Matt Rhodes’ Post

The countdown is on! 6 days to go until I do my 10km race for life. In the past 6 weeks I have ran: - 20 x 5km - 2 x 8km - 1 x 9km - 1 x 10km And I've also signed up for a half marathon at the end of September 😱 Things I've learned running this time round: 1. Food is fuel, make sure you eat enough to enjoy your runs! 2. Don't try to compete with others, go your natural pace. 3. Plan your routes so you know what distance you're going to do and you don't have to free style. 4. Wear proper supporting shoes, I've done this for a few years, but before doing so my knees used to hurt so much! 5. Running vest is a game changer! Loving the process and feeling the benefits physically and mentally! If anyone wants to donate to the cause, I'll post a link in the comments below ♥️

Former colleagues/customers/partners, When we found out my daughter Ali wasn't going to be able to see (she had very limited vision that we knew would be totally gone by age seven) there were a lot of decisions that needed to be made. One of the best choices was to have her learn braille. Through her own hard work, and that of my wife and a fantastic braille teacher she mastered braille which was an incredible enabler for her.   My family will once again be participating in Braille Across America in order to support National Braille Press (NBP) who produces reading material for the blind. The program kicks off on Sunday March 17th (the birthday of NBP) and ends on the date of the Boston Marathon. During that time our team members will each be covering the equivalent of two marathons via either running, walking, biking, jumping jacks, to generate awareness for NBP.  It cost THREE times more to produce a book in braille than it does in print. Donations help cover the difference so that braille books are available for the same price they are in print because NBP believes a blind person should not have to pay more for the same information a sighted person pays. That information not only includes books, but tech manuals, reference material, schedules, calendars, etc. that we mostly take for granted I know there are a number of good causes many provide support to. If you choose to give to NBP rets assured that you are giving to a great organization that would really benefit from your help in extending their mission. If you think the cause is worthwhile we'd also ask that you share this post in hopes that more people become aware of NBP. https://lnkd.in/e-2rXu7H

"I can't feel my Legs" I'm doing a lot more cycling at the minute! I did a decent amount in 2023 but 2024 is the year I've decided to take on my next decent sized physical challenge... You see on the 26th of May I'll be doing the Ride London Bike Ride - 100 miles through London and Essex, and I've just realised how much work I've got to do. I'll do what I always do when it comes to stuff like this. Know the longer term goal (survive the 100 miles!), break down the goal into the small actions I need to take, get help and support from experts if I need it and do the work! In actual fact I have been doing the work...which is the reason I can't feel my legs at the minute!   I also know that, for one reason or another, the plan I put in place will have to evolve over time! One thing we will be doing is hoping to raise money for a great cause too. We're working out (as Cervello Financial Planning) on a charity we love to support on this one (we still love the amazing work that Saint Francis Hospice does and will continue to help them in many other ways throughout the year) but there will be a Just Giving page up on this soon! However, what I'm interested in talking about today is goals, and I'm curious, how do you set your goals? What's your number #1 tip on getting to the 'finish line', be it in fitness, money or life?

Hello Linkedin. Next weekend I am running the Edinburgh Marathon in aid of Campaign Against Living Miserably, the leading male suicide prevention charity. Friends, old colleagues and prospects who have since ignored me, I would be very grateful for any donations. https://lnkd.in/ev2Qe7a8. Keeping true to the 'here's what X taught me about B2B sales' craze hitting Linkedin, I thought I'd add my 2 cents on sales and marathon training: 1. It's about getting the reps in: Whether ensuring you are speaking to enough market participants to generate opportunities, or lacing up your trainers for that aching long run you don't want to do, it's about getting enough practice in and shooting enough shots. It's about making those calls, emails and runs when you really don't feel like it. 2. Sound like an expert: It is important to enhance your position as an advisory figure in the sales process by demonstrating your skills and knowledge within your field. Similarly, the more you know about carbon plates in trainers, which sunglasses are coolest, which gels to use and which vests are best will enhance performance. In both cases, actually knowing your stuff is secondary to just sounding like you do. 3. Mindset: it's all about believing in yourself. You need that dawg in you. 4. Look good, feel good, run/sell good (well). 5. Overcoming unsuccessful periods: you will have bad runs, you will lose important deals. It's about brushing yourself off to be at your best for the next one. 6. Find your why: if I must be subjected to corporate mundanity, then it ought to be for something I believe in. For me, contributing to the fight against climate change and scaling finance to climate projects is worth the labour of salesmanship. If pestering heads of sustainability is my role, i'll take it. For running, you need to find your why, whether that's to look good, enhance your health and performance or meet eligible suitors at your local run club.

