With some help, guidance and gentle persuasion from Performance Coach, Tony Charnley, almost a dozen CEL team members took on the ultimate Tough Mudder challenge last weekend.
The Tough Mudder challenge is set over a distance of 10K and made up of 20 obstacles including, Mud Mile, Electroshock Therapy, Ladder to Hell and Arctic Enema.
Have you ever completed Tough Mudder before?
Tony: “No, I haven’t taken part in a Tough Mudder before but I’ve always wanted to.
“A few years ago, I watched my wife take part in Tough Mudder and I remember seeing how proud she was at the finish line and I knew this was something I wanted to bring to others.”
As the team Performance Coach, why is it important to take part in challenges such as Tough Mudder?
Tony: “It’s important to challenge yourself, both physically and mentally, and Tough Mudder was the perfect challenge for that. Not only is it a challenge for the individual but it builds teamwork, and confidence, and improves mental health.
“With my background being in the military for over 25 years, I understand how much you need to rely on others around you when you are facing challenges. Tough Mudder connected individuals from across the firm to help and support each other on the day. Whether that was gentle words of encouragement or a helping hand up an obstacle!
“Throughout the day I could see each person becoming more and more confident which was helped by the fact we had a supportive team around us.
“Most of us pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone on the weekend by taking part in something we’d never have thought of doing before. You don’t always realise it sometimes, but pushing yourself, whether you succeed or fail, brings you new life lessons that you will carry forward. At CEL our 2021 theme of the year was to “fail forward”, and that’s exactly what a challenge like this allows you to do.”
Commenting on the day, Melissa said: “I’m feeling very proud of the whole team, it was one of the most challenging things I’ve had to do but we got through it together and somehow in high spirits!”
Now that you’ve completed Tough Mudder, would you do it again?
Filipe: “It was the hardest and worst thing I’ve ever done in my life but I would do it again.”
Tony: “Absolutely! I loved every second. Seeing each person at the start line nervous, dreading it, to completely loving it by the end was very rewarding for me. My job here was done!“
What did it mean to tackle Tough Mudder together?
This challenge was more than taking on Tough Mudder as a team, it was also about raising money for something we all feel deeply connected to.
Robyn Eve Maines, a much-loved member of our team, sadly passed away whilst on holiday very recently. We felt this was the perfect opportunity to continue our support of Robyn’s family in helping to get her home. The CEL team raised an amazing £967.
Everyone who took part in this year’s Tough Mudder has achieved something to be so proud of. Bring on Tough Mudder 2023!
