Fast Facts: Pursuit: Five times Olympic gold medal winner 1984 – 2000 Definition of success: “Being the best you can be.” For most of us, the concept of winning Olympic gold is the stuff of dreams. It shouldn’t be of course; having spoken to one or two Olympians, not to mention achievers in a host of other fields, I can tell you the vast majority of life’s champions start out with the… Continue Reading Sir Steve Redgrave, MBE
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014: Who and Why?
It’s about this time that I ought to be penning Part 6 of my ‘Defining Success’ series, but so struck was I by the compulsion to support a previous guest that I’ve taken a brief detour. Don’t worry, I’ll be back on track shortly with my observations on selfish versus selfless, but for now there’s something at least more timely that needs our attention.. First of all a confession:… Continue Reading BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014: Who and Why?
Lizzy Yarnold
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Olympic and World Cup skeleton champion Definition of success: “Whatever drives you and makes you get up in the morning.” Another debut for The Secrets of their Success as we welcome the blog’s first Olympic gold medal winner! Not only that, but she’s a World Cup Champion, an MBE for Services to Sport, a Commonwealth Games Baton Bearer, TV presenter and – yes – national treasure.… Continue Reading Lizzy Yarnold
Reese Hoffa
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Shot Put World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Definition of success: “Staying consistent.” More below! Gold at the Pan American Games, two silvers and a gold at the World Indoor Championships, gold at the world championships, a string of podium finishes in the Diamond League and Olympic bronze at London 2012 – these are just the highlights of a brimming medal haul glittering with enough precious… Continue Reading Reese Hoffa
Mark Inglis
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Only double amputee to summit Mount Everest, Paralympic silver medallist, public speaker, internationally awarded winemaker and more Definition of success: “Turning stumbling blocks into the stepping stones of life.” Some people are destined to succeed in life, no matter the setbacks. In fact, some seem to thrive on setbacks. They re-label them ‘challenges’, fashion ladders from hurdles, and on they go. Today’s guest is one such… Continue Reading Mark Inglis
Anke Karstens
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Alpine snowboarder, Olympic silver medallist Definition of success: “If at the end of a work day I can say to myself, “You gave all you had, you gave your best” then that’s a successful day.” My next guest started snowboarding at 11 years of age, and within just three years had teamed up with then – and current – German national coach Andy Scheid. In… Continue Reading Anke Karstens
Chemmy Alcott
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Four time Winter Olympian, Right To Play Ambassador and TV presenter Definition of success: “Knowing you have done your personal best – tried as hard as you could and ticked every box.” She’s a four time Winter Olympian, the first British woman to qualify for the World Cup finals, and at her peak was ranked eighth in the world. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, hosted her own… Continue Reading Chemmy Alcott
Joshua Kozak
Fast Facts: Pursuit: Founder and CEO of free online fitness centre HASfit. Definition of success: “Having pride in your work and never giving up.” My next guest is the man behind Heart And Soul Fitness, better known around the world as HASfit. If like me you’re too busy to get to the gym, or if you just can’t justify the expense, you’ve probably put yourself through some of… Continue Reading Joshua Kozak