VIRTUAL INSANITY

I think we can all agree that life in lockdown has been tough. Here in Dubai, life is trying to find a new normal and people are slowly starting to venture-out and to try to put life back on track. While things are indeed opening-up, with new restrictions in place, the last place I want to be at the moment is a gym. I was, however, looking to try and get in some exercise as both a mental and physical outlet. To that end, I decided to invest in a bicycle here in Dubai. After some research, I found Wolfi’s Bike Shop and picked-up a Bergamont mountain bike. In addition, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I heard about the Conqueror Virtual Fitness Challenges. These challenges allow you to take part in virtual experiences that take you to places around the world and offer you the opportunity to work on your fitness while earning some spectacular bling. In addition, the community around the Conqueror Virtual Fitness Challenges are a wonderful bunch who virtually cheerlead from the digital sidelines.

Conquer Your Fitness Goals With Every Mile That You Do!

Thus far, I have completed 3 virtual challenges:

The English Channel - 21 miles
The Inca Trail - 26.2 miles
The Great Ocean Road - 149 miles

I am halfway through the Hadrian's Wall challenge that takes you across the 90 miles along the historic Hadrian’s Wall path across the north of England, and will complete my starter pack. Once that is complete, I will be moving on to the newly released 124 mile long Ring of Kerry.

One of the great things about the Conqueror Challenges is that it #Gamifies working out and brings an element of fun to exercise. In addition, it keeps you focused and challenged. On certain routes, you get fun virtual postcards sent to you as you continue on your fitness journey, I use the Strava app on my iPhone and it directly posts to the Conqueror Challenges platform and allows me to track my progress. In addition, I also get updates on my journey via Google Street View, which is very cool!

If you are looking to find a new way to get out, get moving and earn some bling, I would highly recommend checking-out the Conqueror Virtual Fitness Challenges.

AMERICA IS NOT JUST A COUNTRY IT'S AN IDEA

As a young boy growing up in Leeds, England, I was caught in the spell of America from a very young age. During my life, I have been fortunate to live and explore many parts of the world. Last year, I became a US citizen. I am proud of my dual citizenship, but at times fearful for the world we have made. During this difficult time for not only America but the world, I reminded of the speech given by Bono at Georgetown University in 2014.

“America is ‘an idea.’ That’s how we see you around the world, as one of the greatest ideas in human history” - Bono

This 4th of July I am hopeful that we the people will find ways to work together on important, impactful ideas that we can turn into reality. It is high time to right the ship, a ship filled with tired, poor and huddled masses. It is time to focus on finding ways to offer health, happiness and prosperity for all. It is time to empower those yearning to breathe free, to support those who have for so long been cast aside. It is high time we lived in a world not just for the few, but the many.

https://bit.ly/AmericaisanIdea

Melting into the summer

It is getting so hot here in Dubai that the gold leaf on the buildings is melting. Sadly, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, there will be no international travel this summer. Instead of spending time in Mexico and the US as normal, I will be in Dubai with the family trying to find fun tings to do whilst avoiding the hotter-than-the-surface-of-the-sun temperatures, while wearing our masks and socially distancing. Any suggestions are welcomed. Answers on a postcard, please.