Meet Georgi
Georgi is one half of the Mind Over Miles team, bringing resilience, discipline, and a deep personal drive to take on the Atlantic. His journey reflects the mindset required to face one of the world's toughest endurance challenges.
Q&A
Why are you doing this?
It is a quest like no other, where I can prove my resilience and experience raw adventure. This will challenge my mental and physical limits, test my endurance, as it is a mental battle against the environment. It describes me as a person and fulfils my understanding of how to become a better version of myself.
Also, I love nature and can’t wait to see wildlife in their natural habitats, as well as sunsets and sunrises. That will stay with me for life, and I hope to share it with my grandchildren and inspire them to experience life in all colours.
Tell me about a time you were properly tested, mentally or physically, and how you handled it.
I left Bulgaria when I was 19 years old and went to work and live in Italy. I didn’t know the language and had little work experience, having been a young teenage boy. Managed to find work, but I had to walk 2 hours every day in the early hours of the morning through some sketchy places to get there. There were moments when I wanted to quit, because it became very physically and mentally exhausting, with little sleep and long hours of work. I had to grow up very quickly and build character to survive, and it lasted 6 months before I found another job. I knew I would be successful in life; I just had to be resilient and get through the temporary discomfort.
That is how I know we will win the race… it is just a temporary discomfort we go through, but it will bring priceless memories.
What do you think you bring to the team when things get tough?
A positive mindset, strength, and discipline. Teamwork is crucial to handle gruelling situations, push and support each other, crossing the finish line together. I am good at judging the situation calmly, self-control and find a solution to a problem.
If this goes exactly as you hope, what does completing this row mean for you?
I strongly believe that the focus on self-discipline, mental toughness and overcoming discomfort unlocks human potential. The mind is the tool. Completing this row will prove to me that I have learnt how to use my mental and physical strength in tough times. This is how I grow as a person, leading by example.
What are you most concerned about going into this?
Never been in open water for such a long time, so I don’t know how my body will cope. And nature can be unpredictable, so the weather can change quickly, posing challenges.
Meet James
James is the other half of the Mind Over Miles team, and has been answering the call to adventure all his life. This next chapter is a test beyond anything he has experienced before.
Q&A
Why are you doing this?
I’ve been drawn to the race ever since hearing Deborah Searle share her story during a keynote speech. My colleagues around me looked on in horror at the thought of being isolated in the Atlantic, whereas I thought it sounded amazing.
For me, this race is a real test of what is possible, not just physically but mentally. I hope to prove to myself what I am capable of and inspire my children through an amazing achievement.
Tell me about a time you were properly tested, mentally or physically, and how you handled it.
The greatest mental test I faced was a few years back now. I found out purely by chance that I had two brain aneurysms, which needed to be treated through major invasive surgery. At the time, my wife and I were expecting our first child, and my mind was racing with thoughts and anxiety about what might happen should they rupture or the surgery not go well.
Thankfully, all did go well and I recovered with no issues. Although it left me with a profound sense of how quickly things can change. It also made me appreciate that I had let small things stress me out far more often than was needed. Now I’m much more aware of how to look after my mental health.
What do you think you bring to the team when things get tough?
I have a calm approach to tough situations. I believe that, whatever challenges we might face, they will pass in time. Whilst I’m sure there will be many moments where we are tired, stressed, hungry, thirsty, too hot, these will be fleeting. I think as a team we both have the same mindset when it comes to challenging situations though, which is why we work so well together. When things get tough, if one of us let’s the situation get on top of us, the other will be there to remind that time will be our friend.
If this goes exactly as you hope, what does completing this row mean for you?
The row has been on my mind for years. This is my Everest, and to complete it will be a huge achievement for me. I hope that completing this row gives me the confidence to go and achieve whatever comes next.
What are you most concerned about going into this?
My biggest concern is leaving my family over Christmas, especially since my daughter’s birthday will be while we are away, too. I’m dreading that. The other concern is that I’ve had a couple of really bad episodes of back pain in the last 15 years. For me, training will need to focus on strength and stability combined with endurance.
