The most instantly recognisable face in fitness – and irresistibly positive person on the planet – Mr Motivator say’s NOTHING beats walking, and urges everyone to join Walk 1000 Miles – “the UK’s biggest self-improvement movement”.
At 70 years old the remarkable Mr Motivator (real name Derrick Evans) has a sense of mission as bright as his go-to attire: to make the world wake up to the power of movement to enhance lives – and save them. And he’s found the strongest possible ally in Walk 1000 Miles, the challenge he says could help save the NHS, boost the nation’s health and happiness and send the idea ageing is a life-limiting condition into the bin where it belongs.
It starts with accepting our responsibility for our own health outcomes, and learning to resist messages pervasive in society which serve other interests more than our own he says: “Gyms are doing us a disservice. The expectation that the government will keep us healthy is doing us a disservice. We need to look after ourselves. Health doesn’t live behind a paywall. It’s our responsibility, but it’s also our power, our freedom. We can do it, today! We have the strongest medicine possible in our hands – or our feet!”
Derrick’s conviction will be music to the ears of 1000-milers, with whom he shares the increasingly open secret: the potency of a form of exercise to which there’s no barrier and no limit. “Every step you take 250 muscles start to work – that’s the power of walking. And it’s safe, low-impact, it suits everybody, andyou get the benefits from the moment you start. Nothing beats walking!” he says.
“As a society we know the importance of exercise, in an abstract way. But motivation is a fast-draining resource – people need a continual reminder” says Derrick. Which is exactly where Walk 1000 Miles comes in – the daily nudge to record some miles on your chart helping form a beneficial habit that breeds motivation through results.
“Start with just a day. Start by walking slowly. Build up to when you’re getting a bit of sweat on. Then do a few days in a row. Build to a week. You’re already doing a heck of a lot of good for your whole body and your heart in particular. Habits are formed after 21 repetitions. If you do this for three weeks you’ll have formed a new habit. You’ll quickly realise physically and mentally the best thing you could ever do to yourself is to walk. And if you walk 1000 miles you won’t just have done something remarkable, you’ll have formed a habit for the rest of your life”.
It isn’t just his own age-defying life that daily reinforces Derrick’s convictions: “I work with three major oncology units in London because they know if I can help people get even just a little bit mentally and physically fitter, it strengthens their immunity, slows the rate at which illness takes you over, and they recover much quicker.”
No wonder he’s so driven. “It’s incredibly important we harness the curative power of exercise – not just individually but as a country. And walking is such a great way to remind yourself every day you get up you’re blessed – it’s an endless series of affirmations, of positivity. You’re important, this world is good, life is a blessing. Those happy hormones are the one drug whose feel good promise comes true.”
It’s a happy habit the importance of which only grows as we age says Derrick: “Older people shouldn’t be considered ‘over the hill’ – they should be up and over hills and picking up speed! I’m 70 and I want to transform perceptions of the older person – what they are, what they’re capable of. Mentally, physically - walking is an incredible way of getting yourself into that state of all-round fitness that literally stops you being what we think of as ‘old’. Fitness is critical to our resilience at any age, and our independence as we get older. It’s the one insurance policy that pays out when you’re alive” says Derrick.
Staying motivated
Walking doesn’t have to be done in far off or beautiful locations to work its magic either – “Walking is one of the best ways of dealing with any kind of stress in your life – just getting outside in the fresh air putting one foot in front of the other can work miracles” says Derrick. And if local pavement pounding isn’t firing you up, try walking to a beat says a man who knows all about motivation: “Studies have shown with uptempo music your walking picks up the pace and fatigue and discomfort are almost indefinitely deferred”.
Goals are a vital component too: “Without a goal a sprinter has lost the race before they’ve even started – every time” says Derrick, “But it’s important we don’t focus on goals too far out. While 1000 miles sets the direction – focus on those milestones along the way. Make a fuss of them – your first seven day streak, your first 10 miles, your first 50. Breaking it down into small increments gives you lots to celebrate and they all add up. The pace doesn’t matter, it’s the starting, and carrying on that counts.”
And boy does it count. “With every 30 minutes you exercise you extend your life by 90 minutes” says Derrick. “Do your Walk 1000 Miles walk every day in January and you’ll have extended your life by nearly four days!”
There’s a huge Facebook community in Walk 1000 Miles you can plug into – and Derrick says you should: “Being part of a community you draw on a great reserve of energy, enthusiasm and support. Post your walks, your feelings, your achievements – celebrating things together makes them much more powerful”
Can you really walk 1000 miles? It’s a daunting thought he acknowledges – “You might not think you’re up to it, but trust me once you start, you will feel how good it is and know ‘I can do this’. The greatest gift you can give yourself, your family, your colleagues, friends and the world is an independent, healthier, happier you. I’m telling you this works. All you’ve got to do is try it.”
To find out more about Mr Motivator, join his free club and get details of his motivational roadshows in locations across the UK visit www.mrmotivatorsclub.com
