Last night was very exciting as Justin Miles (pictured above) came to speak at our school about his latest Antarctic challenge. He spoke to the school children during the day and after asking some well-intentioned questions about Father Christmas (er, no, that's the NORTH Pole) they came away shiny-eyed, with eyes open to new possibilities. They were suitably impressed by the sheer volume of chocolate he will have to consume each day (a couple of pounds, lucky chap) and some of them at least came to grips with the arduousness of the task.
In the evening, he spoke to members of the community. He really conveyed his passion and excitement that he feels about physical challenges and helping a wider community by setting an example and getting people motivated.
He aims to earn his place in history by completing the ill-fated Terra Nova expedition that Captain Scott started. Since Scott’s expedition, nobody has managed to walk from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Justin will be covering 2,200km on foot without support or re-supply. The walk will be the longest unsupported polar trek in history.
His talk covered how his dream began as a young boy in Bishopsteignton, his grandfather told him, "Don't ever aspire to be average"; how brain injuries sustained in a car accident were instrumental in turning his childhood dream into a reality, and details of the task ahead and his preparation.
I was just amazed that someone could be so single-minded, determined and goal-focused on an extraordinary goal. He's undoubtedly physically fit, but how do you summon up the stamina to trek in the Antarctic for 77 days? A member of the audience asked him just that. Well, his answer was direct and honest - he knows he can do it and he's 100% focused on it. I was expecting an answer where he uses CBT / yoga / religion, but he just believes in his own determination to do it. I certainly don't have that in me (well, obviously). His talk was inspiring and made me think long and hard about what my own current goals are...and shouldn't they be just that little bit bigger?
This is his website http://www.lastgreatchallenge.com/
The expedition is hoping to help The British Heart Foundation by collaborating with them on a community fitness campaign, The Great Heart Challenge http://www.lastgreatchallenge.com/greatheartchallenge/
The expedition is hoping to help The British Heart Foundation by collaborating with them on a community fitness campaign, The Great Heart Challenge http://www.lastgreatchallenge.com/greatheartchallenge/
I have a feeling that you're going to be hearing a lot more about him, particularly from October onwards when he sets out on his trek. I'm certainly going to be following his story.
