within 30 minutes he was
continue and within 30 minutes he was
continue and within 30 minutes he was back on that bike yes a bit shaken up
back on that bike yes a bit shaken up
back on that bike yes a bit shaken up yes in a lot of pain but he still
yes in a lot of pain but he still
yes in a lot of pain but he still cracked on and he overcame another two
cracked on and he overcame another two
cracked on and he overcame another two accidents he had three accidents over
accidents he had three accidents over
accidents he had three accidents over the course of the whole trip he had
the course of the whole trip he had
the course of the whole trip he had umpteen ups and downs from a mental
umpteen ups and downs from a mental
umpteen ups and downs from a mental perspective of what he had to overcome
perspective of what he had to overcome
perspective of what he had to overcome sickness chest infections all sorts of
sickness chest infections all sorts of
sickness chest infections all sorts of stuff but that was just physical it was
stuff but that was just physical it was
stuff but that was just physical it was the mental difficulties that he faced
the mental difficulties that he faced
the mental difficulties that he faced but he still adapted and he overcame
but he still adapted and he overcame
but he still adapted and he overcame now the thing with this is that both
now the thing with this is that both
now the thing with this is that both Marc’s expedition and my expedition of
Marc’s expedition and my expedition of
Marc’s expedition and my expedition of rowing the ocean we were there by choice
rowing the ocean we were there by choice
rowing the ocean we were there by choice we’d set ourselves this goal this plan
we’d set ourselves this goal this plan
we’d set ourselves this goal this plan we knew that we were going to have
we knew that we were going to have
we knew that we were going to have barriers to get there but the end of the
barriers to get there but the end of the
barriers to get there but the end of the day we have this goal that we wanted to
day we have this goal that we wanted to
day we have this goal that we wanted to get to and in life we all get thrown
get to and in life we all get thrown
get to and in life we all get thrown some barriers and some curveballs and
some barriers and some curveballs and
some barriers and some curveballs and unfortunately for some those can be
unfortunately for some those can be
unfortunately for some those can be bigger than others and those curveballs
bigger than others and those curveballs
bigger than others and those curveballs can be the very thing that really
can be the very thing that really
can be the very thing that really changes our whole life plan having
changes our whole life plan having
changes our whole life plan having worked in Paralympic sport for over ten
worked in Paralympic sport for over ten
worked in Paralympic sport for over ten years and worked in trauma as a
years and worked in trauma as a
years and worked in trauma as a physiotherapist I’ve seen unfortunately
physiotherapist I’ve seen unfortunately
physiotherapist I’ve seen unfortunately some people go through some severe
some people go through some severe
some people go through some severe adversity in their times through illness
adversity in their times through illness
adversity in their times through illness or injury but working in Paralympic
or injury but working in Paralympic
or injury but working in Paralympic sport it always made me question when I
sport it always made me question when I
sport it always made me question when I see people having like these two here
see people having like these two here
see people having like these two here you’ve got Dave Henson on the right who
you’ve got Dave Henson on the right who
you’ve got Dave Henson on the right who was blown up by a bomb when he was in
was blown up by a bomb when he was in
was blown up by a bomb when he was in the army he lost both of his legs and
the army he lost both of his legs and
the army he lost both of his legs and other severe injuries and then you’ve
other severe injuries and then you’ve
other severe injuries and then you’ve got talent a fella Cornishmen who
got talent a fella Cornishmen who
got talent a fella Cornishmen who unfortunately died motorbike accident
unfortunately died motorbike accident
unfortunately died motorbike accident and became paralyzed from the chest down
and became paralyzed from the chest down
and became paralyzed from the chest down Woods now has only got use of his arms
Woods now has only got use of his arms
Woods now has only got use of his arms and his head and neck now both of these
and his head and neck now both of these
and his head and neck now both of these have gone on to achieve amazing things
have gone on to achieve amazing things
have gone on to achieve amazing things both of Paralympians talent in Vancouver
both of Paralympians talent in Vancouver
both of Paralympians talent in Vancouver 2010 that you can see there and break
2010 that you can see there and break
2010 that you can see there and break with Dave I was in Rio this year now
with Dave I was in Rio this year now
with Dave I was in Rio this year now they could have woken up and I’m sure
they could have woken up and I’m sure
they could have woken up and I’m sure they still have these doubts but they
they still have these doubts but they
they still have these doubts but they could have woken up and chosen to give
could have woken up and chosen to give
could have woken up and chosen to give up in life but they didn’t they chose to
up in life but they didn’t they chose to
up in life but they didn’t they chose to make the most of it they chose that
make the most of it they chose that
make the most of it they chose that actually they were they were lucky to
actually they were they were lucky to
actually they were they were lucky to still be alive and for them they
still be alive and for them they
