Adventurer of the Month: Aidan Pritchard
Our Adventurer of the Month for November is Aidan Pritchard. Aidan is an avid CrossFitter, channel swimmer and devoted father and husband. A marathon is now an easy Sunday morning run, embracing his newfound love for adventure and endurance challenges.
I expected a casual chat with Aidan but instead, I found myself on the verge of tears (in the best possible way) as he shared his powerful story. From his son, Lars, being born with Talipes, to swimming the English Channel with British Paralympic gold medallist Alice Tai. Aidan has subsequently raised over £7,000 for Steps, a small independent charity supporting individuals whose lives are impacted by childhood lower limb conditions, and he continues to do everything in his power to raise awareness and support other families facing similar challenges.
Aidan’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the resilience of the body and mind, and the extraordinary limits we can reach with the right mindset, training, and nutrition. So, let's dive into his fitness journey and hear more about his incredible story.
Lara: To swim across the channel is quite the challenge! How did this opportunity come about?
Aidan: The most significant turning point in my life was becoming a dad last year. My son Lars is the sweetest little boy and spreads joy wherever he goes. However, when he was born with Talipes, it was an incredibly challenging time for our family. I’m ashamed to say now, I was consumed by self-doubt and worry for how my son's future would look. I worried he would never be able to do sports and get the same kind of joy that I had from Rugby, and later CrossFit.
It was during this time of frantic research to gather as much information as possible on Talipes that I came across Alice Tai, a British Paralympic swimmer born with the condition. She became my shining light through this dark period and gave me hope. Through Alice, I learned about the #ChannelMore project sponsored by Optimum Nutrition, offering a chance to swim relay across the English Channel alongside Alice Tai and 4 other aspiring open-water swimmers. It felt like a sign from the universe. Despite a less-than-perfect application video, I was given the opportunity, and I seized it.
A special shout out must go to Optimum Nutrition. Their unwavering support, from encouraging messages in the lead-up to the event to going the extra mile with a taxi arranged for my journey home afterward, added an extra layer of significance to the entire experience.
Lara: Can you please tell us your training schedule and preparing for the channel swim? How did you stay motivated?
Aidan: I was fortunate enough to be trained by Professor Greg Whyte OBE, Professor of Sport, and motivational speaker, who trained David Walliams when he swam across the channel. I had a rigorous 16-week training schedule, I adhered to religiously, putting my faith in the process and swimming 2-3K every night after work. It wasn't always easy with my other commitments, but the daily training meant I didn't take my stress home with me, and I became more present when I wasn't training. I made a promise to my wife that no matter what happened, I would always be there to put Lars to sleep. I committed to that promise, but it meant I sometimes had to do my swims very late as it always depended on when Lars went to bed.
I must admit, I found swimming incredibly boring at times. If only I had heard about waterproof headphones before swimming the Channel! The support of four other swimmers with their unique stories and a weekly catch-up on WhatsApp kept us all motivated. One girl couldn’t swim beforehand, and that was motivating for me. My son was my ultimate inspiration. If he could endure, so could I.
Lara: What was it like on the day? How was your mindset? Swimming in freezing, open waters must have been daunting.
Aidan: Departing in complete darkness, the 21-mile swim was an experience like no other. Facing jellyfish swarms, strong currents like being inside a washing machine, and the uncertainty of whether we could even swim, the challenges were immense. Swimming in the dark, with only a faint light ahead, was surreal. To maintain focus, whenever I had a negative thought, I focused on the word ‘Viking’ – the name of the boat. I affectionately call my son my little Viking and my wife is Swedish, so this kept me going through harder moments.
On my second swim, it was dawn, and the sun was rising on the approach to France, there were no boats or people, and my mind went blank. This was a very cool moment, and I will never forget the unique and peaceful experience. You go through so many emotions and feelings through the course.
We also swam as a united team, ensuring no one let the others down. It was a collective effort to look out for each other and provide support.
Lara: How long was your recovery?
Aidan: It honestly took me about two weeks to recover. My mind and body were exhausted. One of the biggest, unexpected challenges was the fuel you take in. The Channel is the busiest shipping lane in the world, so the water has a lot of diesels in it. Plus, a birthday party right after didn’t help!
Lara: Did you continue with CrossFit during your swim training?
Aidan: While I wasn’t supposed to do weight training, swimming meant I was at my lightest weight ever so I must admit I did train when my body could handle it.
Lara: How did you get into CrossFit and what was it that made you fall in love with the training?
Aidan: I was a semi-pro rugby player; an injury prompted me to find a new path. This is when I fell into CrossFit. People warned me it was a love-it-or-hate-it situation, and well, I fell head over heels for it. I invested in every piece of equipment, and that sealed the deal!
What made it even more special was the instant sense of community I found. At a time when old friends were settling down or relocating, CrossFit introduced me to a new group of like-minded individuals. They not only motivated me but also rekindled my passion for fitness. Similarly, with More Life Adventures, I've discovered a community that resonates with me. Having organized dates and fitness events on the calendar is so important as it gets more difficult to plan things when you have children and conflicting schedules. I have met such great people through MLA who are now my friends, and I always look forward to meetups.
Lara: What’s next for you in terms of fitness challenges?
Aidan: This is just the beginning. I've lined up numerous swimming events and am currently training for an Ironman and swimming events in Ireland in 2024. I have currently raised over £7,000 for Steps and this amount is growing every day. I will continue to support them and raise money wherever I can through these challenges.
Lara: That’s incredible! You must be very proud of your achievements and money raised for a good cause. What’s the long-term goal, and how has the support of the community played a role?
Aidan: My goal is to continue building on the community we have created to raise awareness and provide support for people dealing with lower limb conditions. My wife organised a charity event for parents with Talipes and there are now 400 members in SW London alone. This community has been a lifeline, offering support, a safe space to initiate conversations, and shared experiences with people who also understand what you’re going through.
I've connected with remarkable individuals, like Tony, who, despite being a below-the-hip amputee, offered his advice and wisdom, particularly about not treating my son any differently due to a condition like Talipes. These interactions truly put life into perspective. By participating in fitness challenges, I aim to contribute my part, and raise funds to help children and their families with similar problems to my family.
Thanks so much Aidan for speaking with us. Your story is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that true strength lies not just in swimming the English Channel but in facing life's challenges head-on. Just like your son who is now walking, and your wife, who selflessly cares for him with unwavering support.
Aidan embodies the spirit and values we hold here at MLA - taking part in challenges for a good cause, pushing outside of our boundaries and exploring beyond our comfort zones, and that pure sense of adventure. You can be part of that adventurous community at our next Adventure Club on 13th December.