Pace & Purpose

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-runner, author, and charity founder from Chester who is no stranger to overcoming challenges. By the age of nineteen, he had already survived the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history. Yet his greatest obstacles have been closer to home: living with mental ill health, epilepsy, a stammer, and bullying. Alex is the author of Icefall and Another Peak, and the founder of the mental health charity Mind Over Mountains. His endurance feats have raised over £150,000 for charity, including running and cycling all 446 mountains in England and Wales in just 45 days.

Links:

• www.alexstaniforth.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstaniforth/
• https://www.instagram.com/alexstaniforth_/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/AlexAdversity?locale=en_GB

Books:

"Icefall" and "Another Peak" - available here: https://www.alexstaniforth.com/books/ 

Episode Summary:

• Alex Staniforth shares his journey from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a motivational speaker and adventurer.
• Discusses the impact of epilepsy, bullying, and a stammer on his early life and how these experiences shaped his resilience.
• Highlights his passion for running and adventure, including his attempts to climb Mount Everest.
• Reflects on the lessons learned from setbacks, such as the Everest expeditions affected by natural disasters.
• Emphasizes the importance of mentors and the role they played in his career development.
• Talks about his recent 446 Challenge, climbing all mountains in England and Wales, and its significance.
• Shares insights on managing stress, energy, and the importance of purpose in life.
• Encourages listeners to find success in making a difference and creating a legacy.

Keywords:Alex Staniforth, Everest, resilience, adventure, motivation, purpose, mentorship, 446 Challenge

Takeaways:

1. Overcoming adversity can lead to unexpected opportunities.
2. Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth.
3. Purpose and passion drive success and fulfillment.
4. Resilience is built through facing and learning from setbacks.
5. Creating a legacy is more fulfilling than chasing material success.
6. Managing stress and energy is key to maintaining well-being.
7. Adventure and challenges can be powerful tools for personal growth.
8. Giving back and helping others is a core component of a meaningful life.

Chapters:

1. Introduction to Alex Staniforth - 0:00
2. Early Life Challenges and Resilience - 5:00
3. The Everest Expeditions - 15:00
4. Mentorship and Career Development - 30:00
5. The 446 Challenge - 45:00
6. Managing Stress and Finding Purpose - 60:00
7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts - 75:00

Sound Bites:

• "The biggest success is safety, not the summit."
• "Failure is not fatal; it's how you get back up."
• "Purpose is the compass when you're in the storm."
• "Creating a legacy is the only thing that lasts."
• "Resilience is built through facing setbacks."
• "Adventure is a powerful tool for growth."

Hashtags: #AlexStaniforth #Resilience #Adventure #Motivation #Purpose

Feel free to adjust or add any additional details to better fit your style! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to explore or refine.

Bev founded Churchill & Partners in 2018, specialising in Intelligent Retail Strategy for World-Class Developments, creating and cultivating value for world-class clients through innovative commercial and creative strategies tailored for Retail, Dining, and Entertainment destinations.

Bev draws on deep expertise gained from 25 years in retail and real estate, including transformative roles at Selfridges and Covent Garden, where she significantly contributed to shaping two of London’s most cherished and vital retail destinations.

She believes smart developers appreciate that great places strike a harmonious balance between effective systems and genuine empathy. 

Bev leads a talented team of experts dedicated to creating value through innovative, purpose-driven strategies that address clients’ most challenging retail objectives covering existing retail destinations, mixed-use urban centres and Saudi Arabian Giga projects.

She and I met through social circles in a Northwest London Neighbourhood of Primrose Hill. Each time I have connected with Bev, I am inspired to continually strive forward as a woman in business. Bev is a successful entrepreneur who has been positively shaped by a fascinating career shift, where she began to run her own business in recent years - after many years in large corporate.  Her natural energy, to drive human connectivity through engaging spaces with intentionality is uniquely Bev.  

“Our clients can consider us an extension of their development team, by seamlessly integrating into your project and consultant team we support every step of the retail journey—from design and delivery through to driving
engagement, footfall and spend in your live destination.” - Bev

Episode Highlights:

-The conversation begins with reflections on how community bonds formed during the pandemic have been influential. 

