The Everest dream remains afloat!

Had an interesting couple of weeks. Both successes and troughs. So I’ll focus on the successes.

Glad to confirm Dayinsure.com as the most recent main sponsors of my expedition next Spring. Building up an amazing support team now and very grateful for their generous support. I’ll be getting some photos with the team soon to share with you. Dayinsure are the UK’s leading experts in short term motor insurance for cars, vans and motorhomes; providing cover from 1 to 28 days. They also have a great policy for learner drivers which allows learners to practice driving in a family member or friend’s car, from just 1 day up to 5 months. See www.dayinsure.com.

My usual 40 mile cycle route that I’ve used weekly, training for both Everest 2014 and 2015, passes their Tarporley office near my old school and being so local prompted me to get in touch. I didn’t know anything about Dayinsure or their innovative story until recently so I look forward to working with them to raise awareness and bring their flag to Everest base camp!

Through the power of perseverance and the amazing support I’ve had, the Everest dream is far from sinking. Just like the Fort Victoria… Yesterday I went to visit shipbuilders and repairers Cammell-Laird, another of my main sponsors along with BiG Storage who have backed me two years in a row which is truly humbling. So grateful that they have also persevered with my journey through adversity to Everest until the top of the world next Spring. After 18 months of email communication it was fantastic to meet the team and have a tour around their huge yard in Birkenhead. In my 3 Peaks Solo cycle I went straight past it but didn’t have time to stop. What a place!

Last but not least, I had one of my best talks yet at Cirencester Kingshill School last Thursday. Real honour to be their guest speaker and to hand out the awards to over 170 students, especially considering I’m only 19. Mind blowing. Considering how my story was emblazoned everywhere, I felt the pressure to meet the expectations, plus speaking to 350 people was my biggest audience yet and challenging to say the least. I found myself shaking with fear and doing my usual techniques/routine to keep myself in the energised mindset. Once on stage the passion took over and the audience were hooked. I was really pleased and speakers always get a feel for how well an event goes. But more so by the feedback they receive. This is what drives me to keep on scaring myself to stand up and tell my story. Humbling kind comments from both the students, parents and staff, both directly and indirectly online and after the event, speaks for itself. A huge thanks to them for having me on such a special evening and congrats again to all the students.

On that note, I best be off – got to prepare for another talk tomorrow at the Business Network Lunch in Warrington then fix my grans garage roof and then head to the gym. My legs and calves in particular are still sore from nauseous maximum intensity intervals on the gym bike so that should be interesting. And I forgot my fork for my lunch today so I was eating brown rice by hand on the train.

And there you have a typical day for an Everest climber to be. Adapt, make do, get on with it, and see how much more you get out of life.