Posts by Alex
A Problem Shared: The Power of Human Connection
The world feels heavier than usual at the moment and it got me thinking about the power of connection. Even the introverts and ‘quiet’ leaders need social connection: perhaps opting for a walk or coffee with a friend, rather than a night out in a noisy pub. But connection also comes within ourselves and with…
Read MoreRedefining Resilience: How to Recharge, not Endure
“Don’t tell them to be resilient, they’ll bite your head off!” – was the advice I got during a briefing call for an upcoming speaking event. Well, I’m glad I checked for any sensitive topics… It got me thinking about the definition of resilience. We might think of it as our ability to ‘bounce back’…
Read More10 Lessons from Running Every Mountain in England & Wales In One Go
You’re possibly sick of the self-development gurus telling us how to be the best version of ourselves in 2026: as if we were somehow rubbish and inadequate in 2025. However you feel about 2025; now is a great time to slow down and reflect. As things wind down it’s finally awarded me the opportunity to…
Read MoreMen Do Talk: how to have honest conversations
“Men don’t talk about mental health”. It seems quite a bold and perhaps generalised statement to make. But is there truth to this? The statistics might suggest so. Men aged 20-40 are half as likely to go to their GP as women of the same age, and according to the Mental Health Foundation, only 36%…
Read MoreRunning Coast to Coast: third pebble lucky?
Every story needs a resolution – whether positive or negative. Both of my attempts to run Coast to Coast (183 miles from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay) were unsuccessful, but I still took some important lessons I wanted to share. Selfishly the writing process also helps me to find closure. Lots of people have…
Read MoreRunning Coast to Coast: 300km in one go!
In April I was due to take on The Northern Traverse race – a 300km/186-mile self-supported run on the Coast to Coast route from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, with 6,500m of ascent! In typical Alex style, I had to withdraw 2 weeks beforehand due to ongoing post-viral fatigue and…
Read MoreTrust the Process: How I beat Long Covid
Last week we launched the film ‘Head Above Water’ by Garth Dew which documented my journey with Long Covid, how open water swimming kept my head above water (literally), and the comeback to the adventures and challenges that define me. I was gratefully reminiscing how these hopeless days were now safely confined to a film…
Read MoreHead Above Water – New Film Launch
Very excited to reveal the trailer for ‘Head Above Water’, a brand new film by Garth Dew, brought to you by Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports! The film explores my journey of identity, mental health, adventure and discovering the healing power of open water swimming during Long Covid. It then follows my attempt at a comeback challenge…
Read MoreAconcagua 2023: one mountain too many
Last Saturday 16th December I should have been jetting off to Argentina on a 3-week expedition to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, at 6,961 metres high. Sadly, I decided to pull out a week before. Quitting goes against all my values and messages as a motivational speaker, but this time a number…
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