-Bev recounts her upbringing in Northeast England, a pivotal moment in her youth that motivated her to seek better opportunities through education, and her eventual move to London. 

-She shares her extensive experience in the corporate world, notably her role at Capco in transforming Covent Garden, and how a realisation of her entrepreneurial spirit led her to start Churchill and Partners. 

-Explore her transition from a structured corporate environment to starting her consultancy business, her approach to placemaking, and navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. 

-Bev emphasises the importance of community, having a supportive network, staying true to one's purpose, and the continuous drive for personal and professional growth. 

Keep in touch with Bev:

https://churchillandpartners.london/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverley-churchill-90525867/

https://newmurabba.com/en/the-mukaab/

#ChurchillandPartners

#RetailPlacemaking

#RetailStrategy

#PlacemakingStrategy

Mark Busse is a Canadian brand strategist, leadership coach, facilitator, and professional instigator who helps leaders turn purpose into performance. A flâneur at heart, he’s known for designing the conversations that build brands—blending strategy, facilitation, and coaching to align story, culture, and execution. As co-founder of Industrial Brand, Mark led AEC firms to differentiate beyond “prettymaking”; today he partners with founders, creative leads, and civic organisations to sharpen positioning, cultivate healthy team dynamics, and host the brave, useful conversations most groups avoid. A long-time community builder (CreativeMornings, cross-sector roundtables, mentoring), he believes generosity is a growth strategy and that better questions beat louder answers. Rooted in emotional intelligence and participatory leadership, his approach gives teams practical tools to find their pace when the path shifts underfoot. Mark lives in Vancouver and is happiest coaching leaders, facilitating strategy sprints, or—true to form—connecting good people who should know each other

Episode Highlights:

Explore Mark Busse's journey from a creative polymath to a strategic advisor and community builder.

1. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped Mark's career, including his transition from brand design to fostering meaningful conversations.
2. Learn about the importance of human connection and how Mark uses it as a catalyst for creativity and innovation.
3. Gain insights into Mark's leadership philosophy, emphasizing empowerment, authenticity, and the value of saying no.
4. Hear Mark's reflections on purpose, values, and the role of mentorship in personal and professional growth.

Website: https://www.pickmybrain.world/profiles/mark-busse/ 

Creative Mornings: https://creativemornings.com/cities/van 

Article: https://industrialbrand.com/three-traits-of-successful-managers 

https://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/category/art-of-hosting/

Mark Busse Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbusse/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbusse/?hl=en 

Industrial Brand: https://industrialbrand.com/about 

In this episode of "Pace & Purpose," host Kirstyn DeVries sits down with Drew Dugan, founder of DVLP Music, to explore his transformative journey from addiction to entrepreneurship. 

Drew shares insights on personal development, the power of music, and the importance of embracing one's true self. 

Tune in to discover how Drew's experiences have shaped his mission to inspire and educate others.

Drew Dugan is a music producer, educator, and founder of DVLP Academy, a cutting-edge music education hub based in Denver, Colorado. 

His lifelong journey with music began at just three years old when he first picked up the drums - a spark that grew into a career blending technical mastery with creative vision.

Driven by the belief that true growth happens when skill is paired with mindset, adaptability, and personal evolution, Drew created DVLP Academy as more than just a music school. 

It’s a space where artistry and personal development intersect. Through mentor-based training and immersive, real-world environments, students gain hands-on experience across every stage of modern music production - from songwriting and sound design to mixing and mastering - using industry-standard tools like Ableton Live and Pro Tools.

Drew’s own life embodies the philosophy of developing yourself: he is over nine years sober, has lost more than 100 pounds, and now runs marathons. For him, “The purpose of life is to develop it” isn’t just a statement - it’s truly a way of living. 

At DVLP, students and artists are encouraged to embrace that same mindset, using creativity not just to build careers in music, but to fuel personal transformation, resilience, and lifelong growth.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Drew, about his journey from addiction to entrepreneurship and personal growth.

Instagram: @thedrewdugan

Instagram: @dvlpmusic 

Website: https://dvlpacademy.com/

Kathy is a 2 time Olympian, competed at 21 world championships including a team bronze medal and several individual top 10 finishes. Kathy was a 5 x NCAA champion while competing at the University of Wisconsin and multiple time British and Canadian national champion. 

