Andy McMenemy is an ambassador for our campaign. He is a local business man, inspirational speaker and development coach. In 2011, Andy established a new world record with the epic feat of completing 66 ultra-marathons in 66 consecutive days in each of the 66 official cities of the UK. You can find out more about him here.
We interviewed Andy about being our ambassador, setting goals and being bitten by the running bug…
Victoria: you recently spoke at our Allied Health Professions conference. We’d love to hear your impressions of the day
Andy: it was fantastic to get a privileged insight into what your clinicians do in the Trust. I was impressed by the commitment of staff, their passion for their roles and enthusiasm for patient care. Their sense of values came through loud and clear. I had lots of chats with staff over coffee and learnt about their frustrations and worries about the future in this time of unprecedented change in the NHS. Many have worked in the NHS for many years and had seen so many changes before. They were committed to focusing on providing continuity and patient care through the changes that happen around and with them.
Victoria: please can you tell us about your key note speech; what key messages did you aim to get across?
Andy: I was keen that staff recognise that we all face circumstances outside our control, but focusing on things you can shape and influence is important. If you set yourself a dream that is important enough to you then its power will pull you through – that was my key message.
Victoria: Challenge 66 was an amazing achievement; what did you learn from your experience about learning to set and achieve your goals?
Andy: the biggest lesson learnt for me was recognising the importance of being pulled by the power of your dreams rather than being pushed by your circumstances. This is how I got through pain and injury to achieve my goal. But it applies in all aspects of my life, from massive goals through to much smaller day-to-day ones.
When I began rebalancing my life after changing direction from the corporate world, I knew I had to focus on my health and fitness. In August 2005 I decided I was going to enter a race called the Marathon des Sables, a distance of 153 miles, or 5½ marathons across the Sahara Desert in 6 days, and I secured a place for march 2007.
I joined Wetherby Road Runners club on 4 Jan 2006 and I remember that night well. At that point I couldn’t run five miles without stopping. I used to make all sorts of excuses. I said I had stitch when I didn’t have. I’d bend down to tie a shoe lace which wasn’t undone. I was unfit and I felt sorry for myself. Driving home on that first night I felt proud of myself for taking the first steps as well as daunted and excited about the task ahead of me, to cross the finish line. I achieved my goal just over a year later.
Victoria: how important was support from others in achieving your Challenge 66 goal?
Andy: a lot of people thought and told me I couldn’t succeed in the challenge I set for myself. Lots of people questioned me. I think they didn’t believe they could do it and didn’t see me as being any better than them. I wonder if they put it down to arrogance on my part. There were also people around me who supported me all the way. You need those people around you. It is so important to hear from other people’s wisdom rather than just your own experience because that’s the way you extend your knowledge. Reaching out to other people and looking for reassurance and encouragement is critical.
Victoria: how do you set a good goal?
Andy: I know when I’ve set a goal that really means something to me when I really connect to it. When I experience that tickle of adrenalin it is almost like a small electric shock – that’s when I know I’ve been bitten by the bug. You know it’s in your grasp if you can imagine yourself achieving it. My rule of thumb is that you should never let go of a goal that pops into your mind at least once a day. My top tips for setting goals are very simple – take small steps and build towards your goal incrementally. Write your goals down and put a date on them. Make your goal specific and frame it positively. If you have a set-back - reflect and recuperate, focus on what you did well and re-set your goal.
Victoria: can lessons from coaching apply to a clinical role?
Andy: I think the role of the coach and the clinician can be similar in many ways. As a coach I work with people who often have low expectations about what they can achieve. Through coaching I can help them think beyond what they thought was possible. I can help them develop a sense of belief, walk alongside them and help them to build up their confidence. From chatting to allied health professionals at the conference, this is what they do day-in-day-out. Staff can help people they support find their inspiration or even be that source of inspiration themselves.
Victoria: what was your reason for becoming an ambassador for our campaign?
Andy: I love the idea of helping people develop belief in themselves and seeing them take those first steps. I’m keen to share these messages with people doing the excellent work that takes place in the NHS and to reach people who may face disadvantage because of mental health issues or a learning disability.
Victoria: what’s next for you?
Andy: I don’t have any big challenges on the scale of Challenge 66 on my agenda. I’m currently training for the three peaks challenge to raise money for Simon on the Streets. I’m also writing a book and am doing my coaching work.
Victoria: what’s one final message you’d like to share with our members?
Andy: it’s never a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength because you know your limit, and we all need to start somewhere!
