Time Out for Life Event – Rebecca Adlington OBE at The Ivy

We place great value on our Time Out For Life programme of events, organised to thank, reward and inspire members of our team. What each has in common, and the others we have in planning, is a focus on exceptional achievement. Aside from enjoying some well-earned hospitality at our venues, the events offer the opportunity to meet special guests who have achieved something exceptional in their field, and allow us to take special inspiration from how they have done this, often over years, decades or a lifetime.

This was a TOFL event I was especially looking forward to – meeting Britain’s most successful female swimmer, the double Olympic gold medallist, double Olympic bronze medallist and a world record-breaker Rebecca Adlington.  Since retiring as a competitor, she works regularly as a commentator on Swimming broadcast events for the BBC, is the founder of SwimStars (a nationwide learn-to-swim programme designed for all children aged 3-11) and is a working mum of two!  She has also made various other media appearances, including I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The Ivy, in London’s West End, is such a great venue for us, and the layout in the Lamp Room lends itself perfectly for our 40 or so guests. Becky kindly posed for photos with all our team in the rooftop courtyard garden as they arrived, and then joined Sab and his table for lunch.  In the meantime, I went through my questions for our Q&A session.

Despite being a veteran now at speaking at events like this, I still get a little nervous. But once our Q&A session started, Becky’s warm personality and openness put me at ease.  I think I speak for everyone who attended for just how inspirational and humbling Becky’s story was as she took us through her journey and achievements. Like our female-dominated audience, I found her courage, passion, and determination truly inspiring. Becky connected with us in such a unique way, and I know many of us identified with some of the challenges Becky has faced and spoke so openly about, such as anxiety and family illnesses. Understanding her challenges, setbacks and what kept her fighting back was truly motivational.

As a woman that had to overcome criticism and inequality, Becky is a true example that nothing can stop you in achieving your goals, dreams and aspirations.

Now, it’s time to plan the next one, and the special guest is…

Vicky x