I can't believe I'm writing this! I've got a spot to run the London Marathon 2026!!

5 months ago if you'd have asked me if I wanted to go for a run. I would have said something like "running, why the hell would I do something that silly"

Since January, I've been running once or twice a week. We even set up our own little run club called "Run for Buns", so that we could get out with some of our lifting team and be more active instead of just lifting heavy circles.

After being inspired by people running marathons, I got it into my head that I could do one in the future. So I did what every sane person would do... I signed up for the London Marathon Ballot.

Since I run my own coaching business, I've had the absolute honour of coaching a lad called Jay. He is the kindest and most wholesome character I have had the pleasure to meet; his laugh lights up the room, and he inspires us all to keep pushing our boundaries.

We met back in 2021 when I was the head of a weightlifting club. When he first came to me, he didn't know how to squat without assistance. Over the years, he's gone from struggling with a bodyweight squat to now being a huge member of our Olympic Weightlifting team @stoicstrengthsystems and also taking part in BJJ.

Ordinarily, that would be a huge feat for anyone. But you see, Jay suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Because of that, he is unable to have a job and relies on his disability benefits. Yet every week, I see him at the gym because it will improve his quality of life. I've chosen Sense because of the work they do for disability. They give them accessibility, humility and support. Without them, some people would be left without support because the welfare system can't support them.

I'm doing this to show Jay that if he can turn up every day and improve his quality of life through his struggles, then I can do something out of my comfort zone, too and run a marathon. Jay, we love you and I'm so proud to have you as part of our team, to help me improve as a coach, but most importantly as a friend ❤️

Thank you to @sensecharity for the opportunity to represent this amazing charity!