Every Day Heroes
It's true what they say, "not all heroes wear capes"
Here are some people I've known or met through the years that have had profound impacts on my life!
Every Day Hero - Eilish McColgan
Reasons why Eilish is a hero of mine
Eilish is an inspiration to me and has been for years. Both running for Scotland many years ago, I have witnessed Eilish become an absolutely incredible athlete, winning many titles and running extremely quick times. However, the main reason I would call her an Every Day Hero is her willingness to share her experiences with others, to be open and honest about her life (training and personal), and to show the “ins and outs” of an athlete.
Eilish has faced many challenges in the years, and must receive a lot of critique, yet she appears strong minded, driven to the core to achieve her goals, but also showing a lot of love for those around her (her friends and family). She seems to work her arse off, 99% of the time behind closed doors, like many of us athletes.
In my opinion she is a true role model. I hope younger generations (of females in particular) can look up to her and see her strong work ethic, as well as positive but genuine attitude shine!
Keep smiling Eilish and thank you for being you!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I'm a professional athlete, competing for Team GB across three Olympic Games. A Commonwealth Games Champion and the current European Record Holder. Outside of my own athletics, I run my own coaching business - helping runners around the world achieve their goals. I have also set up a not-for-profit to help fund free after school clubs and scholarships for young aspiring athletes. So, I'm kept very busy!
What has been one lesson in your life you have failed to learn?
To switch off. It's definitely something I struggle to do! There are times where I should be recovering from training, but instead I'm putting my energy into my coaching business or planning on how I can expand my charity work. I don't ever give myself a second to take a breather. It's something I'm continuing to work on because I understand how important recovery is - both mentally and physically. There are certainly times where I can feel myself approaching a bit of a burnout, and I don't want to reach that point.
What has been the best advice you’ve ever been given (and from whom)?
To focus on myself! And that was from my mum! As a kid, I was always looking at what the other girls were doing. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be like them. But my mum was really good at holding me back and telling me that everyone is different. Training and life isn't one size fits all. So you need to find what works best for you and stick with it!
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
To be more confident. I never really believed I could become an athlete as I didn't think I was good enough. I was also very aware that I didn't have the body of other girls growing up. But now I've learnt to love the body I'm in. This body has got me to three Olympic Games but it's also been passed down to me from my granny's and my mum. All incredibly strong women!
Who do you look up to and why?​
My mum is definitely a huge inspiration to me. I know how hard she worked throughout her career but even more so over these last 6 months. She lost her partner to a sudden heart attack and has had to start her next chapter alone - on a different continent to the rest of our family. I can't imagine going through everything she has, but she's got a new job role and is doing something she loves.
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What makes you tick?
Goals. I'm definitely motivated by setting myself goals and targets. Usually they are time driven rather than medal or podium positions as I can't control what other people do/run. But I can control my own times. So aiming for a personal best as a big goal race is always something that motivates me.
You’ve got a day with nothing planned, what would you do with it?
I try to catch up with everything else! General life admin, emails, meetings. I'll edit videos and pictures for sponsors. Plan our coaching programmes. Everything else besides my own training that day!
What is one habit you want to learn?
Time keeping. I'm not majorly late, but I am always late! Apart from when I'm racing! I'm really on top of my race day timings as I write them all down in my phone the night before a competition, but in everyday life, I am notoriously 5 or 10mins late.
What is one habit you have that you believe is invaluable to your life?
As above! Being late.
What is something about your journey that few people know about or understand?
A lot of people see the life of a professional athlete and think it's glamorous with lots of travel. And it is a cool job to have, but all you really get to see is the track, hotel, and airport. The hardest part for me is missing family and big events in friends/families' lives. I've missed so many big moments for people I love - birthdays, weddings, graduations etc. Sometimes you feel guilty for chasing your dreams because you must give up those moments that you can share with others. Maintaining friendships is very tough too. They move on, get married, have kids, whilst you are still doing the same thing you've done for the last decade - run and be absent.
How do you define success, and has that definition evolved over time?
Success to me is running a personal best. If I come first or last in a race, but I've ran the quickest I possibly could then great. Even if I retired tomorrow, I'd be really proud of my career to date and view that as a success. But I'm also proud of what I've done off the track. And I'm hopeful that my charity can continue to expand, long after I'm finished running. I want to bring something more to my sport and to my community than just a medal.
