Simon Bywater is the living embodiment of service and purpose.

At sixteen, inspired by the Falklands War, Simon surprised his family by joining the Royal Marines Commandos. He completed training and served as a Marine around the world for six years. He was looking forward to a new challenge with the Greater Manchester Police when he was informed while attending a friend's wedding that he was being deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Safe Haven. Simon may have only been in Iraq for four months, but it left its mark.

Given his experience in Iraq, a role with Greater Manchester Police in what was, at the time, the UK’s crime hotspot was always going to provide some significant challenges.

Eight years of working on burglaries, robberies, and murders, finally took their toll, and Simon left the force. With his brothers' encouragement, he ventured into entrepreneurship, finding success with a car repair business and later as an insurance fraud detective.

Writing his memoir and investing in a property project in France provided perfect therapeutic outlets. The success of his memoir was significant and led to several documentary projects. However, busy as he was, Simon found the time to become an elected Councillor, which has seen him successfully serve his community for more than six years.

Simon has also added a care leaver mentor and a role with a grassroots football organisation to his roles. Despite his busy schedule, Simon finds time for his passions: cycling, motorcycles, and writing. The success of his memoir "Forced Out" led to documentary projects, further enhancing his multifaceted career while he continues to serve his community and pursue his passions.

Simon Bywater provides a perfect example of a life with purpose.

Find all of Simon's books on Amazon

Something with… is the official podcast of Something To Aim At... dedicated to purposeful living.

Website: Something To Aim At...
Follow: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram
Voicemail: Link on the website
Email: connect@somethingtoaimat.com


Music: The Two Regs

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Adam Hugill is best known for his 20,000 km around the world cycling adventure, but before he set off on what turned out to be a life-changing adventure, Adan was serving in Afghanistan with the UK military.

On the show, Adam discusses how he knew he wanted to serve in the Army from a very early age. He shares a little about his time in Afghanistan and how a book by Alastair Humphreys, Around The World By Bike, inspired him to replace ten years of military adventures with some cycling adventures. While it ended up being a solo trip, the first half of his journey was undertaken with his then-wife Lucile.

Adam shares stories about his trip and discusses the differences between cycling with a partner and riding solo, the complications of trying to film a marathon cycling trip, and the pressure of maintaining a YouTube channel. He also shares his memories of being in New Orleans after 18 months of cycling and finally recognising it is time to head home.

Adam explains how he arrived home in Beverley in the pouring rain to discover that it was election day and Boris Johnson was set to become Prime Minister. It was probably an omen of things to come.

Although Adam returned to the UK with a job lined up, he discusses the difficulties he encountered trying to assimilate back into a life more ordinary. He also talks about recognising that he was drinking a little more than was good for him and shocking his friends when he revealed that he was going to give up drinking.

Six years after his big adventure, Adam talks of finding happiness and contentment in Bournemouth and explains that he has found the balance he had been unconsciously searching for.

He recently completed a mini tour of Southern California and, with a passion for swimming, has joined a sea swimming club and really could not be happier.

For anyone interested in cycling, adventure, purpose and purposeful living, Something with Adam Hugill is for you.

Use the link to view his YouTube channel.

Adam will be speaking at the 2024 Cycling Touring Festival (3-5 May). Use the link to learn more about the festival.

Something with… is the official podcast of Something To Aim At... dedicated to purposeful living.

Website: Something To Aim At...
Follow: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram
Voicemail: Link on the website
Email: connect@somethingtoaimat.com


Music: The Two Regs

Thanks for listening

The podcast now has a new name Something with... to reflect the focus on conversations with great guests.
A new episode will be uploaded every Wednesday at 6 pm.
In the coming weeks, I'll be speaking with adventurers, advocates, producers, academics and coaches.
Because without purpose, there'd be no reason to get up in the morning.

Something with… is the official podcast of Something To Aim At... dedicated to purposeful living.

Website: Something To Aim At...
Follow: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram
Voicemail: Link on the website
Email: connect@somethingtoaimat.com


Music: The Two Regs

Thanks for listening