Jan Meek
| NATIONALITY: | British |
| HOME: | Leicestershire, UK |
| PROFESSION: | Motivational and After Dinner Speaker |
| AGE: | 61 |
| HEIGHT: | 163cm (5'4") |
| WEIGHT: | 62kg (137 lbs) |
| PREVIOUS FURTHEST NORTH: | Hovringen, Norway (61.9°N) |
| PREVIOUS COLDEST PLACE: | Stockholm, Sweden (-10°C) |
| WEBSITE: | www.carpediemtrust.com |
BIOGRAPHY
There are many adventurers and athletes who have faced great challenges and achieved their goal. At 53, I was not one of these. I had an interesting and diverse life, but not what you'd call an adventurous one. My hobbies were reading and classical music. The odd pleasant walk was the sum of my physical exertions.
It is all the more remarkable then that this 'hot house flower', when offered the Atlantic Challenge by my 23 year old son should accept it, despite not even knowing how to row!
In the 1960s I worked as a continuity girl on films and a number of TV series: Randall & Hopkirk, The Champions, Dept. S. – working with stars such as Donald Sutherland, Trevor Howard and Sammy Davis Jr. My office was next door to Roger Moore's dressing room for three years when he was The Saint. And yes, going to work was fun!
After 5 years in Saudi Arabia working for the USGS (United States Geographical Service) I returned to the UK and set up several businesses: a boutique, a restaurant/hotel and PR. In Chipping Norton, I became a town councillor, chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, and town mayor.
My adventurous side kicked off soon after my husband died. I set off on my own for a late 'gap year', backpacking around the world, including 3 months learning Chinese in China and 4 months exploring Australia with highlights diving the Great Barrier Reef and climbing Ayers Rock.
Then, from October 1997 to January 1998, taking up my son's offer, I rowed with him across the Atlantic, successfully completing the Atlantic Challenge. My sense of adventure had definitely now kicked off!
SPONSORS
Carpe Diem Inc"Carpe Diem Inc's goal is to create innovative brand communications that cut through the clutter, sell products, build relationships and respond to change. We strongly believe in effective customer services being the key to retaining customer loyalty, therefore we have dedicated resources to help analyse your customer services requirements and help implement them into your communications." |
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Greens Health & Fitness, LeicesterWe are delighted that Greens Health & Fitness, Leicester has sponsored us with free membership and training facilities. "At Greens, fitness really does come naturally. Our health clubs not only offer an excellent range of leisure facilities, from fully-equipped gym to pool and spa facilities, but also on hand are our friendly team of experts who'll work with you to devise a convenient and comfortable way to achieve your personal health and fitness goals." |
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NutrafitDan Senior of Nutrafit is sponsoring us with free personal training. I think it is true to say that without Dan we wouldn't have the strength and fitness to compete seriously. "Exercise and a healthy balanced diet are vital for a long healthy life, but it is all about getting a balance. Solutions that we can stick to, day in and day out. Getting results, living life and feeling on top of the world! Nutrafit aims to provide the best quality advice and services available in the Health and Fitness Industry. Encouraging Healthy Living through education, advice, motivation and support. Wellness is a gift — keeping it is a lifestyle" |
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Pegasus Retirement HomesPegasus Retirement Homes are one of the UK's leading developers of purpose built retirement properties exclusively for the active retired. Everything about a Pegasus apartment is designed to make life easier, more comfortable and secure, free of all the worries of managing an older property. |
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CHARITIES
Carpe Diem TrustHelping ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things The Carpe Diem Trust (registered charity 1115061) is a new charity, due to begin operation in the second half of 2007. It will be a grant awarding body aimed at helping and motivating ordinary people to take control of their lives and to stretch the boundaries of their potential further than they thought possible. By providing annual grants to qualifying individuals or groups, the Carpe Diem Trust will help people of all ages and from all walks of life to develop their full physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potentials. |
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