Martin Sharp Featured in The Good Men Project talking about Why We Run - SharpFitForLife|The Good Men Project
Nov 19, 2024Martin Sharp Featured in The Good Men Project talking about Why We Run - SharpFitForLife|The Good Men Project
At the start of 2024, Martin wasn’t a runner—far from it. Running reminded him of school punishments and my struggles with asthma. Weighing 154kg with a 54” waist, the idea of running a 10K seemed impossible. But when his wife Sarah mentioned wanting to run the York 10K on her birthday, he couldn’t resist joining her. Supporting her meant stepping outside his comfort zone and embracing a new challenge.
What followed was a journey of growth, persistence, and transformation. By February, he had already achieved a personal transformation, reducing my weight to 94kg and focusing on health, but running was a new beast. The first steps were gruelling—he could barely manage 1K without feeling defeated. Yet, drawing on the principles I’ve used in helping business leaders achieve success, he focused on consistency and reaching out for expert advice.
Step by step, he improved. Sarah and Martin ran their first Parkrun, celebrated finishing a 5K, and eventually conquered the York 10K, raising money for the RNLI in the process. Crossing the finish line in under an hour “felt exhilarating”, but it was just the beginning.
This journey inspired him to aim even higher. By 2025, he plans to run three marathons in 14 days, including the Milton Keynes Marathon, the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon, and the London Marathon on behalf of the Teenage Cancer Trust. These efforts are deeply personal to him, as my family has been profoundly impacted by cancer.
In October, Sarah and Martin completed the Yorkshire 10 Mile race, an achievement he couldn’t have imagined eight months earlier. Running has transformed not only his fitness but also his outlook on life.
This journey is about more than running. It’s about pushing boundaries, leading by example, and inspiring others to fit health and fitness into their busy lives. If a self-proclaimed non-runner, can take on these challenges, anyone can.
The full story of Martins's transformation is featured in The Good Men Project. You can read the original article here.
Special thanks to The Good Men Project for sharing my journey and providing a platform to inspire others.
Let’s keep running toward change—step by step.