Eilish with her Mother, Liz
Every Day Hero - Harry Higgs
Harry Higgs, jumping for joy outside his lab!
Reasons Harry is a hero
Harry was my supervisor during my Postdoc at Dartmouth College.
My job interview with Harry involved a 25-mile bike ride around the New England Hills. On reflection, this “rolling” bike ride was ironically like our relationship - there were certainly ups and downs, but to say I learned lessons during my time with Harry is an understatement.
I have chosen Harry as an Every Day Hero for his ability to guide and teach. Most will know Harry as a truly unbelievable Scientist – his extreme meticulous way of working, a real intrigue to the unknown, and his ability to communicate the complex in an engaging and inclusive manner. Harry’s openness and honesty allowed me to see my areas that needed improvement and taught me that to be a good mentor the “cruel to be kind” approach can be useful. I admire Harry’s uniqueness and confidence in being himself, quirks, and all. Also,
in the nicest way possible, I appreciate that Harry is not afraid to not “follow the crowd”.
To top it all off, Harry has a pretty decent sense of humour and knows how to make a good cup of tea (both likely thanks to his British heritage).
What has been one lesson in your life you have failed to learn?
That it pays to be direct with people. Kind and considerate, but direct. As a boss, I have definitely made the mistake of wanting people to ‘like’ me, rather than focusing on being respected*.
*It’s funny, I read what Lorna wrote after having written the above. From my perspective, I do not confront things very well.
What has been the best advice you’ve ever been given (and from whom)?
When I was deciding on a PhD lab, a professor (Dave Teller) told me “you do science because it’s funner than fun. Go to the lab where you have more fun.” I continue to have fun doing science.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
“Relax, it’s going fine.” When I was younger, I was in such a rush, and stressed about things I didn’t need to stress about. I could have taken more time to smell the roses, and could have avoided stressing about the small things.
Who do you look up to and why?
People who face bad situations with calm and humour. My parents both grew up in England during the war, and definitely had an attitude that the best thing in a tight spot is a joke. The fundamental mind-set is that things will be what they will be, and you might as well try to find a way to enjoy it. Also, most definitely somebody has it worse, so be thankful for what you have.
What is your biggest weakness/flaw?
A lack of self-confidence. I mask it in many ways, but I have had ‘imposter syndrome’ for as long as I can remember. It is very easy for me to feel that I don’t belong, that I don’t deserve what I have, and that if I stop working hard I will lose it all very quickly. I have to ‘earn it’ every day. Just being me is not good enough.
What makes you jump of bed in the morning?
Scientific discovery is a drug. I leap out of bed in the morning when I know that I will learn something later in the day. Something that I or my lab is doing. Something nobody else has known before. The best is if I’m doing it myself, but I’ve learned to get this vicariously through others in the lab.
What makes you tick?
Cool thoughts. Like planning an up-coming experiment, and how cool it will be. I will go over and over it in my mind, planning and thinking about how it will go.
Favourite quotes and why:
Folle à la messe, molle à la fesse
You’ve got a day with nothing planned, what would you do with it?
Some sort of vigorous activity, followed by a nice meal and relaxation. The best days are when all the vigorous stuff happens before mid-afternoon, and then I have a mug of hot tea and a nap on the couch. A great example of a vigorous activity is splitting wood. You have to earn your relaxation.
What is one habit you want to learn?
I used to want to be able to spend a whole day doing nothing, and feeling good about it. Somebody once told me that they spent a whole day watching every movie Patrick Swayze movie. I tried to do something like that and, after 1.5 movies, was feeling a huge lack of self-worth (see other responses, above).
I’ve since leant into it with the productivity thing. I am who I am. Doing something ‘productive’ makes me feel good, so I’m owning that.
So, short answer: I have plenty of habits. I don’t need any more.
What is one habit you have that you believe is invaluable to your life?
I have a pretty regular morning routine: some yoga immediately upon getting up (15-30 min depending on the day), then making breakfast while doing some vocal exercises, then eating breakfast while practicing some music for the choir I’m in. This is a joy on mornings when I wake up “on the right side of the bed”. On the other mornings, it is essential. Whatever worries or challenges await the rest of the day, I know that this is a safe hour or so when I don’t have to worry about any of them.
What is something about your journey that few people know about or understand?
That anybody can have ‘imposter syndrome’, even a white male from an upper-middle class background.
How do you define success, and has that definition evolved over time?
