In today’s Western Mail, I read with great interest a report by Huw Silk on his interview with 71 year old Sir Ranulph Fiennes who has just completed the 156 mile Marathon des Sables in Morocco – the world’s toughest foot race. What a remarkable man whose feats of endurance over his lifetime make staggering reading; 7 Marathons, Everest climbed, Antarctic and Arctic conquered, the list goes on! He has raised over £1million for charity, Marie Curie as a result of his efforts and as his Welsh Coach Rory Coleman stated, he is a ‘living James Bond!’
Moving a few pages further on in the Business Section, I read Robert Llewellyn Jones’ article on another remarkable man; 64 year old Colin Owens, an adopted Welshman who from a modest upbringing in the East of London has built up Oil 4 Wales from a start up five years ago. Oil 4 Wales is an oil distribution business which has recently been included as one of 18 Welsh companies in the London Stock Exchange 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain.
These two examples of an adventurer and an entrepreneur who even as they grow older have no intention of retiring, are the sort of role models that our young generation should really look up to and take inspiration from. Hard work, physical and mental preparation, passion, determination and positive thinking, these key ingredients can lead to success in any aspect of modern life.