~ Field Notes ~
Helping TV personality, Lorraine Kelly, zipline off Wellington arch for charity awareness!
In December 2012, whilst leading the team responsible for raising awareness of the Royal Marines, we were tasked with coordinating a stunt featuring British TV personality Lorraine Kelly to zipline off the top of the Wellington Arch in central London to launch the Uk4u Thanks! Christmas campaign, which aimed to send Christmas boxes to servicemen and women stationed abroad that year!
We had already been involved in various high-profile events and had now arrived in the bustling heart of the city to set up the zipline. With limited space beneath the archway, we had to rig the zipline to a heavy vehicle and carefully position safety barriers to ensure the stunt's success without obstructing photographers and videographers. An epic and fun task to round off a busy year..!
A road trip through the Atlas Mountains to the set of ‘Baghdad Central’.
In November 2018, I found myself in Ouarzazate (aka the ‘Hollywood of Morocco’), working alongside Corey Stoll, the Hollywood star of ‘The Bourne Legacy’, ‘Ant-Man’, and TV series, ‘House of Cards’, on the set of ‘Baghdad Central’, a gripping TV drama series set against the backdrop of post-invasion Iraq, following the harrowing story of Muhsin al-Khafaji, a former Iraqi police inspector desperate to find his daughter amidst the chaos, for which I got an IMDB credit for. Read on to hear about unexpected wardrobe blunders and what it’s like as a performer on set.
London calling: The time I planned and coordinated a live TV stunt in central London, with speed boats and Bear Grylls!
In early 2015, I found myself immersed in an intriguing endeavour: planning and coordinating a live TV stunt with Bear Grylls and ITV studios.
It all began in early February when I received an email trail proposing an exciting concept to launch the new series of ‘Mission: Survive.’
The plan involved speeding up the Thames River in London with Bear, dropping him on a sandbank near ITV studios, and orchestrating a thrilling surprise as he climbed a rope and swung through the window, surprising Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on the daytime TV show, ‘This Morning.’
It was far from an ordinary Friday morning, to say the least!
Learning to fly: A 1000-mile road trip down the US coast to learn skydiving
Working alongside the US Marines in Quantico, Virginia, near Washington DC in 2010, I had a chance to participate in an accelerated free fall (AFF) skydiving course that overlooked the awe-inspiring Cape Canaveral space centre. The catch? It was a thousand-mile roadtrip to Titusville, Florida.
Beginning with ground school, the dramatic journey to becoming a licensed skydiver would see me jumping out of a twin-turboprop Super King Air aircraft at 17,500 ft with the iconic Kennedy Space Centre in the background, and see me experiencing a parachute malfunction at 3,000 ft!
Exploring the incredible Haapsalu castle as a digital nomad in Estonia
As a digital nomad in Estonia, I've been exploring the country's many castles, and Haapsalu Castle is one of my favorites. This well-preserved medieval fortress is located in the coastal town of Haapsalu and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The castle grounds are beautiful, with a moat and drawbridge, and the museum inside is perfect for families. Visitors can learn about the castle's history, see a variety of artefacts, and climb to the top of the main tower for panoramic views. Guided tours are available in multiple languages, making it a great day trip from Tallinn.
Exploring the spooky tunnels hidden beneath Tallinn’s old town
I’ve been walking around Tallinn as a digital nomad for almost a year now, and had no idea there are these spooky, yet intriguing tunnels hidden underneath the old town!
The tunnels are essentially a network of underground tunnels that were built in the 17th century to help defend Tallinn's Old Town against invading armies and run underneath the city's defensive walls and connect several of the city's bastions, which are fortified structures that were used to protect the city's gates and walls.
Meeting your heroes 1: Danny Macaskill, at BBC New Broadcasting House
In 2016, whilst working at the BBC, I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with professional freeride mountainbiker and YouTube sensation, Danny Macaskill.
He performed a short sequence on BBC News and found creative ways to bring the office to life for sports enthusiasts like myself.
Danny rose to fame in 2009 with his viral video "Inspired Bicycles" and has since collaborated with Red Bull and other extreme sports athletes. Working at the BBC gave me insight into how it all works behind the scenes, setting me up for future ambitions.
Finding the Raketa Shipwreck
As I approached the Raketa shipwreck, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
The massive logistics vessel had been stranded in Estonia's Lahemaa National Park for over 50 years, its rusted exterior standing as a testament to the passage of time.
Despite its age, the shipwreck exuded a certain magnetism, drawing me closer to explore its secrets. As I learned about the ship's fascinating history, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to witness such a unique landmark.
If you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, make sure to add the Raketa shipwreck to your itinerary when visiting Lahemaa National Park.
Exploring an old Soviet submarine demagnetizing base in the Lahemaa national park, Estonia
Imagine stumbling upon an abandoned Soviet submarine base while cycling through Estonia's beautiful Lahemaa National Park. That's exactly what happened to me, and I couldn't believe the well-preserved history that lay before me.
Built during World War II, the Hara Submarine Base played a crucial role in the Cold War, and today you can explore its underground facilities, learn about its fascinating past, and even stay in beautiful glamping cabins.
But beware, this captivating venue comes with its own set of dangers, so be sure to take necessary precautions before exploring its abandoned structures.
How to plan for a world record attempt
In 2016, I set my first world record when I successfully completed the London marathon carrying a 100-lb backpack, something that had never been done on record before (I suspect people have completed it before so I don’t think of myself as being the first to have ever done it).
