Supporting an Arctic explorer to build the skillset and mindset to make a world record crossing
Meet Sam. A former British commando officer.
In November 2023, Sam will embark on a unique 2000km solo and unsupported journey across Antarctica. No one has ever skied this distance without support before.
Jon supported Sam as he embarked on three of life’s toughest challenges:
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His expedition across the Antarctic,
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Transitioning out of the military to his new job,
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Becoming a dad for the first time
An eight-session virtual coaching package supported Sam to achieve his goals.
Proactive Approach To Mental Health And Performance
Here’s what Sam had to say:
“ My tendency to multitask and procrastinate has diminished remarkably, thanks to a heightened consciousness of these habits. I feel more focused, which has been instrumental in my expedition planning, where even setbacks have become stepping stones as I fail forward.
At least 8-10 skills I've acquired will undoubtedly accompany me to Antarctica, many of them seamlessly integrating into my daily routine. Reflecting on my journey, I now realise how excessive rumination once held me back; this training has been a catalyst for positive change. ”
Real-time measurements show a significant change
Sam on the impact of the coaching on his expedition:
What I’ve not spoken about is how I’ve been mentally preparing for this massive endeavour. Whilst 70 odd days of complete solitude is daunting, it is something I potentially paid a bit of lip service to thinking that there wouldn’t be much I could do to prepare for it beyond the resiliency I had already built up over the past decade in the Royal Marines.
When Jon approached me last year about supporting the expedition by taking me on a resilience training course I was a little sceptical as I wasn’t sure as to what I could possibly learn. How wrong I was.
This aspect will be as important to my success as having the correct training, the best
equipment, and the right physical preparation.
Over the past few months, Jon has been teaching me a set of unique skills and tools that I can use on the expedition to help equip me for such a gargantuan physical and mental feat. By tackling cognitive issues that the conditions will inevitably throw at me as well as understanding my own decision-making process I will be more proficient mentally to be able to comprehend some of the problems I will face and I will have the confidence to have the necessary means to overcome them.
These unique and effective skills are also helping me prepare in the build-up to my leaving later this year. They have been more vital than ever now that the stress of the expedition, work life, and home life start to mount up. They have also helped me communicate better, not only with people following my progress but also with my family and co-workers as I inevitably get tired and strained.
I’m a huge advocate of proactive approaches rather than reactivemeasures to keep mentally fit and this coaching will genuinely be a game changer whilst I’m undertaking the crossing. I can highly recommend this to anyone looking to enhance their organisation's mental resiliency and preparedness.
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