Lara Milward

I have sought the stage since I was a child and in Canada where I grew up, I felt no restrictions by nature of my gender. I ski raced, I swam, I danced, and I was a gold medallist in public speaking by the age of 9. I learnt early that I could get through the fear, and the uncertainty and that with each challenge, my confidence to try again, to perform, grew. I learnt that the pain was worth the elation of the gain.

 I write this after just competing in Hyrox London which has become the biggest fitness race ever. I run 8km but after each 1km there is a challenge like an 100kg sled push or 100 wall balls. It’s tough. I know that when something is tough I always learn, and become stronger and more confident. Without challenge, a muscle (whether physical or mental) atrophies and weakens. At 53, I am determined to keep growing.

My life has been a cycle of these challenges and performances from setting up a new business to parenting to joining the Branson family on the core team of the Virgin Strive Challenge and auditioning to be the lead singer of a band. It has become invaluable experience when coaching mental muscle in others. I now take huge pleasure in helping others to discover their own ways to grow their performance whatever the pressure.