My Passion: Climbing Hills While Gaining Perspective

Climbing hills became a passion of mine in my early thirties, when I moved back to Scotland after nearly a decade in Warwickshire. We had settled in a beautiful village just outside Glasgow, and with the hills quite literally on my doorstep, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to get out there and start walking.

It was more than just convenience, though. I have an inherited heart condition, which makes high-energy sports difficult, and I needed something that would keep me healthy. Hill walking became the perfect answer. It offered a challenge, but also peace and perspective.I find that same perspective flows into my work with TAB. I often encourage my members to step back from their day-to-day pressures. When you’re climbing, you don’t have much choice but to do precisely that. Some of my best thinking happens when I’m walking. It gives me space to reflect, connect the dots, and return with a clearer understanding.

In 2014, I took on a challenge that pushed me to my limits. A few years earlier, I’d undergone open-heart surgery. With that behind me, I decided to climb to Everest Base Camp, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation in the process. It was a huge undertaking, and not one I ever took lightly. But it taught me something that applies to both walking and business: you will face obstacles, you will hit patches where progress feels slow, and you’ll need to adapt, find a new route, and keep going.

And when you do, the rewards are incredible. The higher you go, the better the view. Progress brings perspective. You can see the bigger picture, spot new opportunities, and appreciate how far you’ve already come. That moment of reaching the summit makes all the effort worthwhile, and then it’s on to the next challenge.

If I had to pick my favourite moment, it would be reaching the top of Ben Nevis with my son, Logan, who was just seven at the time. I can still picture him perched on top of the cairn, looking for all the world like a wee ventriloquist’s dummy. A proud and funny memory rolled into one.Walking has become an integral part of my everyday routine. I block out time to walk to and from meetings, making sure I get that fresh air and space to think. It helps me to focus, lifts my mood, and keeps me grounded.

My advice to anyone trying to balance their passion with running a business is simple: don’t ignore it. In fact, when you feel like you’re too busy to step away, that’s usually the time you need it most. Protecting your well-being isn’t optional, and finding something that helps you relax and reset is vital.

If there’s one lesson I’ve taken from climbing hills, it’s this: life is busy, and it can be tough. However, if you take a step back, spend time in nature, and give yourself perspective, the path forward often becomes clearer.