Some years ago, I had been contracted by the BBC to be a part of the show BBC Special Forces Ultimate Hell week and had travelled to South Africa to the filming of the episode I was to host. Having done this, I was very blessed and fortunate to meet some really talented and special people in the process.  These contestants in the show, showed me that all of them could and they all did.

Being involved in the lives of others and being able to influence them, and to be influenced by them, I thought to share some stories from the show about “all of us can … most of us won’t” with you.

Katy Parrot is a strong and determined young woman who likes adventure and likes to challenge herself in life, and she did really well on the show. Having completed the show, Katy returned home and joined the Territorial Army (Reserves). She told me that she has come to realize that she is capable of more than she thought possible and has now offered some of her time to helping others. This is a great testimony of what leadership looks like and pushing through hardships to realize that you can offer more than what you thought possible. It has been great to see her develop and grow and serve admirably after the show.

Ben Blowes is a roofer by trade and an accomplished athlete, business owner and respected father who has gone on to complete the London Marathon with a tumble dryer on his back, earning him a place in the Guinness World Book of Records. This change in attitude was due to the participation in the show and being pushed beyond what he thought possible. He raised funds for a charity in his efforts in the marathon and is planning to row across the Atlantic in 2018 with Gary, to raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause. In December 2020, he  ran 31 marathons in 31 days to raise money for the Tom’s Trust charity which cares for families of children with brain tumors, he raised 7 times what he set out to raise, a staggering 300 000 USD, he is legendary in his giving.

Gary Burch, also an accomplished business owner and respected father has gone on to swim for charity, and embarked on a 100-mile endurance event in the Sahara Desert to raise more funds for diabetes in children. Gary, who came from humble beginnings, is still involved with children from the estates, teaching them boxing. He continues to this day to be involved in charitable events and is currently hosting a 24 hour event for cancer. This man too is legendary and has offered himself tirelessly for the sake of others.

Lastly, and by no means least is, Grant Flynn, a flamboyant and dynamic Scot who has a very keen interest in the fine art of dancing. As a contestant he was a very keen and positive competitor and has subsequently gone on to be a keen campaigner for Who Dares Cares, a non-profit organization that deals with military veterans dealing with the aftermath of combat. Grant is an avid campaigner of this group as a result of his involvement in the show.  He still gives selflessly of his time and efforts in support of others.

And there is also everybody else who was on the show who did very well and some not so well, but the one thing they had in common was that they all had enough courage to give it a go. A lot of people never make the effort to even have a go for fear of failure, but it is in the failing that we realize our weaknesses and are able to improve ourselves and be better.

There are more stories just like these and the thing that impresses me, and that I want to impress upon you is this – they all could … and they all did.

The overwhelming lessons for me from these people are the following:

• We all have a talent of some sorts, but what we do with it is up to us.

• Don’t let life, or anyone in life, tell you that you can’t do something of use.

• We all have something to offer to others.

Sometimes we are so caught up in life that we fail to see the opportunities we have to give something to others, we fail to see that we have something valuable to give to others, even a kind word, a pat on the back, a high five or a smile.

Take a while to see the opportunities and to help someone who might desperately need it today.

Let us not ever be weary of doing good … all of us can!

Be driven by love and fueled by desire