In this episode, Kat sits down with Simon and his 11-year-old son Charlie for a conversation about what really happens when you swap screen time for summit climbs and running challenges. From facing biting winds on Ben Nevis to pushing through rainy conditions, Charlie opens up about overcoming doubt, building resilience, and finding strength through physical challenges.
Together, Simon and Charlie reveal that embracing challenges isn’t just about building physical endurance—it’s also about shaping who you are and will become. How it builds the kind of grit life demands and strengthens family bonds.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Getting outside and taking on physical challenges with your children really opens up the channels of communication between parent and child.
Being motivated to help his son to meet and enjoy physical challenges, meant that Simon once again became fit enough to climb mountains – a pastime he thought was no longer possible for him to enjoy.
Long runs, mountain climbing, and training have equipped Charlie with more than physical endurance. They’ve given him a toolkit for staying focused and being ready to weather the challenges life will throw up.
When the rain’s pouring or motivation is running low, Charlie and Simon still put on their shoes and get out there. Remaining consistent no matter what, builds resilience and improves your ability to fully commit to something both now and in the future.
Just like muscles, mental toughness gets weaker if you stop using it. Resilience isn’t something you build once and keep forever; it’s forged and maintained by regularly putting yourself in demanding situations, so your mindset stays as strong as your body.
BEST MOMENTS
“You should be putting yourself in a place of discomfort regularly so you then have that confidence that you can tap into something when you need it.”
“In a way, running or the sea is the vehicle for having this natural conversation, which makes it not about the conversation. It takes the pressure off.”
“Just try always, try your hardest.”
“Whenever you're facing something that seems impossible, I can almost guarantee it will always be possible, if you just try and try until the very end.”
ABOUT THE HOST
Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting, working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship and career. She suffered a severe breakdown and lost everything. In the middle of this she got headhunted for her first CEO role. She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.
She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger
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