How Soon is Now - The Smiths

When you say it's gonna happen 'now', well, when exactly do you mean?

The first few days of the week are always special. You see, they are full of 'Success'. Well, 'Reflected Success' if I'm being honest, as it's a time when I hear tales of goals being beaten, pb's being smashed and excess-weight being simply melted away. And it's easy to shout long and hard about how brilliant it all is, but then there are always the times when there's an odd one out that stops you in your tracks and makes you think on.

Now, I'm the first one to admit I'm far from perfect and just as mortal as the next man. Yet I'm still feeling very numb about a person I spoke to only six weeks ago about the possibility of working together. Being less than 50 and overweight at 20st and having, suffered a first heart attack - I felt perfectly placed to help turn this person's life round and possibly help them enjoy a long future life of health and happiness. Whether I fitted their idea of a Lifestyle Coach or whether it was cost prohibitive - I will only ever have their word for it but I yesterday I heard this person had died in their sleep. 

Now, I'll never know if I could have made a difference but I hope it wouldn’t have played out the way it did - I'll never know. The only thing I will have is the text saying - 'I'll have to think about it', which is what I'm doing today, only thinking more - what if? 

I'm not sure if you'll understand where I'm coming from. Sad and Helpless doesn't even start to cut it. All I can say is that if you are thinking of reaching out, even if I'm not the right person, please do as 'Now' or even sooner...'Money shouldn't be an object'.

Amen.

1 Life - Live it...

Fight from the Inside - Queen

'70's Rock' today I'm afraid Darren Grittas, but a great track from Queen drummer Roger Taylor, whom according to Wiki not only wrote, sung and played drums on the track, but also played rhythm and bass guitars too. How cool is that?

Anyway, I like Roger believe that 'Fight' comes from the inside. If you've ever fought for your life or watched someone close to you fight for their's, then you'll know where I'm coming from. In my experience no one can 'Fight' for you, especially when it's a proper sink or swim moment and you're gasping for air and it feels like you're drowning.

Been there and got the T-Shirt.

Back then, I made a conscious decision to 'Fight' - 'Fight' for myself, the people around me and the things I believe in. Try it. You'll find it works wonders and is extremely empowering. All you need to do is to pluck up the courage and 'Fight'.

Amen

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

Sanctify Yourself - Simple Minds

'If you take one step closer, it'll lead to another' - Kerr

Just how determined are you? 

It’s a simple question with a very complex answer as it’s possible to cover all aspects of one's life in a simple YES/NO Tick Box, or list of adjectives or as a score ‘Out of Ten’. The dictionary definition of ’Determination‘ is ‘The quality of being determined; firmness of purpose’, with an interesting illustration of how to use, ‘Those who succeed because of sheer grit and determination’.

Interesting that Succeed and Determination are used together along with a good old dollop of 'Grit'.

I always ask Clients’ how much they want to achieve their goal - usually using the ‘Out of Ten’ method. I receive some 8s, lots of 9’s and a few 10’s but funnily seldom an 11. In reality I see their bandwidth more of a 3 to 9 as some can only provide lip service to their effort and the investment needed to achieve. The 10's are easy to spot. Over the years I’ve gained a sixth sense to other people’s level of determination.

Determination doesn’t mean that you have to succeed at all costs. But being driven, determined and focussed is actually a pretty sexy attribute. Let’s face it, we are more attracted to people we find exciting, different and determined.

It might be worth considering how you checkout on the ‘Determined Scale’ today, especially if you are in a period of self-change. How high are you scoring today?

Shall we try using the 'Out of 10 Method'?...

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultra-Marathon, 15 Marathon des Sables, 12/10 Determination

Different - Pendulum

It’s a great track and well worth a listen. I always feel pumped when I listen to Pendulum and this hit my iPod mid-run, mid-rain today. And it got me thinking…

Don't hide baby, let them see your true colours…

What is it that makes you different from all the rest? It’s a question I asked in this mornings in my ‘Quotebox’ too. I mean, just what is it, that sets you apart from everyone else on the planet. You see we are all unique - even twins have different fingerprints, yet we are programmed even at an early age to fit in with the crowd.