The activities we do beyond our careers often have an outsized impact on our lives and shape who we are in a way that often reverberates in our work. If you know me, you know that I am a passionate birder. This hobby fuels my curiosity, attenuates my senses, gets me out into nature, and has connected me to some of the most wonderful people I've ever met. I am a better human because of it, and I recommend birding to everybody. To raise money for the fantastic Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, I (along with some other brilliant birders) compete in the annual Birding Cup! Please consider donating at the link in the comments to support our team in our effort to bring home the cup (it would be our second win, NBD). Also, if you're curious about birding, let me know, and I'll be happy to share tips and tricks and maybe even take you out into the field sometime! Here's a fun bird fact for those who are curious: The chimney swift is a common, swallow-like bird seen in the skies of eastern North America. Once you learn to spot them, you'll see them flying around nearly every day during the warm months in Pittsburgh. What you won't see is one land. They are highly specialized for flight and have very reduced feet (they are part of the clade Apodiformes, which stands for footless forms and also includes the hummingbirds). They cannot land on horizontal surfaces, walk, or really do much terrestrial stuff other than cling to vertical surfaces like the chimneys and hollow trees that they nest in. In fact, when they aren't breeding, they can go MONTHS without landing at all!

Sam's Solo Story! 🚣♂️ • Everything has changed...and with Jake now taking a key land support role, it has turned an already incredible challenge, into something truly phenomenal. 😲 • Rowing an ocean solo, is a different beast. Ocean rowing is a very small world full of amazing people...but those that choose to take this on as a solo...they're a cut above. 😯 • But in Sam's case, whilst he has chosen this path, it wasn't the expected path...and that not only shows courage and determination, but also an unmatched ability to adapt to major change. 🙌 • In just 3 weeks time Sam will fly out to La Gomera to make the final preparations. Last minute adjustments to the boat, last minute safety briefings, and comms testing. 🔧📡 • Share this story, tell everyone you know...THIS is going to be genuinely mind blowing! 🤯 • Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the row - please get in touch today - either by e-mailing sam@entrepreneurship2023.co.uk or messaging us on social media. 👍 • Online charitable donations can be made at https://lnkd.in/ea2QSgst 🌐 • #TES2023 #atlantic2023 #worldstoughestrow #theentrepreneurship #theentrepreneurship2023 #oceanrowers #oceanrowing #adventure #voyage #unltd #socialentrepreneurs #charity #fundraising #solo #allchange

I love this story... Sebastian Bates runs a business with a purpose beyond making money. While growing his martial arts business, Warrior Academy, Seb decided he wanted to make a bigger impact in the world. He launched the Bates Foundation to help children in developing countries learn martial arts to support them and improve their skills. There are countless entrepreneurs using their business, their connections and their knowledge to help people in need. You should have a purpose beyond making money. I encourage you to take some time to think about what that is for you. #entrepreneurs #charity #businessforgood

