2014 English Championships bronze – addicted

2 March 2014

I have just returned from the season finale that was the English Championships after witnessing an epic day of racing.

I ended up racing – or rowing a 2km is probably the better way to describe it. Since posting after the Worlds 2 weeks ago I had made up my mind to take some time out and re organise myself ready for the new training year. I didn’t want to look at an erg again for a week or so nor did I want to partake in any kind of training.

Come last Thursday I thought I should hop on and maybe just do a light paddle to start the building process towards the distance work ahead. I rowed out around 8km at a low intensity and sort of enjoyed it. Friday I found myself rowing a race warm up and then plugging in 500m just to see what it was like – the lure of Manchester was now all of a sudden becoming an attraction and I figured I may have a shot at a medal even if I had lost all my peak fitness from a sedentary 10 days.

So on arriving at the hotel yesterday afternoon I met with Q and said I fancied a run out but had no idea what to expect. I had lost all my sharpness but fancied a medal shot and just wanted to have a run out with no pressure or expectations.

Today came around and after a rotten night sleep due to some late night partying by some of out kind hotel neighbours I arrived at the Manchester veledrome. An awful race warm up where the burst paces were seriously compromised with plenty of mini HD’s to catch my breath I found myself 10 minutes away form start time. I stood silently with Q and contemplated what to do. Sod it I’ll have a row was my final answer as I trudged out and found my race machine.

Setting off as per normal I finally settled into 3rd position as the 2 leaders disappeared and battled out in the distance. I enjoyed watching them push it out whilst keeping half an eye on where 4th position was. The gap was growing as we went through the 1km marker so I sat on the current pace with no desire to push, squeeze or react. The same at 500m to go with another few metres put between us I sat some more. Into the final few hundred I thought about burying it and then figured there was absolutely no need nor desire. I was quite comfortable with the state I was in so looked to see the race out, took the bronze and then wandered off amongst the bodies of collapsed corpses and exhausted finishers. [Finished in 6.17].

A great day out meeting plenty of people I have not seen for a year or two and meeting others who I have just known from afar. Congratulations to all those who raced today and to those who performed above and beyond well done.

That’s all for now folks. It’s time to get on with some serious training.

Thanks for following.

[below – increasing the medal tally is hard to resist]

[below – it always hurts even if you don’t fully empty it]

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There comes a point in every high-achiever’s journey where professional success and personal wellness seem irreconcilable, where the cost of performance is paid in silence, self-neglect, and eventual burnout. I had reached that point. Outwardly, I was thriving: respected, accomplished, operating at the peak of my profession. But beneath the surface, I was physically depleted, mentally fractured, and overwhelmed by self-loathing. I asked myself the question so many executives silently carry: How did I let myself get to this point? The answer, as I would come to learn, was not failure , it was imbalance. The truth is, high performance in leadership should not come at the expense of health, clarity, or self-worth. And through the Warrior Wellness Movement, I discovered that it doesn’t have to. This programme is not simply a fitness plan or a motivational workshop. It is a total recalibration of mindset, physiology, and leadership presence. The coaches at Warrior Wellness understood the unique pressures of executive life, the long hours, the constant decision-making, the burden of responsibility, and built a wellness framework that works with those realities, not against them. It is tailored, evidence-based, and deeply human. Through their guidance, I learned how to reclaim my physical health, strengthen my mental resilience, and lead with energy and authenticity. Just as critically, I brought my executive team on the same journey. Together, we evolved not only as professionals, but as people. We now operate with sustainable intensity, strategic clarity, and a shared understanding that wellness is not a luxury, it’s a leadership imperative. The Warrior Wellness Movement has fundamentally changed how I approach success, not as something to chase at all costs, but as a state of balance where performance and wellbeing co-exist. I cannot recommend this programme highly enough to any high-performing individual or team who is ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

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Been coached by Ollie for over 9 months. I was looking for accountability and structure in the gym to fit around a new job where shift work has messed with consistency. Ollie gave me a program that was achievable and the necessary nudges to get me into the gym. My initial goals were specific and he has delivered 100%. He has understood exactly what is required to train when you are mid life. I am in my late 50s and his focus on mobility/warming up and conditioning and feedback on form has kept me injury free and loving my sessions. Totally recommend Ollie whether you are new to fitness or a seasoned gym goer.

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After spending a very long time (years) aimlessly going to the gym with no structure or focus I eventually met Ollie at Warrior Wellness - and I’m glad I did. From the word go Ollie was direct (which I absolutely needed) and very supportive. Ollie demonstrated during our first meeting that he has experience and understanding of how that happens - and more importantly how to make the changes I needed. For me that was a good omen. The structure of the programming during the initial phase was straight forward and really easy to follow. It was just about doing the basics really well with some added variety and functionality. With help and focus on getting my diet sorted from the outset it has helped me get some early victories which helped keep the motivation and enthusiasm. In 3 months I’ve lost 5kg, I’m lifting heavier and feeling better than I ever have. I’m also moving better and easier than I’ve done for years since leaving the army. If you need structure, direction, honesty, accountability and support with a holistic approach then Ollie and Warrior Wellness is what you need. I would Highly recommend working with Ollie - it was honestly a great result and well worth the investment.