epstein’s kool aid – international women’s day – keswick phase 1

last weekend was huge for me.

i headed off to keswick in the lake district to climb, and push myself hard.

with two possible outcomes.

summit and complete phase 1.

or realise the parkinson’s has beaten me, and i would quit climbing completely.

now, dear blog reader, for me this is kind of a big thing.

the pressure was insane.

i had a lot to lose.

but i told my climbing buddy mr lay, that it was black and white, summit or stop.

we climbed, and we climbed.

and the mountains tested us.

it rained.

it snowed.

it shone.

and half way up my balance coped badly with the wind and snow.

my confidence was challenged, and i breathed deeply.

don’t give up.

never give up.

stay calm.

keep going.

and i did.

to the top.

to the summit.

and as i stood upon the highest point, i knew.

it’s not over.

not yet.

next stop phase two, the alps.

wish me luck.

but for now i’ll enjoy sharing the journey with my mate, laughing constantly, and living life one day at a time.

that was last weekend.

this week, emily on our bigmoose team asked me if i would write something for international women’s day, which initially excited me.

i get a chance to shine a light on the bigots.

the lad culture, in the bars and the boardrooms.

and the warmongers who shared epsteins kool aid.

but i thought about it.

that’s too easy.

cheap shots do not intelligence make.

and have no measurable impact on making improvements in a very gender biased world.

so, instead i have approached this opportunity i have been given as an exercise where i can encourage you, male or female to take practical action.

two years ago i read ‘invisible women’ by caroline criado perez, which i have mentioned here before.

and it isn’t a sunday times bestseller for no reason!

i loved it.

so i have a plan.

for the first five people that email in with their names and address, i will send you a free copy of the book to read.

on the proviso that you agree to send it to another person from our waitlist when you’ve finished it.

sound fair?

so i will either send you a copy of the book immediately, or put you on our waitlist, so you will get the book to read eventually.

let’s change the rules on gender bias, everywhere it exists.

vive la révolution!

blue skies,

jeff

p.s. book writing going well, call with publisher next week, excited.com

c