Ben Starling's Blog, page 2

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"It usually takes me more than 3 weeks to prepare a good...

"It usually takes me more than 3 weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." — Mark Twain

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Looking for connection with your audience? We all have a story to tell, and revealing vulnerability builds rapport too: https://t.co/TPBlpDrE10

Looking for connection with your audience? We all have a story to tell, and revealing vulnerability builds rapport too: https://t.co/TPBlpDrE10

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Rivalry

Ben performs Rivalry

 live at the Hackney Picturehouse, UK on March 13th, 2018.  A London SPARK event.

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He looks forward to seeing you soon!

Adios Unwelcome Pounds ~ Welcome Wellbeing!

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It’s all a conspiracy!

Strange how my trousers had shrunk. And in an act of cowardly collaboration, my bathroom scales (in league with that dastardly mirror), had started to lie. The holes in my belt had waited until night-fall to edge outwards. Even my bathroom towel seemed smaller. There was conspiracy afoot!

Reality

Which was when I remembered T.S. Eliot’s words: “Human kind cannot bear very much reality.” And the reality was that despite quick walks, my metabolism was slowing down. Or however those in denial of weight-gain explain a thickening waist.

The fightback begins!

So a year ago, I joined a gym. It’s my sort of place with a dedicated boxing area, state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment, interesting classes and friendly members.

The longest journey starts with a single step…

After an absence of eight years, those first steps in the gym shocked me: I’d lost all my stamina! My range of movement had tanked! As for my boxing technique—I’d forgotten the difference between a left hook and a fish hook. Depressingly, for six weeks the scales in the men’s changing room refused to register any improvement which meant one thing: The conspirators back home had gained an ally.

Persistence…

My routine was simple. Three or four visits a week. Start with stretching and warm up. Jump some rope, shadow box, then five three-minute rounds on the punch bags. Cardio machines (what sadist invented the StairMaster?) followed by dumbbells. Then stretching and deep breath, in readiness for another confrontation with the dreaded scales that not only indicated my weight, but also informed me of my Body Mass Index (BMI). Too much information.

A note of caution

I’ve learned to listen to my body. If something is hurting, I stop. I stretch. I always build slowly to greater effort and monitor my heart rate. That way I’ve kept injuries to a minimum.

Progress

After a hesitant start, I’m up to fifteen rounds on the bags, a hundred floors climbed (think Empire State Building), two thousand dumbbell lifts and hundreds of calories burned each visit. Soon my trousers threw in the towel and started growing again.

What made me keep going?

I didn’t look too far ahead. I set myself realistic goals and congratulated myself on reaching them. A pound or two lost each month on the scales or added to the dumbbells was achievable. Everything else was a bonus and soon they began to flow: I’ve got my energy and flexibility back! My resting pulse is under sixty. My BMI is comfortably in the green band and I don’t need to buy a new wardrobe.

You can do it too!

I added a healthy diet too and am pleased I’ve (mostly) stuck to it. I really do feel twenty years younger and recommend using a gym to anyone who wants to shed the pounds or just improve their sense of wellbeing. Because wellbeing matters.

 

March4Women London!

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Good Lad Initiative joined the March4Women on Sunday March 4th! We started walking from Westminster, London, UK.

[image error][image error]We marched for gender equality along with thousands of other women, men, children and pets. We marched from the Houses of Parliament over to Trafalgar Square, following the historic march of the Suffragettes.

[image error]Under Nelson’s column in the Square, speeches, music and celebrations were held to commemorate 100 years of women’s suffrage in the UK.

The Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, spoke inspirational words to the crowd on the very spot where her great-grandmother made her history-changing speech.

[image error]The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, proudly said “I am a feminist” and reiterated his commitment to making London equal for all.

Annie Lennox televised her message to the Square from giant screens. So many musicians, celebrities, comediennes gave their time to speak and entertain. It was a truly inspirational atmosphere and a fantastic feeling to be there!

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[image error]What is the Good Lad Initiative? GLI runs workshops with trained facilitators in all-male school classrooms, for pupils aged 12-18. The workshops address issues of gender equality and masculinity. We encourage young men to talk openly using the media of role playing, games and exercises.

At Least One Thing You Should Never Do With A Harpoon Gun

Ben performs live

At Least One Thing You Should Never Do With A Harpoon Gun

at the inaugural launch of London’s new Perfect Liars Club, held at The Book Club, on February 20th, 2018.

[Note: video visual dark to low stage lighting, audio may need to be turned up.]

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For more videos from Ben, subscribe to his Channel at

For more about Ben’s books, check them out here.

And don’t forget to connect with Ben – join him at

He looks forward to seeing you soon!

Lucy in the Sky

Ben performs Lucy in the Sky

 live at the Hackney Picturehouse, UK on February 12th, 2018.  A London SPARK event.

***

For more videos from Ben, subscribe to his Channel at

For more about Ben’s books, check them out here.

And don’t forget to connect with Ben – join him at

He looks forward to seeing you soon!