More With Moreira: The Business Podcast

Pushing Through Physically and Mentally – with Alex Smith of Harrison’s Fund

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Many of the challenges and issues we face in our personal lives can affect the ways in which we conduct ourselves in the business world. 

Alex Smith, the CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Research charity, Harrison’s Fund, has found personal success in setting numerous challenges for himself, most notably the physical and mental challenges of training for, and completing, Ironman challenges and marathons.

But all the challenges are worth it. Each step forward is made with the intention of raising money and awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition affecting Alex’s son, Harrison. In this very special episode, Desmond talks to Alex about the incredible physical and mental challenges Alex completes each day, and the empowering reasons why.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Alex yearned to do something epic. Marathons and fun runs never appealed to him as they seemed to be events where people just turned up. Ironman events, however, are different as they force you to train wholeheartedly, because if not, then you won't make it all the way.
  • One of the most challenging aspects of competing in the Iron Man challenge was that Alex took his son, Harrison, with him. Harrison suffers from Duchenne, and the charity is dedicated to raising money to help Harrison and other sufferers. 
  • Psychologically, there are always has to be a reason. During physical challenges, Alex is not just focussed on the moment, but also, and more importantly, the reason why he’s there. For Alex, the reason is Harrison, and the thought that he may save his son’s life is more than enough to keep him pushing through any kind of barrier.
  • No one knows the interiors and intricacies of someone else’s life or existence. You have no idea what challenges and issues they are facing day-to-day. We should endeavour to be compassionate at all times. Compassion should be our default.
  • Collaboration between charities can, surprisingly, be an issue. Alex began by offering open help and invitations to collaborate, but soon discovered that each charity has its own agenda, which leads to competition, much as in business. 
  • Duchenne research has come an incredibly long way. Through effort and perseverance, the first treatments for a subset of boys with Duchenne has begun to take place.
  • Increasing awareness of Duchenne through charitable events is working. Big pharma are taking notice and trials and advances are far more ubiquitous than before. 
  • Alex’s experiences have changed him forever. His impatience has turned to patience. Misunderstanding has turned to understanding. It is often through tragedy that we come to these realisations about ourselves.
  • Mastery comes through repetition. There is not short cut or fast-track. We need to decide on our goal and work relentlessly until we reach it.
  • If you decide that your business must run with a team, then make sure you trust that team to do that job for you. Put the right people in place and empower them.

    • BEST MOMENTS

    ‘I wanted to do something big. I wanted to do something epic’

    ‘If you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’re going to finish’

    ’I did it because I want to save my son’s life, and he can’t do Ironman’

    ‘I do my best never to judge someone’

    ‘I want a treatment that prolongs life’

    ‘What happened to me changed me in so many ways’

    ’Nobody told me to give up’

    ‘Repetition, repetition, repetition'

    ‘When you empower someone to do their job, they will fly’

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

     

    More With Moreira Podcast

    Harrison’s Fund - https://harrisonsfund.com

    Harrison’s Fund Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harrisonsfund/

    Harrison’s Fund Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HarrisonsFund/

     Alex Smith LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smith-b4209a4/?originalSubdomain=uk

    Harrison’s Fund Twitter - https://twitter.com/harrisonsfund?lang=en

    ABOUT THE HOST

     

    I don’t know how this works, but you’re here now listening (hopefully) about my exciting life, so I’m going to try and make this worth your while. I never got inspired at school, I was too busy trying to impress my peers, chasing girls, and being a fool to get inspired. I rejected school. But let me tell you something for free! That was a mistake! I spent the next 15 years in jobs I hated, with no direction, lacked purpose, and motivation for life. Yes, big words, but that was me in a box. A slave to the system! Fast forward to today, and well, I’m not sitting in my ivory tower or anything, but I love life and my career. Yeah, it’s both painful and exciting rolled and wrapped up into one giant subway, and who doesn’t love subway rite? The point is, you only get one life, don’t waste it pursuing things you care nothing for, invest in YOURSELF and grow as a person, be the best YOU by putting YOU first!  

     

    CONTACT METHOD

    http://desmondmoreira.co.uk

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6eVOt1YEQD0dxNkRXevVg/featured

    https://twitter.com/Desmondmoreira

    https://www.instagram.com/desmondmoreira

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    More With Moreira: The Business PodcastBy Desmond Moreira