The process was something I get asked about by adventurers after hearing my Tales of Adventure podcast, and so I decided to document the process for others who also want to enter the Guinness book of records.
‘Crossing the line’ with King Neptune, at ‘Null Island’
The ‘Crossing the Line’ ceremony is a traditional initiation rite that is held when a ship crosses the Equator. It is a time-honoured naval tradition that has been observed by many navies around the world, including the Royal Navy.
As relative newbies to maritime environment, we had to pay our dues to Neptune in order to get safe passage for the rest of our trip. During the ceremony, all sailors who have not previously crossed the Equator, are initiated into the "Order of the Shellback" by seasoned sailors who have crossed the Equator before. The ceremony typically involves a series of hilarious rituals, designed to induct the new initiates into a class of experienced ocean goers.
A long run in the Hindu Kush: What it’s like to run a marathon in remote Afghanistan.
In 2017, I visited Afghanistan to meet athletes redefining their future through adventure sports. These inspiring people - skiers, mountain bikers, marathon runners and parkour gymnasts, are pushing boundaries in the direst of circumstance, and I wanted to help them document the change going on in the country.
Daily security issues plague the capital Kabul and it’s assessed that the Taliban affects almost half the country.
But there are oases of relative safety in this place. Following the athletes’ example; I sought my own challenge and decided to run a marathon in a safe region that was not plagued by conflict.
Thriving below zero: an Antarctic experience with the Frozen Dagger expedition
After designing his expedition’s branding in 2022, I travelled to Umeå, northern Sweden, to meet Sam Cox, a former Royal Marines Commando officer, and see how he is preparing for a world-record breaking expedition to the South Pole at the end of 2023.
Entitled the ‘Frozen Dagger’ project, Sam will be skiing almost 2000 kilometres in the name of biomedical sciences and human performance, whilst also fundraising for the Movember and Rock to Recovery charities. A hugely inspiring endeavour, I’m sure you’ll agree!
What businesses get from supporting expeditions, and how to get them to support yours in 2023
To increase your chances of success of getting an expedition paid for (and to stop you wasting your precious free time), you should understand a little about the mechanics of how business works, and the sales and marketing functions of it, otherwise you’ll probably be wasting your time approaching people who don’t have the money to support you, don’t see the value in your project, or a combination of both.
Bridging the gap - my experiences helping to rebuild Nepal after the 2015 earthquake.
In November 2015, several months after the earthquake - I fly to Nepal with Tim, Umesh and Matt – all veterans at various stages of their own rehabilitation. I use this word carefully as leaving the military isn’t something you can ever prepare for. It’s scary, intimidating and stressful – essentially changing everything about your life in a 12-month period. The effects, of which, are still felt many years afterwards.
Visiting Kuressaare castle on Saaremaa island
One of the best parts about being a digital nomad in Estonia, is getting to work from anywhere and explore all the interesting parts of this beautiful Baltic country, and the island of Saaremaa does not disappoint on this!
If you’re knowledge of Estonia isn’t all that, Saaremaa is the largest island of over 2000, and located in the Baltic Ocean to the west of Tallinn. It is known for its natural beauty, historic landmarks, and traditional way of life. The island has a population of around 35,000 people (Not far off the population of Kendal) and covers an area of 2600 square kilometres, which is about half the size of Northumberland.
Visiting the Kaali crater in Estonia, a gigantic lake created by a huge meteorite!
Saaremaa Island in Estonia is home to a fascinating natural wonder that’s not well known outside the country: the Kaali crater. As a digital nomad, I had the pleasure of visiting this unique group of nine meteorite craters during my time in Estonia, and it was a truly unforgettable experience!
Despite the snow-covered landscape during my visit in winter, the craters were still a sight to behold. Information boards located near the craters provided in-depth knowledge about their formation and significance, making it a great experience for those interested in geology and the history of our planet.
The 10 best things about being a digital nomad in Estonia in 2023
If you’re seriously considering a year as a digital nomad, whether that’s to explore the world, setup a virtual business, or both, I strongly urge you to put Estonia at the top of your list for all the reasons I mention below – however don’t be surprised if you don’t want to return back to your country of origin at the end of it!
Secondly, I make no apologies for being so enthusiastic about the place, I’ve travelled in over 60 countries across the world and feel like I’ve found somewhere that is truly remarkable for many good reasons that people aren’t yet aware of.
What it's like to walk the London marathon carrying a 100-lb backpack, to set a world record
So it just happened. The idea. It kept on coming back to me, over and over again. Like I could just reach out and touch it. If he could carry an 80-lb. pack for 26.2 miles – then maybe I could do it with a 100-lb. (45.36kg) pack. I was surprised no-one had ever done it – I've had one or two podium places in low level Taekwondo competitions, but nothing quite on this scale. Nothing that would put me the best at something in the entire world!
It's daunting when you say it out loud: The; Entire; World.
Compound adventures: why breaking long endeavours down into bite-size pieces is good for us millennials
As a millennial, we find ourselves caught between life chapters also: buying a property; starting a family; launching a business; concentrating on a career; or just jack them all in to go and climb mountains; live in a van or sail around the world.
The idea of big, wieldy goals seems great when you’re in your twenties but not hugely achievable as your responsibilities to family, career, or a mortgage mount up in your thirties and forties.