still be alive and for them they suddenly had to adapt to a new way of
suddenly had to adapt to a new way of
suddenly had to adapt to a new way of life it wasn’t what they had planned but
life it wasn’t what they had planned but
life it wasn’t what they had planned but this is what they’ve been given and
this is what they’ve been given and
this is what they’ve been given and they’re lucky to still be alive
they’re lucky to still be alive
they’re lucky to still be alive and for me working with those people
and for me working with those people
and for me working with those people that’s always made me question why do we
that’s always made me question why do we
that’s always made me question why do we have to wait for adversity to come to us
have to wait for adversity to come to us
have to wait for adversity to come to us to make us realize how lucky we are to
to make us realize how lucky we are to
to make us realize how lucky we are to make us realise what the opportunities
make us realise what the opportunities
make us realise what the opportunities we have to face why do we have to wait
we have to face why do we have to wait
we have to face why do we have to wait for that illness or injury to wake us up
for that illness or injury to wake us up
for that illness or injury to wake us up we all know those stories of when people
we all know those stories of when people
we all know those stories of when people are unfortunately given just 3-4 months
are unfortunately given just 3-4 months
are unfortunately given just 3-4 months to live and they suddenly think you know
to live and they suddenly think you know
to live and they suddenly think you know what I’m going to do all the things I
what I’m going to do all the things I
what I’m going to do all the things I wanted to do in the next three months
wanted to do in the next three months
wanted to do in the next three months why is it taken for them to
why is it taken for them to
why is it taken for them to unfortunately be given their diagnosis
unfortunately be given their diagnosis
unfortunately be given their diagnosis of cancer – to wake them up to say
of cancer – to wake them up to say
of cancer – to wake them up to say go and do what you want to do why do we
go and do what you want to do why do we
go and do what you want to do why do we not see that as healthy living be beings
not see that as healthy living be beings
not see that as healthy living be beings now why do we not challenge ourselves
now why do we not challenge ourselves
now why do we not challenge ourselves more why do we not adapt and open up our
more why do we not adapt and open up our
more why do we not adapt and open up our doors to the opportunities that we’re
doors to the opportunities that we’re
doors to the opportunities that we’re faced with and the thing that I see is
faced with and the thing that I see is
faced with and the thing that I see is that we’ve all got that skillset in us
that we’ve all got that skillset in us
that we’ve all got that skillset in us we are all able to be adaptable in any
we are all able to be adaptable in any
we are all able to be adaptable in any given situation I chose to row the ocean
given situation I chose to row the ocean
given situation I chose to row the ocean because I wanted to see at the age of 30
because I wanted to see at the age of 30
because I wanted to see at the age of 30 when I did it like what was I able to
when I did it like what was I able to
when I did it like what was I able to learn a new skill pick up new skills
learn a new skill pick up new skills
learn a new skill pick up new skills overcome things that completely out of
overcome things that completely out of
overcome things that completely out of my comfort zone could I be adaptable and
my comfort zone could I be adaptable and
my comfort zone could I be adaptable and is that the skill set that enabled me to
is that the skill set that enabled me to
is that the skill set that enabled me to do that the skill that I see across all
do that the skill that I see across all
do that the skill that I see across all of these guys was that it was
of these guys was that it was
of these guys was that it was adaptability that enables you to kind of
adaptability that enables you to kind of
adaptability that enables you to kind of be able to see things in a new light and
be able to see things in a new light and
be able to see things in a new light and that to me is like being able to adjust
that to me is like being able to adjust
that to me is like being able to adjust to those new conditions new situations
to those new conditions new situations
to those new conditions new situations whatever you want to see we’ve all got
whatever you want to see we’ve all got
whatever you want to see we’ve all got it in us because look at it this way I
it in us because look at it this way I
it in us because look at it this way I know friends of mine but you know they
know friends of mine but you know they
know friends of mine but you know they used to love eight hours of sleep a
used to love eight hours of sleep a
used to love eight hours of sleep a night they used to love doing what they
night they used to love doing what they
night they used to love doing what they wanted to do and yet they then are
wanted to do and yet they then are
wanted to do and yet they then are chosen to have a family they then had
chosen to have a family they then had
chosen to have a family they then had chosen to be in that situation and
chosen to be in that situation and
chosen to be in that situation and suddenly they’re now having to adapt to
suddenly they’re now having to adapt to
suddenly they’re now having to adapt to sleepless nights having to adapt to a
sleepless nights having to adapt to a
sleepless nights having to adapt to a life path that’s not about them it’s
life path that’s not about them it’s
life path that’s not about them it’s about their child but they’re still
about their child but they’re still
about their child but they’re still fully happy but they’ve naturally
