Mike Martin

Age: 23
Location: Bath and Surrey
Occupation: Student

Last year Mike gained a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Technology at the University of Bath, which has provided him with a knowledge and understanding of materials, methods of manufacture and optimum equipment design.

He is now in the last two months of an MSc in Management, in which he has specialised in the development of leadership and team-building.

He has always enjoyed a wide range of sports and in the last six years has focused mainly on duathlon and triathlon. He especially enjoys the longer distance races and has competed in several middle distance / half Ironman events (2km swim, 80km bike, 21km run).

His highlight so far this year has been representing Great Britain at the World Duathlon Championships where he came 4th in his age group (of 20-24 years). Coming up in the next two months, he is representing GB at the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships, as well as competing in his first full Ironman.

As one would expect, the training requirements to compete in such races are considerable and a typical week involves 25-30 hours of training, no matter what the weather! As well as building strength and endurance, his mental toughness is what he truly relies on to keep himself going when tired and sore. The majority of his training he does on his own, which leads to many solitary hours of self-motivation, focus and faith.

For each of the last three summers, he has spent two months at a ‘summer camp’ in Pennsylvania, USA working with children who have social and learning difficulties. This has required him to build and lead a team of co-workers to deal with these special children. The environment is often very stressful as the children’s extreme behaviour is hard to manage and often upsetting. A lack of sleep and a ‘suspension of normality’ is commonplace, but he found himself thriving in such an environment.

Supporting his brother (Chris Martin) during his solo Atlantic crossing during the Atlantic Rowing Race 2005 took him on an emotional journey of anticipation and excitement. He took the opportunity to travel out to the start and finish of this adventure which got him thinking and captured his imagination. Many times he has been asked by other supporters of his, if he would like to take part in a similar crossing, but until now this has not been possible.