Success is having a career that is truly fulfilling, that you get up every day wanting to do.
It turns out that, deep down, I have always had that feeling. I’m happy to say that, in that, I have been very successful. I could not imagine doing a job I hated. I know a number of people who say they like their job, but they would not be doing it if they weren’t getting paid. I’d do what I do for free (the science part, not the various administrative things that come with it).
Every Day Hero - Bill Young
Reasons Bill is a hero
I met Bill during my time in Hanover, NH. Bill kindly responded to a call-out email I had sent, needing a lift to a local running race. Bill noticed my surname - we are not connected by blood (that we know of!), but we are connected through our "Young" spirit.
I cannot put into words the positive change Bill has had on my life, and to many of those he surrounds himself with. He is a man of community, action, change and fun! Approximately 40 years older than myself, he inspires me with his go-getter attitude, welcoming and inclusive nature, and importantly, his understanding of the word Banter (not understood by all across the Pond ;-)).
During moments of feeling down or low energy, I ask myself, "What would Bill do". Thank you for the many moments and memories, Bill! Long may they continue.
Bill Young. Photo taken at 7 am from Bike to School Day – Playing Mary had a Little Lamb.
What has been one lesson in your life you have failed to learn?
Answer: I still struggle to accept disappointment and move on.
What has been the best advice you’ve ever been given (and from whom)?
Be Prepared was my father’s advice, the Boy Scouts and the Coast Guard/. “Semper perratus.” Ghandi-Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
Be grateful, smile more and get a good girl friend.
Who do you look up to and why?
There are many and for different reasons. Joan Baez and Bob Dylan for their creativity. Winston Churchill for his wisdom and wit. Mahatma Ghandi for his peaceful resistance.
What is your biggest weakness/flaw?
Episodes of doubt and depression can interfere with my relationships and work.
What makes you jump of bed in the morning?
Work gets me moving. It started with a morning paper route when I was 11 and is still there at 77.
What makes you tick?
My fine family relationships, good friends, volunteering ,mountains, ice and snow.
You’ve got a day with nothing planned, what would you do with it?
Keep calm and carry on with at hike or an outdoor work.
What is one habit you want to learn?
To play a musical instrument well enough to be in a folk or Celtic music group.
What is one habit you have that you believe is invaluable to your life?
Empathy has fortunately always been there and probably contributed to a constant effort to be kind.
What is something about your journey that few people know about or understand?
Most people think I am always upbeat which unfortunately not true.
How do you define success, and has that definition evolved over time?
It has evolved from professional ambition to the Serenity Prayer and love of my family and friends.
Every Day Hero - Bill Wickner
Reasons Bill is a hero
​I met Bill when I started working at Dartmouth College. Bill worked as a PI down the corridor I worked on.
Bill is one of the most hard-working, captivating, holistically-minded, caring, passionate, and optimistic humans I have met. I would say that, by his own definition, a “success”!
Of all his positive attributes, his genuine interest in “you” is the reason I call him an Every Day Hero.
Tell us above yourself (roughly 150 characters)?
I'm a lab rat! I enjoy doing experiments and interacting with my small research group and other students, postdocs, and faculty on my floor. Besides the lab, my great passion is my family-- my wife, 2 daughters, their husbands, and 4 grandkids (9, 11, and twins who are 13). Lots of adventures and times together! I also enjoy woodworking, music, reading, and hiking in the forests year-round.
What has been one lesson in your life you have failed to learn?
To buy low and sell high.
What has been the best advice you’ve ever been given (and from whom)?
My dad knew that I'm an inveterate worrier, so he told me to do all that I can about what's worrying me, and then fugghedaboudit.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
Good times are ahead!
Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to Bob Lehman, for his science but especially for his warmth and wisdom. I looked up to Eugene Kennedy, who through his kindness got me hooked on the joy of science.
What is your biggest weakness/flaw?
I speak before I think!
What makes you jump of bed in the morning?
To get to the lab to do an experiment!
What makes you tick?
I'm a happy camper...
Favourite quotes and why:
"You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run". There's wisdom therein
You’ve got a day with nothing planned, what would you do with it?
Go for a hike with a dear friend.
What is one habit you want to learn?
To sleep later in the morning (I usually wake up at 4)
What is one habit you have that you believe is invaluable to your life?
Frugality
How do you define success, and has that definition evolved over time?
Success is being a kind, hard-working, loving, and responsible human being.