Kathy had coached for over 25 years starting as a volunteer coach at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then at Stanford University. She currently coaches post-collegiate athletes with Run Boulder Athletic Club in Boulder, Colorado, athletes all over the world online and high school cross country and track at Nederland High School. 

In addition to her own coaching practice Kathy has served as a national team staff coach with Team USA six times including the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago Chile, NACAC Track and Field Championships in 2022 and 2025 and the World Cross Country Championships in 2024 and 2023. 

Kathy is a USATF Coaching Education Instructor having taught all levels of their curriculum from Level 1 through 3 as well as specialist courses in the marathon. She is also a curriculum writer for USATF. Kathy also does public speaking on performance, coaching and elite lifestyle including traveling to China to speak at their National Coaching Convention.  

Episode Description:

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Kathy Butler, a former Olympian who transitioned from a celebrated athlete to a dedicated coach. Discover how her experiences across continents and competitions have shaped her unique coaching philosophy.

From Athlete to Coach: Kathy shares her evolution from a high school athlete to a professional runner, and eventually, a coach. 

International Representation: Learn about Kathy's experiences competing for both Canada and the UK, and how these shaped her perspective. 

Overcoming Challenges: Hear about the setbacks Kathy faced, including injuries and missed opportunities, and how she bounced back stronger. 

Coaching Philosophy: Kathy discusses her approach to coaching, emphasizing personal development and athlete well-being. 

Future Aspirations: Discover Kathy's current projects and her vision for the future, including her passion for coaching education and personal growth.

Tune in to hear Kathy's story of resilience, passion, and dedication to the world of athletics.

Instagram - Kathy Butler: @chutler

Instagram- Run Boulder: @runboulderac

Instagram- Coaching: @kathybutlercoaching

Website: www.kathy-butler.com

Run Boulder Athletic Club: http://www.runboulder.org/meettheteam.html 

Nicholas Turco is a professional mountain runner and international human rights advocate whose career bridges athletics, law, and social impact. 

Ranked among the top 30 mountain runners in the world, Nicholas has competed on the Golden Trail World Series and represented brands like Salomon and INOV8. But his influence extends beyond the trails.

As a Savit Scholar at the University of Colorado Boulder, Nicholas envisioned and spearheaded the university’s first NCAA scholarship program to harness the voices of Division I athletes for LGBTQ+ advocacy. Known as the Colorado Athletics Visibility Award, the initiative empowers athletes to design and lead social impact projects, with recipients awarded $20,000 scholarships. Nicholas partnered with CU’s advancement team to secure $80,000 in seed funding, laying the foundation for a program that continues to drive visibility, inclusion, and well-being in athletics.

His professional journey also includes legal research for the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, work with the United Nations and the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, and contributions to groundbreaking research at the intersection of sport, neuroscience, and peacebuilding. Nicholas’s academic achievements span from a summa cum laude degree at CU Boulder to a Master of Laws in Geneva, where his thesis explored how sports can transform discrimination into peacebuilding capital.

Episode Highlights: 

1. Nicholas Turco shares his journey from a school sports enthusiast to a professional trail runner and consultant at the United Nations, blending his passion for athleticism with advocacy work.
2. Nicholas discusses the challenges and rewards of mountain running, highlighting the dynamic and exciting nature of the sport that connects people with nature.
3. He opens up about his personal struggles with race day anxiety and how working with a sports psychologist helped him overcome these challenges through biofeedback techniques.
4. Nicholas talks about his advocacy work as an openly LGBT athlete, emphasizing the importance of belonging and representation in sports.
5. He introduces his current project with the International Olympic Committee, aiming to create Olympic Athlete Ambassadors to support UN mandates for peace, human rights, and humanitarian affairs.

Alex Kolodkin is the founder and CEO of Set Scouter, a film locations marketplace that simplifies commercial and film production scouting across North America. 

Founded in Toronto, the company is backed by investors from Silicon Valley and Canada - and continues to set the industry standard for sourcing sets of all kinds, from small indie films, TV series, and cinematic blockbusters.