fully happy but they’ve naturally
fully happy but they’ve naturally adapted because it’s a choice that they
adapted because it’s a choice that they
adapted because it’s a choice that they made so if we can be adaptable when we
made so if we can be adaptable when we
made so if we can be adaptable when we make our own choices why can we also not
make our own choices why can we also not
make our own choices why can we also not be adaptable when we get thrown a
be adaptable when we get thrown a
be adaptable when we get thrown a curveball because in essence
curveball because in essence
curveball because in essence adaptability is in our DNA we were born
adaptability is in our DNA we were born
adaptability is in our DNA we were born to be adaptable because actually our
to be adaptable because actually our
to be adaptable because actually our ancestry adapted to in order to survive
ancestry adapted to in order to survive
ancestry adapted to in order to survive but on top of that think of it this way
but on top of that think of it this way
but on top of that think of it this way it’s in our physiology as well we
it’s in our physiology as well we
it’s in our physiology as well we adapted when we get injections vaccines
adapted when we get injections vaccines
adapted when we get injections vaccines our body adapts to that vaccine it
our body adapts to that vaccine it
our body adapts to that vaccine it builds us antibodies we can adapt when
builds us antibodies we can adapt when
builds us antibodies we can adapt when we have a family we can build new
we have a family we can build new
we have a family we can build new pathways so it’s within us to be able to
pathways so it’s within us to be able to
pathways so it’s within us to be able to change our path to change where we’re
change our path to change where we’re
change our path to change where we’re going and for me what I would say is
going and for me what I would say is
going and for me what I would say is that you know it’s not about rowing an
that you know it’s not about rowing an
that you know it’s not about rowing an ocean it’s not about cycling the world
ocean it’s not about cycling the world
ocean it’s not about cycling the world in order for you to see what’s out there
in order for you to see what’s out there
in order for you to see what’s out there what’s available but I
what’s available but I
what’s available but I say to you is just ask yourself the
say to you is just ask yourself the
say to you is just ask yourself the question when you’re faced with those
question when you’re faced with those
question when you’re faced with those barriers instead of walking away just
barriers instead of walking away just
barriers instead of walking away just see other other ways around it other
see other other ways around it other
see other other ways around it other ways over it or through it
ways over it or through it
ways over it or through it have you made sure that there’s no stone
have you made sure that there’s no stone
have you made sure that there’s no stone that’s left unturned if you really given
that’s left unturned if you really given
that’s left unturned if you really given it your hundred percent could you say to
it your hundred percent could you say to
it your hundred percent could you say to yourself in a few years time you know
yourself in a few years time you know
yourself in a few years time you know what if only what if I take in that
what if only what if I take in that
what if only what if I take in that pathway or this pathway because if you
pathway or this pathway because if you
pathway or this pathway because if you rewind and at that point in time if you
rewind and at that point in time if you
rewind and at that point in time if you say to yourself okay what if this or
say to yourself okay what if this or
say to yourself okay what if this or what if that how are you what’s the one
what if that how are you what’s the one
what if that how are you what’s the one that you’re going to regret are you
that you’re going to regret are you
that you’re going to regret are you going to have any regrets because that
going to have any regrets because that
going to have any regrets because that to me is the key question never leave
to me is the key question never leave
to me is the key question never leave yourself with that question of what if
yourself with that question of what if
yourself with that question of what if so there’s three takeaway points for me
so there’s three takeaway points for me
so there’s three takeaway points for me one is that I’ve learnt from doing the
one is that I’ve learnt from doing the
one is that I’ve learnt from doing the row and seeing these people go through
row and seeing these people go through
row and seeing these people go through severe adversity is the key thing for me
severe adversity is the key thing for me
severe adversity is the key thing for me is don’t allow yourself to have a choice
is don’t allow yourself to have a choice
is don’t allow yourself to have a choice to give up don’t even put it on the
to give up don’t even put it on the
to give up don’t even put it on the table and when you are given that life
table and when you are given that life
table and when you are given that life pathway you face a barrier try
pathway you face a barrier try
pathway you face a barrier try adaptability see if you can see a way
adaptability see if you can see a way
adaptability see if you can see a way around it away over it different a
around it away over it different a
around it away over it different a different pathway and the third thing is
different pathway and the third thing is
different pathway and the third thing is never leave yourself with the question
never leave yourself with the question
never leave yourself with the question what if thank you very much
what if thank you very much
what if thank you very much [Applause]
”
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