Don't mind the camera, let them see your black heart tonight… 

Personally, I’ve always been happy to stand out from the crowd and be different. It hasn’t made me any more likeable, in fact quite the opposite, but it does mean that I have my own opinion and I’m able to make up my own mind without feeling the need to please anyone else. I have complete freewill on that.

Don't hide baby, show them just how deep it goes…

And yes, I don’t feel I have to hide about who I am or what I do. Not many can say that. How deep it goes, well that’s to the bone and it always will be. If you’ve ever had a life threatening illness then you’ll know just how the world changes and how much your thoughts change towards situations or people that are simply wasting your time.

Don't mind the cameras, let them see your black heart baby…

Black Heart? Warm Heart I’d say. Well warm if you know me as what you see is what you get. Being different means that you can be more honest about yourself and more honest to other people - it cuts out a lot of the Professional BS that we are surrounded by every day of our lives. 

Time to toughen up perhaps, stick out from the crowd and say what you mean this week - what do you think?

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records, 15 Marathon des Sables

1 Very Different Person

Future's Bright - Richard Ashcroft

If you haven't seen the film Adjustment Bureau, then you've missed a 'Cinematic Classic IMHO. Matt Damon plays a brilliant Matt Damon with the beautiful Emily Blunt in tow. The film's soundtrack features the music of Thomas Newman and especially today's featured track 'Future's Bright' - co-written with Richard Ashcroft of 'The Verve' fame. 

Everywhere I look, I can see the faith...

Now, I've never been the biggest Ashcroft fan but the lyrics when read in full make amazing reading - real modern day poetry if that exists? They paint a wonderful bright outlook on life and the future. They also feel very personal somehow. I mean I can see and do see the 'Faith' in folk - every day. You see 'Faith' equals 'Hope' in my book and I see hope all around me, in everyone I meet. I mean we are all hoping aren't we? - we all have 'Faith'. It's just hidden away right deep down yet it's right in front of our eyes.

Reflecting back at me, and now I'm in this fate...

Although we can believe in 'Fate', or put things that happen to us down to 'Fate' - I believe we're able shape our own 'Future's' to a certain degree and feel that 'Fate' is more controllable that you imagine. When you look in the mirror and see your reflection looking back you, you don't only see yourself but you also see your surroundings. Where you are in that one moment, where your life-journey has taken you with your life to date etched into your features and reflected in line's around your eyes.

I'm shaking all the hands, I'm doing all the plan...

So try this...How about this weekend trying to let some light into your darkness. Draw some of the last of the Summer-Sun's rays deep inside and feel the 'Brightness' lighten up your world. There's nothing better than feeling good. After all, that's what we all yearn for isn't it? I also love the 'shaking hands reference'? Shaking someone's hand's a warm sign of welcome isn't it. A sign that says I'm not a threat. A sign that says I won't hurt you. It's kinda reassuring and as for the plan - well make one and follow it and that will also ignite your future. 

I guess I'm in control, and look how high it goes...

I feel I'm in control a lot of the time but are we ever fully in control? I seem to get tripped up by some unforeseen mishap when things are going well or trip myself up by being over-enthusiastic or misread. My current mission is to keep trying to reduce such occurrences and keep believing that the 'Future's Bright' - so bright that we'll need more than shades.

Amen

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

Show me a Reason - The Tubes

With my mind still thinking 1978, here’s another long forgotten band with some great tunes. The Tubes. I saw them at the peak of the 'Punk Rock Era' one night at the Hammersmith Odeon being supported by Squeeze of all bands. Anyway if you get a chance have a listen to their double live album 'What do you want from Live' and re-live part of my youth with me. The lyrics of the above track 'Show me a Reason' feel quite apt today as I continue with my mission of helping folk re-discover their love for life.

There was a time, there was a place

When all the good things in life disappeared, without a trace.

As they do – just as things are looking peachy too. Every time – for everyone as you will never live without life-challenges not only to your bank balance but to your health too.

You got yourself a deal, beg, borrow, or steal

Baby, heart and soul, I don't want to get old

And grab it with both hands as life-changing offers don’t come every day of the week. They could actually be a once-in-a-lifetime offer. One that you’d be mad to refuse or miss out on. One that doesn’t even need a reason or explanation – A complete ‘No-Brainer’.

