#58: John McAvoy – Former Convicted Armed Robber with a Double Life Sentence, to Indoor Rowing World Record Holder and Free Man

John McAvoy was born into one of the most infamous criminal families in the United Kingdom.

His uncle Micky McAvoy was the ring-leader in London's 1983 Brinks-Mat heist, which saw a record £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds and cash stolen from a warehouse (today approximately £500 million).

From the age of 8, John was schooled in the criminal arts by his step-Dad and close-knit circle of family and friends - all of whom where notorious gangsters and king-pins of the criminal underworld.

In 2005, John was caught plotting to rob an armoured security van and was given an almost unheard of ­double-life sentence, due to his criminal associates and risk of escape. John was thrown into maximum security prison alongside Islamic terrorist Abu Hamza, the London Underground bombers and mass murderers.

Inside prison, John turned to circuit training and  indoor rowing as a means to mentally escape from confinement - eventually going on to smash numerous British and World Indoor Rowing Records.

After a decade in prison, John eventually became a free man and is inching closer to his dream of becoming a professional Ironman triathlete.

John McAvoy 's incredible story has been turned into a book called Redemption: From Iron Bars to Ironman.

He now visits universities and schools, preaching against a life of crime.

Book mentioned in this episode:

Links mentioned in this episode:

* The Real McAvoy

* Twitter

Enjoy the interview..