Have role models shaped your career?
Sometimes we might not even realise at the time – it is only in looking back can we see the influence that has shaped our lives.
I have had 3 famous role models in my life.
I can’t really explain why – it was just something that drew me in at different points of my life.
- Bob Geldof
- Pirmin Zurbriggen
- David Beckham
The list seems a very unlikely bunch of disconnected people to have as role models – but each shaped my life at the time. It is only now, many years later, that I can see the connections of the individual jigsaw pieces.
Bob Geldolf – musician, something of a rebel, someone who wasn’t prepared to accept ‘the rules’. He was watching the news and saw the feminine in Ethiopia. Unlike the many others who saw the same, he decided he would take action – Band Aid was formed, that later went on to become a Live Aid concert – we take it for granted now that concerts raise money for causes, but at the time, this was unprecedented. This man stepped outside the box to challenge what he deemed unacceptable and achieved something beyond extraordinary – he changed history.
Pirmin Zurbriggen – ski racer, quiet mountain man, someone who was shy and unassuming but had an inner strength of steel. He became one of the most iconic and successful ski racers in history. He pushed himself to the limits with extraordinary faith in himself and God to achieve a long list of world championship wins and the Olympic gold medal in Calgary 1988. He told me in 2021 about his mindset the night before that race: he read his Bible that night and felt calm, unlike the nerves of other racers, he had ‘nothing to lose’ so just went for it – pushing the very edge of his limits.
David Beckham – footballer and now global icon, started life as a shy boy with a singular passion – football. He worked hard and never took his skills for granted, he grafted and made sacrifices to achieve being signed by a premier club. Things did not always go his way – he became subjected to ‘national hate’ after being sent off in 1998 world cup. It broke him but didn’t beat him. His strength of mindset and character, along with close family and friends supporting, he later became captain of England and one of the most celebrated footballers in history.
Each of my role models pushed the boundaries, each have extraordinary achievements due to their mindset and ability to work hard on achieving their dreams. All faced barriers – none gave up, even when it would have been easier to accept defeat.
It is the strength of character and mindset that drew me in.
Each shaped my own belief that anything is possible to achieve if you set your mind to it… and that is how I have lived my life ever since.
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