Adventure Athlete

everest climb

I first met Mark while competing against him in the North Pole Marathon and was immediately impressed by his positivity, resilience and determination. To take on endurance challenges in places like The Arctic, Himalaya and Gobi Desert requires great courage and mental strength. The fact that Mark has completed these adventures after losing his sight makes him truly inspiring.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Explorer

Since losing his sight in 1998, Mark Pollock has had to dig deep to redefine his life. Already an international rower and business student, he was faced with a simple choice of fight or flight.

Thankfully, he chose the former and hasn’t looked back since. Here are just a few of his achievements:
• Racing on skis over 1,000 kilometres to the South pole
• Completing six marathons in one week in China's Gobi Desert [Race of No Return]
• Racing in the world's coldest marathon at the North Pole
• Competing in Ironman Switzerland
• Kayaking non-stop across the Irish Sea
• Racing in the Dead Sea-Everest Ultra Running Challenge

Why?

Mark has chosen to live this life for simple reasons. He is constantly fascinated by people and the choices they make in life.

By engaging in life changing experiences, Mark is able to connect with tough decisions we are all faced with on a daily basis. How do they navigate through the challenge? How do they overcome their own disadvantages? Is it the people involved or is it the surroundings in which they operate?

Mark's life as an adventure athlete allows him to study people who face and overcome challenges on the edge: • Rule breakers • Pioneers • People operating on the fringes He then analyses how people avoid making excuses when faced with challenges.

He considers his findings and talks about it to inspire others to help 'Make It Happen' when they face their own tough times. "Biting cold, searing heat, sleep deprivation, dehydration and exhaustion push even the tightest of teams to breaking point.