I thought about all the events of the past week in searching for a topical subject for this week’s article. And I have to say, the highlight by far, was the first Escape the City Talk. So, particularly for those of you who couldn’t make it, I did a write up so that you don’t feel too left out, and so you make sure you’re at the next one!
I arrived early, which gave me an opportunity to catch up with a very excitable Rob. And rightly so. Rob (and fellow Esc-ers) had a lot to be excited about that night. It was Esc’s first ever Talk. This is the very stuff of which Esc is made – a community of aspiring entrepreneurs, nomads, thinkers, philosophers, creators, dreamers and the merely intrigued – coming together to commingle, share ideas and inspire one another. By the time we’d had our first glass of Merlot, the event was in full swing, guests were piling into the foyer of the venue in Notting Hill and there was an air of enthusiasm about the place.
Seated at last in the theatre, Rob did superbly well at introducing Esc. He hit the nail on the head when he said “it’s not about us”. It really isn’t. Esc is about YOU. It’s about all the things you’ve done, wanted to do, and will do. With that as the background, he introduced Justin Miles; without a doubt an absolute, fully fledged, and totally inspiring Esc Hero.
For a full profile on Justin, his team and their challenge, see www.lastgreatchallenge.com.
For now though, I will tell you this: Justin delivered a truly inspiring talk as he described the challenge he is about to take on; one that would have most of us pull the duvet further over our heads with the mere thought of the pursuit.
Justin, following a near fatal car accident, decided that he would be an adventurer. And not just any adventurer – someone who would traverse the Arctic and the Antarctic, conquering some of the world’s harshest terrains. And so, exactly ten years on from the accident, fully recovered and with his dream still vividly in mind, he kept true to his word and planned an incredible journey with his team mate John Wilton Davies. Together they are going to be the first adventurers to cross the South Pole (2217 kms), totally unsupported. And not just for ‘fun’ – they’re going to raise money for the British Heart Foundation in the process.
As I sat and listened to Justin’s story, jaw dropped to the floor, I was in total awe of this man and it made me realise what a ‘small’ game I play in life. Don’t get me wrong – I have no grand delusions about trekking icy terrains for a good time, but I do have aspirations to travel, to write and to make contributions to others. This is my travel blog and I’m going to get it published. I have no idea how – but it’s the first step toward playing a bigger game. So go on, go play. Create big games, as Justin’s grandfather told him “Don’t ever aspire to be average”.
Related posts:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Congrats on your launch! Funny – the Mark Twain quote you have on this blog was the first quote I had on my list of daily inspirational quotes when I set out to row solo across the Atlantic. It worked! Sure, there were days when I regretted setting out on such an incredibly tough challenge, but all I had to do was remind myself of the alternative – being forever average – and that thought alone was enough to keep me going.
Congrats to ETC – and let’s see how many people we can nudge towards hitting the Escape key in your first year of existence!
All best
Roz