I got a shot, I got a chance, to make it real to real this time.

So take it… while there’s still a chance – It’s a Totally Non-Risk Item.

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

Love too good - Jefferson Starship

Spread your wings, you've been too long in the cage.

    

Today’s song is the first track from the 1978 album ‘Earth’ by Jefferson Starship. Not very well known and long forgotten, but it came to mind on seeing a parent wearing a Jefferson Airplane T-shirt on the school run last week. Took me right back to seeing them play at Knebworth, minus Grace Slick who was reported to be too drunk to take the stage , I hasten to add back in 1978.

    

Okay they sound a bit Fleetwood Mac but this opening track is totally wonderful especially as Slick’s vocals blend into the intro perfectly at perfect pitch. Quite simply spine-tingling.

    

The lyrics speak louder to me now, some forty years on than they ever could to a sixteen year old boy and the submission by Slick in the song makes me feel quite helpless as the song progresses. You see, things are never that really that bad - they just feel that way sometimes.

    

I've opened the door, I've set you free.

And that freedom is perhaps what we are all searching for. Freedom of choice and freedom of what you do, where you live and who you are. Too many people now-a-days are victims of their own well-meaning choices. Hopefully it won’t take forty years for an old rock album to speak volumes for you today and maybe it's time to set yourself free.

Time to tune in...and listen  Here

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

Tell me why? - Genesis

Don’t get me wrong - we all have to do things we don’t want to do or take one for the team but when it comes to our own free choice, why do we do things that we don’t enjoy?

If you are a runner, swimmer, musician whatever, if it cheeses you off, why do it? Why lower your mood when what you are doing is meant to be enjoyable and rewarding.

As children, we are exposed to a variety of extra-curricular activities to see if we have the enthusiasm and aptitude to succeed. As adults we seem to lose this as a concept and slog on when our hearts are no longer in things - unable to admit failure, learn and move on.

A fresh diet, a time of sobriety, a new career, new partner even in some cases might be what you need to find the life you’ve been looking to enjoy all of your adult life.

As an experiment, try looking at yourself through the eyes of a child. Are you really going to continue as you are for ever or are you going to start making the changes you know you need to do but are avoiding...Why don't you do what you really want to do?

1,045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

School - Supertramp

Yesterday, I wrote that I’ve definitely had value for money from life so far and scrolling back through the years, I’ve certainly lived a full life. I haven’t filled up my time with things that I’m not good at or are not interested in. And if we wind my clock back to March 1976, I have only happy thoughts of that time and being 14 at school. Indeed, I wrote in my book ‘A Rebel and a Runner’ - 'My overwhelming memory of school life is one of happiness and fulfilment'. Only on reading my school report of that term, my teachers observations were quite different. In fact, in my last school report at 18, the headmaster’s comment was ‘He has never developed a serious attitude to his work’. Nice soundbite for seven years in one of the top Grammar Schools in the UK - and not one that reflects my current work ethic.

I was never highlighted as a child with a complete mental-block when processing written language(s) but on scanning a few of my reports – it’s clear where I was failing. Don’t get me wrong as this was the 70’s and the education process was more about exam preparation and university entrance than providing pastoral care. Learning how to find a route through the confusion of education, probably taught me more if I’m being honest and has given me a way of dealing with a complexity of adult life.

Told you it wasn't great...

Okay, I’m not the most literary of people as you’ll know if you are one of my regular blog readers’, but I do believe that the life-experience that I now broadcast has an in-built message that delivers both achievement and fulfilment.

Possibly my school years' taught me to be more pragmatic than anything else – putting my energies into knowing what I was good and where I could achieve - making a platform to bookmark my success perhaps. No wonder my marathon running and Guinness World Records etc. have been so fundamental in marking my success and investment into what I believe has been an important part of me becoming the present-day me.

I’m sure if I went back, I would invest more of my time and energy into my education and pass far more of my A and O Levels but what would it really achieve? Absolutely nothing. The 'School of Experience' offers much higher qualifications and I've achieved way beyond where predicted some 40-odd years on.

