How do I get Sponsorship?
This by far has to be the most common question I get asked and I give the same answer to everyone: Don't do it unless you have a very expensive idea - most ideas are a lot cheaper than you think. People get caught up so much in trying to get a free £200 rucksack and then having to tweet the bollocks out of it when in fact it's probably better to do a Saturday job to fund it. Yes I have gained sponsorship from many brands, and still work with them today but I have spent years working alongside these companies who I now call my friends. It didn't happen overnight.
If you do however feel you need sponsorship for something big here's what I've learned.
Why did you sell your business for £1?
I was making a statement that from that day on I wasn't going to make any decisions in my life based on my financial outcome, but rather what would make me the happiest, which after all is the purpose of life - according to Greeks anyhow!
What keeps you motivated when the times get tough?
Fear of failure is my biggest driving force. I have a recurring nightmare that I give up on something and get home and have hundreds of emails from the naysayers saying 'I told you so'. The physical pain eventually goes away. Failure stays with you forever.
Do you have a particular diet?
I don't really follow a particular diet. I generally try and eat fresh and try to limit my food miles. I don't really have much sugary food and stick away from fried anything. For the most part a lot of vegetables and some meat on the side. When I'm out on the road I just eat whatever I can find which is usually running into a supermarket. If I can get 1/3 Carb, 1/3 Fat and 1/3 Protein then I'm happy. My go to meal for calories is Chicken Korma.
How many calories do you eat a day?
When I'm really pushing it on a challenge, anywhere between 5000kcal to 8000kcal per day. Anything more than that and it's quite hard for me to fit it in my stomach.
What the ultimate goal?
Wow, I don't really know. I've always said running the length of Africa would be the final big adventure I ever do so I kinda want to wait to do it later in life.
Why do you have a beard?
I grew my beard when I swam Britain to fend of jelly fish. It stopped their tentacles touching my face. Also I think my beard gives me super powers now.
Do you think you'll go back to photography?
Not as a career. I'm getting into video more now and enjoy that to scratch my creative itch.
What happens when you get old?
No idea. Does everyone need to have a plan? I don't. I do know that when the time comes I will make a plan. If I've learned anything over the years is that we are all pretty resilient when we need to be. So I have no idea but I do secretly want to be that crazy tough PE teacher helping some of our future generation from being cotton-balled wimps. . . which is sadly happening I fear.
Whats next?
Top secret
This by far has to be the most common question I get asked and I give the same answer to everyone: Don't do it unless you have a very expensive idea - most ideas are a lot cheaper than you think. People get caught up so much in trying to get a free £200 rucksack and then having to tweet the bollocks out of it when in fact it's probably better to do a Saturday job to fund it. Yes I have gained sponsorship from many brands, and still work with them today but I have spent years working alongside these companies who I now call my friends. It didn't happen overnight.
If you do however feel you need sponsorship for something big here's what I've learned.
- Cold calling doesn't work. It's far better for you to try work on your local community or on relationships where you have a connection or a mutual friend.
- "It's easier to get £1 off a million people, than £1 million off one person." - Mr Getty
- Do your research. Find out everything about the company you have a meeting with. Be prepared
- Create a well presented PDF and print it out on good quality paper. Companies wont give money to people who they think haven't invested much in the idea themselves.
- Talk as if you are doing it anyway and they need to get on board asap, which should be the case anyway. Don't be a chancer. It wont work.
- Make a list of exactly what the company are going to get from you. A product list if you will. Talks, fundraising, logos on shirts etc. Get creative, especially if you don't have a big online presence, which most companies will demand nowadays.
- Get an online presence.
Why did you sell your business for £1?
I was making a statement that from that day on I wasn't going to make any decisions in my life based on my financial outcome, but rather what would make me the happiest, which after all is the purpose of life - according to Greeks anyhow!
What keeps you motivated when the times get tough?
Fear of failure is my biggest driving force. I have a recurring nightmare that I give up on something and get home and have hundreds of emails from the naysayers saying 'I told you so'. The physical pain eventually goes away. Failure stays with you forever.
Do you have a particular diet?
I don't really follow a particular diet. I generally try and eat fresh and try to limit my food miles. I don't really have much sugary food and stick away from fried anything. For the most part a lot of vegetables and some meat on the side. When I'm out on the road I just eat whatever I can find which is usually running into a supermarket. If I can get 1/3 Carb, 1/3 Fat and 1/3 Protein then I'm happy. My go to meal for calories is Chicken Korma.
How many calories do you eat a day?
When I'm really pushing it on a challenge, anywhere between 5000kcal to 8000kcal per day. Anything more than that and it's quite hard for me to fit it in my stomach.
What the ultimate goal?
Wow, I don't really know. I've always said running the length of Africa would be the final big adventure I ever do so I kinda want to wait to do it later in life.
Why do you have a beard?
I grew my beard when I swam Britain to fend of jelly fish. It stopped their tentacles touching my face. Also I think my beard gives me super powers now.
Do you think you'll go back to photography?
Not as a career. I'm getting into video more now and enjoy that to scratch my creative itch.
What happens when you get old?
No idea. Does everyone need to have a plan? I don't. I do know that when the time comes I will make a plan. If I've learned anything over the years is that we are all pretty resilient when we need to be. So I have no idea but I do secretly want to be that crazy tough PE teacher helping some of our future generation from being cotton-balled wimps. . . which is sadly happening I fear.
Whats next?
Top secret
