KERRY SUTTON | PERPETUAL MOTION COACHING

MY STORY - THE LONGER VERSION!

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I have always enjoyed sport and been part of school teams but I never felt I was very good. My brothers were in multiple county teams, no sooner had they picked up a racket than they were naturals excelling at the sport. It was a hard act to follow and my confidence in my ability took a hit. It wasn't until I reached university and was selected to be part of the 1st 8 rowing crew that I began to find my place. We went on to win countless trophies including the British university title. 

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I continued rowing after Uni and alongside this started to set myself longer and longer challenges. I didnt realise at the time but here was the beginnings of me carving out my place, the place I felt worthy, found a sense of belonging, something I found was good at and that was challenging my endurance. I set up personal challenges for fun, kayaking from Oxford to London to raise money for charity. Cycling London to Bristol, endurance swimming challenges and many more. I especially enjoyed walking for long periods. After the birth of my second child I saw a poster for the MacMillan 100km walk event along the Highland Way (we lived in Edinburgh at the time) I entered. I slung my 6 month old into a rucksack and started to train. I loved this event, the comradery, the physical challenge, the vibrant aid stations, walking thought the night, the focus on the completion… I loved it all and wanted more. 

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Fast forward to Sydney and another 2 kids in tow and I spotted another of these 100km challenges along a beautiful route tracking down the coast of NSW. I instantly signed up and having dropped my other 3 at school I slung my 4th child on my back and began to train. It was once again a life affirming experience. I remember standing on the start line and seeing people starting ahead of us who were running the event. Who would have thought you could run such a distance! My interest was piqued but I had one problem, I had never liked running!  It was time to crack this mental block. I signed up to do a local 5km and entered an all women sprint triathlon the perfect place to build my confidence. Progress was slow and measured but I got there and completed both events. It took another few years before I would call myself a runner, but I had turned ‘I can’t into I bloody well will!’

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It is interesting when you look back over your life and can see patterns emerging. I can clearly see my love of endurance came from a position of lack and comparison. But over time, by not giving up, I found my niche, something that really brought out the best in me, gave me purpose and fulfilment and which I excel at. 

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I returned to the UK and by chance watched the MDS documentary. I knew instantly that was what I wanted to do next. I called Steve and he laughed, there is a 2 year waiting list he told me…. I was determined to find a way… it was the first year they had places supporting their charity Solidarite and I took a place and started to train, I had 6 short months to turn myself into an ultra runner. To this point I had only run a 10km! 

That was 2012 and this exciting, mad journey has continued and here I am today. Multiple fabulous, hard, dangerous and wild challenges later to being a empowerment and run coach. Driven by my passion to unlock potential in those who feel unsure, incapable, and inconfident. And to support and build those who have tasted the richness of running and ultras and who are wanting to find that bit more in themselves. I truly believe we can surpass our wildest dreams with the right support.

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Read about my Coaching and Motivational Speaking