Set Scouter serves thousands of major brands and agencies, including Google, Walmart, Disney, and McDonald’s. 

During the pandemic, he started Safe Sets International, which grew into the largest film-focused COVID-19 advocacy group in the world. 

Before founding Set Scouter, Alex produced corporate videos and worked as a broadcaster. He holds a BA and MA from Toronto Metropolitan University and completed additional studies at UCLA. 

Outside of work, Alex serves as a National Director for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, invests in great founders, and races triathlons (including two Ironman 70.3s).

It was really energising re-connecting with Alex, and I am motivated by his driving force in leadership in the global media, film and production landscape. 

We also connected on the theme of movement. He and I hold a passion for endurance sport, and his passion comes out in today’s interview.

Highlights:

1. Early Career and DMZ Experience: Alex Kolodkin reflects on his early career, highlighting his time at the DMZ, a technology business incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University, which played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial journey.
2. Building Set Scouter: Alex shares insights into founding Set Scouter, a film locations marketplace, discussing the challenges of overbuilding and the importance of iterating based on customer feedback.
3. Impact of COVID-19: The conversation delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry and Set Scouter, highlighting the creation of Safe Sets International, a COVID education platform for the film industry.
4. Leadership and Empathy: Alex emphasizes the importance of leading with empathy, structuring one-on-ones to focus on team members' feelings and insights, and fostering a supportive team culture.
5. Personal Growth and Athletic Pursuits: Alex discusses his personal growth through endurance sports, drawing parallels between athletic training and business resilience, and sharing his journey from a non-athlete to a triathlete.

Kim Rowell is the Managing Editor of News Production at ITN and passionate advocate for amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities through storytelling, a commitment that has defined her career over the past two decades. 

With an impressive portfolio that spans major broadcasters, independent production companies, and publishers, Kim has established herself as a leading figure in the realm of creative content. 

Her work is not only recognised for its artistic merit but also for its profound societal impact, often sparking debates in Parliament and prompting legislative changes.

Her work has led her to produce content with trending celebrities, top tier public figures, politicians and the Royal Family.

Kim is a Trustee and Board Member for UN Women UK, an ambassador for the Women of the Future Programme, Chair of the Royal Television Society Technology Centre, Chairs the Global Advisory Board for sustainable changemaking charity ‘In Place of War’, and sits on the Industry Advisory Board for the Media Trust. Kim has also served as Executive Producer of acclaimed short film titled ‘I SEE HER’.

Kim and I know each other through the Women of the Future Network in the UK, where she has been recognised for Leading with Kindness.

The award spurred her on to launch and produce an annual event receiving global attention called Global Kindness Fest. 

If you are facing uncertainty, loss or perhaps looking to optimise your ‘squiggly career journey’ by leaning into your passions and strengths, this interview will inspire you to take action.

Episode Highlights:

• Squiggly Career Path: Kim Rowell shares her non-linear career journey, emphasizing the importance of gaining vocational experience and the unexpected opportunities that shaped her path in media.

• Impactful Storytelling: Kim discusses her work in interactive television and the evolution of audience engagement, highlighting her role in pioneering interactive content on shows like "Britain's Got Talent."

• Leadership and Resilience: Kim reflects on the challenges of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the tragic loss of a team member, and the importance of listening and supporting her team.

• Kindness and Community: Inspired by a tweet, Kim co-founded the Global Kindness Fest, a festival promoting kindness and community spirit, which has raised significant funds for charity.

• Purpose and Legacy: Kim emphasizes the importance of purpose, legacy, and hope, encouraging others to take action on issues they care about and to be tenacious in their pursuits.

Social Media:

LinkedIn: Kim Rowell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrowell/?originalSubdomain=uk 

Instagram: @kimrowelltv  

https://www.instagram.com/kimrowelltv/?hl=en 

Women of the Future Podcast: 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/women-of-the-future-podcast/id1466659770

Podbean https://womenofthefuture.podbean.com/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6zY66ogw33DLTBNFjqx5CT 

Valerie Fox is an expert in building thriving entrepreneurial communities, both locally and globally, by fostering partnerships and embracing intentional diversity. 