First rule of ocean rowing club: Don't get shot! 😬 • As the team are training around the coast of Britain - it presents a LOT of challenges...probably much more than they'll have to deal with on the Atlantic. 🌊 • In the middle of the ocean, there isn't very much traffic, there are very few rocks, there are no noticeable tides, and if the worst comes to the worst you can just lock yourself in the cabin and wait out the storm. 🌩️ • On the British coastline however....that can't happen. Lot's of sticky up bits to crash into, loads of traffic, strong tidal currents....and, it turns out, giant firing ranges to steer clear of! 🔫 • Remember, when Jake Chapman and Sam row the Atlantic later this year, they are hoping to raise £250,000 for the charity UnLtd 💰 • Sponsorship opportunities are now available - please get in touch today - either by e-mailing sam@entrepreneurship2023.co.uk or messaging us on social media. 👍 • Online charitable donations can be made at https://lnkd.in/ea2QSgst 🌐 • #TES2023 #atlantic2023 #worldstoughestrow #theentrepreneurship #theentrepreneurship2023 #oceanrowers #oceanrowing #adventure #voyage #unltd #socialentrepreneurs #charity #fundraising #rowing #philanthropy #firingrange #dangeratsea

First half marathon done 💥 So how was it? Awful. So, will I run a half marathon again? Yes, probably. Lets give my legs a little more time to recover first 😄 Why would I do it again? There is something profoundly satisfying about conquering the physical and mental challenge of it. That is the paradox of running and the paradox of joy - isn't it? If one thinks about it, running is a strange thing that humans do. There is almost a primal instinct within us to run and to challenge ourselves. I mean 20,000 people participated in the Big Half this weekend from across the entire spectrum of society, for what? Yes to raise money for various important causes but even beyond that people run because it makes us feel good. Some thoughts: 1. You have to run your own race at your own pace. 2. It takes discipline, consistency and most importantly time to achieve results. 3. A little encouragement from others can go a long way towards helping one achieve ones goals. 4. Success often resides on the other side of difficulties. We often have to push ourselves beyond the point of difficulty to achieve success. The biggest lesson I learnt from my friend Ed (pictured below) was about being kind and selfless. He ran the entire race alongside me encouraging me and giving all the kids on route high fives. This reminded me that one should always try and see the bigger picture, it easy to become self absorbed in ones own personal records and individual glory. Sometimes, humility and service to others matters more than showcasing our abilities. In the grand scheme of things our actions and how we uplift others matters greatly and can make the biggest difference. I am sure its been said somewhere before but I think that, True greatness isn't measured by what we can do for ourselves but by what we can do for others. I would really like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts to raise money for the Curlew Rowing Club. If you would still like to make a donation link below: https://lnkd.in/e4X2v-Ke #thebighalf #firsthalfmarathon #rowingfundraiser #londonlawyers

���Why would anyone put themselves through that torture?” This is a question I commonly get asked when my marathon training comes up. They are 1/2 joking. They are 1/2 serious. It’s a valid question. I get it. Here are my three reasons for why I do it and truthfully it starts with reasons that are not about me. It’s about others. One thing I have learned is when you attach goals to something bigger than yourself i.e. family, kids etc you will push through hard times whereas if it’s just about yourself people often quit. So here they are: 1) To be an example to my daughters that we can do hard things no matter your age and no matter how hard something may seem at first. If you work hard (the right way) you will get rewarded. I never had anything handed to me and I feel we live in a time of entitlement and I don’t support it. So showing my daughters that you can do hard things and achieve big goals if you are willing to take ownership and put in the hard work. 2) For Isabella Brinkerhoff and the Special Olympics. Most of you know my best friend Brink, who was killed in the line of duty on 04/25/07, had one daughter Isabella who was 7 months old when he died. She’s an amazing gymnast in the Special Olympics so being to run the marathon to raise money for the athletes in the Special Olympics is very special and makes it well worth it. That’s motivation within itself. 3) Last but not least what you have to endure to run the race is harder then the race itself. The discipline and consistency to make it through the 18 weeks of training creates a level of grit, fortitude, tenacity and resilience like no other. But it then stays with you and carries over to how you show up in your personal life. Additionally, how can I expect to go on stage as a motivational speaker to challenge others to level up and be their absolute best if I am not striving to be better myself. So in the end it’s not about the actual act of running. It’s about setting an example for family, raising money for some very special kids and lastly living up to my own best potential. *Please support Isabella and the Special Olympics. I’ll drop the link in the comments. No amount too small.