This weekend, I swam the full length of Lake Windermere – 11 miles end to end – as part of my ‘Longest Triathlon’ challenge: the longest swim, bike, and run I could come up with. Lands’ End to John O’Groats already ticked off, and now the UK’s longest lake swim too.
Was it tough? Absolutely. Legs cramped through the final 3 miles (note to self: maybe skip the 5-hour summit hike the day before next time). But it was also an incredible reminder of why I set this challenge: not for the time, but for the adventure.
Next up? A 100-mile ultramarathon around the Cornish coastline in January!
Business of Endurance Podcast
With Season 10 launching next week, I found myself reflecting on the extraordinary guests who’ve joined me so far – and none have stuck in my mind quite like Nicky Spinks. After spending last weekend climbing a few of the Lake District’s fells, I was reminded of just how wild her achievements are.
Nicky doesn’t just do the Bob Graham Round (a 66-mile, 42-peak feat to be completed in under 24 hours) she doubled it. Twice the distance, twice the ascent, within 48 hours. She’s the only person to double up on the Paddy Buckley and Charlie Ramsay rounds too and somehow has time to enter the Barkley Marathons as well. This isn’t just elite endurance, it’s mindset mastery.
This episode isn’t about running, really – it’s about limits, resilience, and redefining what’s possible. And if you’re in the business of pushing boundaries (mentally or physically), it’s essential listening.
What I’ve Been Reading
We’ve heard a lot about AI disruption – the job displacement, the bias, the risk. But what if we shifted the focus to opportunity? Reid Hoffman’s latest book does just that. Superagency explores how AI can expand our potential instead of shrinking it.
Through tangible examples – AI tutors transforming education, researchers fast-tracking disease cures, AI-powered advisors helping navigate complexity – Hoffman makes the case for optimism. This isn’t some utopian tech fantasy. It’s a challenge: to take agency, not fear, and use AI to amplify the best of human capability.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the AI noise, this book offers a grounded but exciting perspective that might just shift how you think about your future.
TED Talk I’ve Found Interesting
How do we raise confidence in young people, particularly girls, when the world so often teaches them to play it safe? Caroline Paul – a firefighter, pilot, and all-round adventurer – argues that the answer lies in encouraging risk.
She makes a compelling case for letting girls skateboard, climb, and scrape their knees – not because of the outcomes, but because of what those experiences teach: bravery, resilience, independence. It’s a mindset that doesn’t just apply to parenting, but to leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.
It’s a short, punchy talk – but it’ll stay with you. Watch it here.
What I’ve Been Watching
Sometimes a bit of lightness is exactly what’s needed and The Thursday Murder Club delivers it in style. Adapted from Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, the film follows a gang of retirees who go from dabbling in cold cases to tackling a real one.
It’s clever without being heavy, heart-warming without being twee – and a good reminder that sharp minds and new adventures aren’t limited by age. It’s a great watch for winding down without switching off.
Quote Of The Week
“Bravery is learned, and like anything learned, it just needs practice.” – Caroline Paul
Tech I’ve Found Useful
You know when you read a brilliant line in a book or article, and you tell yourself you’ll remember it – and then never do? Readwise solves that. It captures highlights from Kindle, PDFs, articles and more, then uses spaced repetition to drip-feed them back to you so they actually stick.
Whether you’re studying, writing, coaching, or just trying to retain more of what you consume, this is a game changer. Think of it as a digital second brain that keeps your best insights bubbling at the surface.
The Trusted Team
After a weekend of summits (literal and metaphorical), plus a week of diving into the power of AI and the resilience of those like Nicky Spinks, I’ve been thinking a lot about the scoreboard of life. Not revenue. Not likes. But freedom. Fulfilment. Fun.
The truth is, far too many entrepreneurs are winning on paper but losing in life. Burnt out, time-poor, and disconnected from why they started in the first place. That’s why we created the Entrepreneurial Happiness Scoreboard – a free tool to help you measure what really matters and spot the gaps before they become chasms.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this still making me happy?” – this might be the most important five minutes you spend this month. It’s free, insightful, and a powerful first step back toward balance.
One lake & one ride down, one ultra to go. The Longest Triathlon is testing more than just my body – it’s testing my capacity for discomfort, patience, and presence. But whether it’s work, sport, or life, pushing yourself beyond the familiar almost always brings clarity.
If you’d like to support my fundraising efforts for MNDA, you can donate here. And if not – maybe just ask yourself what your version of the lake is. What’s the challenge that might just give you a new view of what you’re capable of?