Based in Toronto, Canada, she’s perhaps best known as the co-founder and former Executive Director of the DMZ, a leading innovation hub. 

More recently, she founded The Pivotal Point, where she’s helping grow community-based incubators worldwide through coaching, mentoring, and co-creation.

With over 30 years of experience in the digital world, Val started by launching a graphic design business. 

Her work caught the attention of IBM, where she joined their senior innovation network and led enterprise software design teams. 

One of her standout projects was serving as the creative director for large online experiences like the Sydney Olympics. 

Along the way, she earned five patents, including one for the Universal Shopping Cart for the Web—a key innovation that helped shape the e-commerce landscape.

She sits on 8 advisory boards, impacting business of all kinds through support of impact investing, women’s empowerment and community building. 

She is a creative at heart, and has recently re-ignited her passion for art, carving out time to create, and collaborate with artists in her local Toronto neighbourhood.

Conversation Highlights:

1. Community Builder: Val Fox's journey is marked by her exceptional ability to build and connect communities, especially through the DMZ incubator in Toronto.
2. Career Evolution: From graphic design to IBM's creative director, Val's career showcases the power of lifelong learning and adaptability.
3. Resilience: Val's personal stories of overcoming setbacks, like post-Olympics challenges and injury recovery, highlight her resilience.
4. Artistic Revival: Recently, Val has embraced her artistic side, exploring painting and collaging, emphasizing personal growth and creativity.
5. Purposeful Living: Val focuses on health to continue serving others, with a strong commitment to social entrepreneurship and supporting women.
6. User-Centered Design: Val's work at IBM and beyond underscores the importance of designing with the user's perspective in mind.
7. Leadership and Mentorship: Val's leadership style encourages risk-taking and learning, fostering growth in her teams and community.

Amritpal Ghatora is a British-born Indian distance runner, coach, and inclusive community builder based in London. Amrit is the UK community and marketing manager for TrackSmith, shaping vibrant grassroots runs like speed workouts on the track and the famous TrackSmith Sunday Church of the Long Run. 

He has completed an astounding 29 marathons to date and is a proud six star finisher of the Abbott World Marathon majors. 

Amrit ran his first marathon in London back in 2008 with a time of four hours and 42 minutes and has since improved to a sub three hour marathon personal best of two hours and 51 minutes. 

He is an impressive athlete with an ethos that is rooted in the message of empowerment. 

He encourages representation in the running world and often reflects on being one of the few Asian faces in races and leading running communities. 

Amrit’s community at TrackSmith will be a must-have in my training calendar leading into the Autumn. 

Running has been a thread throughout Amrit's journey. And even if you are not a runner or an athlete, you will take away fabulous tools from today's conversation that can be applied to your life. 

Conversation Highlights:

Career Shift from Engineering to Running Industry – Amritpal transitioned from a decade-long engineering career in aerospace and automotive to becoming Head of Marketing & Community at Tracksmith, merging his professional skills with his lifelong passion for running after redundancy during the pandemic.

Running Journey & Achievements – Starting in 2008 with the London Marathon, Amrit progressed from a 4:42 debut to a 2:59 PB, completing 29 marathons (28 as World Marathon Majors), qualifying for and running Boston, and setting new goals like breaking 2:50 and eventually 2:45.

Building Tracksmith’s London Community – Since 2022, he has grown Tracksmith’s UK presence, leading events, coaching, and creating a space that attracts local and global runners, focusing on connection, inclusivity, and the “amateur spirit” ethos.

Resilience & Reinvention – Facing two difficult years without a stable income post-redundancy, he pivoted into brand partnerships, coaching, and running content creation, leveraging persistence, adaptability, and a strong personal network to open new opportunities.

Purpose & Legacy – Amrit defines purpose as showing up with integrity, intention, and adaptability—aiming to leave a lasting community legacy in London’s running scene while pushing personal limits and inspiring others through consistency and connection.

Social Media:

Coaching Website: https://www.amritpalghatora.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amritpalghatora/reels/

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/37625515?oq=amri 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/amritpalghatora 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amritpalghatora