Currently...

I run AdventureHub which is an expedition and endurance adventure company offering real life changing challenges and expeditions.

I was fed up with so many things being branded extreme and adventure when they were little more than an activity package. So, I set up a company to engage people in really life changing, iconic and liberating expeditions in all parts of the globe, in all environments.

The purpose is to get people out on challenges that push their boundaries under the guidance of an experienced staff, so that they can realise their potential and discover just how capable they are, even when faced with challenging environments and mental, physical and emotional hardship.

I do not have a day-to-day routine as I could be on a boat rowing the Atlantic, skiing across an icecap, running through a desert or in a number of other places, either sorting out new adventures or leading a group.

When back at home, it is all about detailed planning and lots of training - my own and the individuals we look after. It is always varied - since '08 I have rowed across the Atlantic twice, was in the first boat ever to row the Indian Ocean, ran across the Gobi Desert, and set the British record for ski hauling across Greenland.

Before I escaped...

Before starting this business I was an Infantry Officer in the Army for seventeen years, which was a great experience and set me in excellent stead for what I do now.

My moment of truth...

I was half-way through rowing the Atlantic for the first time when I thought about leaving the Army and doing something like this permanently. During the rest of the crossing, I had plenty of time to formulate plans, and then I handed in my resignation on my first day back in the office.

It was a scary moment to leave a career of seventeen years and a very unique working environment, but I have absolutely no regrets.

Planning for it...

The business idea formed during my weeks at sea, and on return from handing in my resignation, I made those plans concrete.

I did a huge amount of research and planning, and my pension and savings made the initial transition possible.

I was fortunate to have a very definite idea of what I wanted to do right from the start.

The worst and best bits...

The worst thing is the uncertainty - from having a career and regular income, to starting a business that is very niche and having to develop a client base - it can be quite unnerving at times! We want to ensure that quality, not quantity, shines through, by really engaging with clients and involving them in the process of creating an expedition. Also, a good business reputation takes time to develop.

The positives for me are enormous. I am doing something I love - it is a real privilege. I get to redefine my limits time and time again, which is hugely rewarding. I experience some of the greatest challenges and places in the world. People really make it for me, though - my two sons get to see that as they grow; they can strive for things outside of the norm, and I see clients who have pushed their limits and changed their lives through new-found confidence.

Best advice...

Lots have people have great ideas but it is those that have the drive, are prepared to stretch themselves and have the courage to risk that stand out. It is not about the idea, it is about the conviction to make it happen. Courage of your convictions is key and be prepared to sacrifice all your time to succeed. Be honest with yourself about what you want and what it will take to achieve it.