For this reports, I’m going to continue with my serious attitude to my work (that I’ve always had) and continue believing that I'm happy and fulfilled.

Are you happy and fulfilled too?

A* in 1,045 Marathons - 254 Ultras - 9 Guinness World Records - 15 Marathon des Sables

Choose Life - Underworld

Life is a matter of degrees. You see whenever I speak to a new client that is looking for an abstinence from alcohol, I always say that I’ve worked with folk that drink as much as four bottles of wine a day and are now living a life of sobriety. The reply is always, ‘Well I’m not that bad, it’s only drink one bottle!’ It’s the same for my dieters – as their being 100kgs is just as bad as 125kgs in my book.

I mean – just how bad is bad? Where is the point of no return - that person ‘Failsafe’ where nothing, and I mean nothing can save you from yourself.

We have a strange eating and drinking culture in the UK where 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath will make you a drunk driver but 34 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath means you are ‘technically’ sober. Only you’re not – you are simply 1 microgram less drunk. Food is seen as a leisure pursuit, a reward or even as TV entertainment (do you know how much I hate ‘Bake Off’). Anyway food - along with drinking it’s so much time wasted IMO that’s reflected by the size of your waistline.

There are so many other things that you can do that are far more rewarding, if you give them the time you currently choose not to give them.

What are you wasting your time on today?

1045 Marathons, 254 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records & 15 Marathon des Sables

Vera - The Pink Floyd

‘Where the hell are you Simon?’

It’s a line that features right at the start of the 1979 Pink Floyd track ‘Vera’ but in fact comes from the 1969 film ‘The Battle of Britain’ – One of the truly great British War Films IMO. Anyway, it’s a lyric that always gets me thinking - especially when times are tough or if I’m feeling a bit out of sorts like I have been lately.

You see, part of my recent dilemma has been whether fatigue is good old-fashioned wear and tear, old age or remnants of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome that makes some of my days grind to a dead halt. It’s crazy as some days it feels like I’m flying and back to the old Rory days, pre-body anaesthesia. And if I’m honest, yes it does cheese me off, but how much I can blame that feeling on to my ‘outside influences’ is debateable and actually irrelevant as I can only now work with what I’ve got and I accepted that, if with somewhat gritted teeth.

I reached my ‘acceptance’ in 2016.

Can’t say it’s been easy but looking back I’ve had to accept many things over the years. At an early age I ‘accepted’ I’d never be a professional footballer, a brain-surgeon or a cross-channel swimmer. My mother said she’d found my old school reports that made poor reading. Shucks eh? But in my favour, I have one big advantage - I know what I’m good at, what I really like doing and give things 100%. 

  

What has become of you?

And that’s been my ‘Modus Operandi’. It’s not always a good thing as it means that sometimes it’s hard to find the brakes when things are proceeding headlong in the wrong direction, but on the whole, it’s brought me a more than satisfying level of success. I can hardly look back and say I haven’t had value for money, can I? And from what I have done, I can easily say that I know exactly where and who I am.

The fascinating thing is that many people I meet haven’t got the same level of location or proprioception. They are lost. Maybe the Global Positioning System could crack people’s psychological predicament as well as their location – what an invention but imagine that, being told how you feel – I mean, how would you feel about that?

And yet, where are you today? Drowning in data, unsure of what to do for the best? Scared of making the wrong decision. Scared of making the right decision. It’s a complete minefield. Knowing what to ‘like’, ‘unlike’, ‘friend’, ‘unfriend’, ‘trust’ a lottery one you feel you can never win.

But you already have the winning ticket, if you find ‘acceptance’. It’s an instant win – 90% complete with just 10% needed to conquer anything you put your mind to. 

I do hope you understand where I’m coming from today. As even if today’s rubbish, it doesn’t matter as tomorrow will be slightly better and the day after hopefully better still – just give it a go and build on whatever solid foundation you can find however rocky it might feel as that’s what I’m doing… ’Does anybody else here feel the way I do?’

1,045 Marathons - 254 Ultras - 9 Guinness World Records - 15 Marathon des Sables