During the pandemic ‘Lockdown’ in 2020, the rest of the world felt very far away. And like many of us, I immersed myself in hours of Netflix documentaries to pass the time. Tommy Caldwell and his climbing feats in ‘The Dawn Wall’ became a particular favourite. While an interest in human endurance on Mt Everest came from the book ‘Into Thin Air’ by Jon Krakauer.

From the comfort of my sofa I said to myself – “If we get the world back, I’m going to climb my Mt Everest.”

After a chance conversation with a friend, my Mt Everest became crossing an ocean in a purpose-built rowing boat. I read as much as I could on the history of ocean rowing. Which led me to incredible men like – Samuelson and Harbo, and their first crossing in 1896. It wasn’t long before I found the ‘The World’s Toughest Row’ and entered as a solo entrant for the 2025 Atlantic race.

My two sons, Charlie and Otto will be 9 and 7 when I put to sea. As they grow up, I want them to look at the world with wonder and say, “If my Dad can row across an ocean...what adventures could I have one day?”

Whilst training for the row, my father-in-law was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Having only recently retired as a commercial pilot, it was devasting news for Jon and the family. There is currently no cure and I plan to use the row to raise funds for the UK’s only charity specialising in the disease, The Lewy Body Society.