Les Mills International’s Keith Burnet shares experiences from 42 days in a rowboat

August 27, 2021

The Fitness Business Podcast has released an inspiring interview with Les Mills International’s Keith Burnet, who reveals his biggest life-transforming takeways from an epic 42-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean at the turn of 2020 and 2021.

Burnet, the Chief Executive of Les Mills’ Global Markets, has an impressive background in the global fitness industry, having held senior roles with David Lloyd Leisure, Living Well Health and Leisure, Hilton Worldwide and easyGym.

Prior to his current role, he was Chief Executive Officer of Les Mills UK.

In what he calls ‘the world’s toughest row’, Burnet and his team of three colleagues, started in the Canary Islands and rowed unaided for almost 5,000 kilometre across the Atlantic Ocean, to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Burnet and his team, set off on 12th December 2020 and arrived in Antigua some 42 days later.

The challenge saw Burnet spend 24/7 rowing two hours on and two hours off in a 7.5 metre rowboat, where for 42 days straight his life consisted solely of: eat, sleep, row, repeat.

Speaking as part of the Fitness Business Podcast In this podcast, Burnet describes the experience of being 1,600 kilometres from the African coastline with no one around him, other than his three teammates.

As he recalls “it was totally pitch black. Waves are three storeys high, and it feels like being inside a washing machine. The alarm goes off for fifth time in the last 24 hours.

“As you wake, you’re disorientated and it doesn’t feel like you’ve been asleep. You step into a black box. A wave hits the boat and knocks you over, so you’re lying soaking wet in the boat. All you can hear is laughter of the other boys. You trip over in the dark to change over with teammates. Your body is sore, and you just have to try and get comfy and get into your stroke. You can’t see the water though, and the waves hit from the side, the oars are above each other, and water comes over you. Out of nowhere you can get a slap across the face from a flying fish, which jumpstarts your heart.

“Welcome to the Atlantic Ocean.”

Despite suffering from blisters, relentless sea-sickness, burnt eyeballs due to sun exposure, and having only an indoor rower on which to train in the lead up (he had to learn how to row the Atlantic while on the Atlantic), Burnet describes the experience as the “most spectacular adventure of our lives - with life lessons”.

Lessons from his experience include:

• Turning ‘impossible’ to ‘I’m possible’, to transform one’s limited point of view. Burnet endured four back surgeries and a broken neck from his rugby days and says “if I can do it with no preparation, and injury history, then anyone can and anything is possible”.

• To inspire others you need to first inspire yourself. “42 days sat in the armchair of planet earth” as he describes it, enabled Burnet to enjoy sunsets to sunrises and watch days turn into nights and nights into days.

He adds “you see it all happen in nature. Leadership is to inspire people to be at their best. But to inspire yourself first, you need to get off your arse and do stuff. Something that stretches you and gets you out of your comfort zone.”

• ‘Just row harder’ - hard work beats talent every day of the week. Burnet said the first two weeks of the journey were mentally and physically the toughest thing he’s ever done in his life. Adjusting to new ways such as the boat, food and routine, and accepting that all they could do to get to the end was to row harder (and smarter).

• ‘Embrace uncertainty and the unexpected’ - life is full of surprises and will teach you something every day. You don’t know what will hit you in the face - try and accept experiences as the gifts they are.

• ‘Be kind. The toughest parts of the jounrey turned out not to be the physical or mental factors, but the team dynamics and accommodating everyone’s individual emotions. Everyone deals with things in their own way, so it is important not to judge others by your own standards. Instead, focus on your own contribution and accept that everyone else’s will be different. Don't compare your effort to others. Think about the consequences of what you say and how you act.

To make the most out of life, Burnet recommends we all make every moment count by really experiencing life - not just living it. He says we should:

Take on a personal challenge (not matter how big or small) – do it outside in the world, somewhere you’ve never been before.
Never be too busy for family and friends – mean it when you say you’ll catch up, and do it.
Smile more. Our psychological wiring says a positive frame of mind helps us achieve more and feel happier.

Burnet’s journey is a sensational example where enduring sacrifice and learning, transforms in tangible, personal growth.

Les Mills Asia Pacific is supporting fitness clubs and facilities through the tidal waves of the current times, with group fitness solutions that can future-proof your business against lockdowns by keeping your members highly engaged.

Click here to listen to the Fitness Business Podcast.

Images: Keith Burnet and his team complete their 42-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean (top) and Keith Burnet (below).

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