Hi Guys

Yet another year has rolled around, and my birthday is upon me once more.
As with every passing year, I find myself pausing to reflect — and to feel grateful. Grateful that I’ve managed to steer clear of many of the illnesses and mishaps that have affected some of my mates.

It was around this time of year, just before my fifteenth birthday, that my father — the formidable and inspiring Bill Plunkett — dragged, persuaded, and cajoled me into the local gym. Little did I know he was setting me on a path that would shape the rest of my life. That was sixty years ago now, and from that day forward, fitness became my constant companion.

I’ve trained most days since then — save for the inevitable interruptions of travel, sickness, the odd broken bone, and a few operational deployments along the way. Training has given my life structure and purpose. It’s made everything else — from the daily grind to the tougher challenges — a little more manageable, a little more meaningful.

It also served me well during my years as a Royal Marine Commando — though I wouldn’t go so far as to say it made things easy! Still, I count myself incredibly fortunate to have had a career, first as a Marine and later as a security contractor, that actually paid me to train.

Looking back, I owe much of who I am — the discipline, the resilience, and the simple joy of movement — to that day Dad took me to the gym. Thanks, Dad.