• My Blog

    A Fascinating Look Back: The Most Bizarre Job Interview 1979

    It certainly was an Unconventional and Offbeat Job Interview Experience In 1979 and again in the early 1982/3 I was hired as the “labour trouble shooter” for contracts in the Middle East. To say my CV, references and interviews were bizarre is an understatement. For example in 1979, an ‘employment interview’ started totally by chance whilst drinking in the Cross Keys, Lawrence Street. Chelsea. I got into a conversation about nothing special, just usual the bar bullshit with a random guy who seemed interesting. After a few beers we decided to change pubs. As we walked up Oakey Street, I eyed three ‘jack the lads’ standing by a Pillar box on…

  • My Blog

    My Bizarre Life on the Oil Rigs 1970s

    Which is crazier and/or more dangerous? Being caught in high winds whilst working in a suspended cradle 200 ft above the North Sea? OR Getting involved in blood-splattered battles in the construction camp bar? My circuitous journey from London’s underworld to Loch Kishorn began when situations were getting very ‘hot’ and I’d had to hurriedly exit London for health reasons. It was in my best interests if lived discretely; merely a temporary move until ‘things’ quietened down. Except from my book : https://www.livealifetodiefor.co.uk/the-book-live-a-life-to-die-for/ Chapter 8 , page 45 #livealifetodiefor #livealifetodiefor #MoreThanMyPast #itsrogerx I want to tell you more about my extraordinary journey.

  • man standing on mountain
    Expeditions,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering

    Best the High Atlas Mountains and Conquered Mt Toubkal

    In October 2013, amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, our expedition culminated at the majestic summit of Mount Toubkal, soaring at a remarkable 4,167 meters above sea level. Venturing up this majestic summit during the summer revealed a remarkable truth: climbing Mount Toubkal necessitates no specialized mountaineering expertise. Rather, it presents itself as a non-technical ascent, a captivating walk-up peak achievable in a leisurely five-day journey commencing from the picturesque village of Imlil. Our expedition comprised a diverse and affable group of seven individuals, each bringing their unique spirit to the adventure. The team were three gentlemen—myself, Benno, and Adam—and four wonderful ladies, including Lesley,…

  • everest-base-camp-near-nepal
    Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Expeditions,  Mountaineering

    Trek to Base Camp on the World’s Highest Mountain

    A Spiritually Uplifting and Physically Challenging Adventure Discover the challenges of trekking to Everest Base Camp, rising 2680m to 5360m with 50% less oxygen. Learn about altitude sickness risks above 3000m and prepare for an unforgettable adventure The Team : Roger, Lucas Bateman, Lesley Pender, Annie (Annabelle) Hancock ,Clive Hagley & his youngest son Max, Julie Jones, Jan Meek :  Our journey to Everest Base Camp Nepal, 17,598 feet (5,364m) above sea level. We flew from from Kathmandu, at an altitude of 1400m up to a height of 2860m above sea level.. Landing safely at Lukla Airport, that has the reputation of being the most dangerous airport in the world.…

  • man in polar
    Recovery,  Speaking

    Transform Your Life: Motivational Speaker for Inspiring Growth and Success

    “Live a Life to Die For”. sums up my philosophy One man’s journey in recovery from Crime, Addiction and Cancer to Wild Adventures Having  personal  experiences of expeditions in the Arctic, Rowing the Atlantic, mountains and playing the two highest games of Rugby in history; to relating to challenges people face in recovery and in their everyday lives. My inspiring world of adventure encompasses a wide range; even my self motivation in arduous and extreme conditions, mental and/or physical. Typifying my tenacity or pig-headedness in overcoming the odds. **I need to remind myself that each of us has our own personal mountains to conquer; for a few it’s physical, others…

  • expeditions
    Adventures,  Hiking / Trekking,  Hiking / Trekking

    A Trek into the World’s Largest Hot Desert: The Sahara

    Discover the Majestic Beauty of the Sahara Desert: To me, the Sahara displays an awe-inspiring uniqueness as did the North Pole. They share extremes of contrasts yet alike in so many ways; legend, mystery and raw beauty. Both can and will kill you if you don’t respect them. The Sahara is the largest non-polar desert on our planet; 3,320,000 square miles (8,600,000 square km) If you take the wrong dune and lose your way, you’re in deep do-do, (shit)! A desert is a barren area, defined by averaging less than 10 inches / 25cm of precipitation (rainfall) each year. Clear skies, light wind and dry air helps the air temperature cool…

  • man at uhuru peak
    Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Expeditions,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering

    Trek to the Highest Mountain in Africa

    My Journeys to the Summit of Mt Kilimanjaro: Highest Mountain in Africa Kilimanjaro demands respect, this mighty dormant volcano, soaring from the African plains, stands as the tallest freestanding mountain globally, reaching a staggering 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. I have climbed to Uhuru Peak, the Summit of Kilimanjaro Twice: Conquering Africa’s Tallest Freestanding Mountain- the second time with a ‘Metal Knee’. Undertaking the challenge of conquering Kilimanjaro is not merely a physical feat; it’s a journey of personal determination and endurance. Embarking on this adventure with friends, I faced the monumental task of ascending Africa’s highest peak. In 2010, we tackled the Machame Route, we ascended through…

  • My Blog,  Recovery,  Speaking

    I Am More Than My Past – So are You : Let’s Shape a New Future Together

    From crime, addiction and cancer to wild adventures highlights that I am “More than my past”. I wrote and published a book, “Live a Life to Die For”, it’s my story of transformation, I hope that others (maybe you) will read it and understand that there is no limitation to what human beings can achieve. If there is a message to this book it’s that I’m just an ordinary guy who went out and did extraordinary things. Roger, is an Ambassador for ‘Hope and Vision Communities” https://hopeandvision.org.uk/our-supporters/ambassadors. Hope and Vision Communities work with people who have successfully left treatment for addiction but need a new place to call home. We rent houses…

  • everest
    Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering,  Speaking

    Highest Rugby Match Ever Played on Mount Everest

      In April 2019 we trekked in the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine, up the Magic Highway’ to Mt Everest’s Advance Base Camp (ABC3) 6,500m/ 21325ft ; which is just below the North Col to play two games of Rugby on a glacier. Myself and Lesley, trekked and played alongside, Rugby stars Lee Mears, Ollie Phillips, Shane Williams, Tamara Taylor plus 20 inspirational men and women to help raise more than £250,000 for children with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland. The Rugby Challenge took place across 24 days; our group battled acclimatisation and altitude to play the World Record for highest ever game  of mixed seven-a-side ‘Touch Rugby’ at…

  • rowing in boat
    Adventures,  Boating / Kayaking,  Marine,  Speaking

    Man Overboard: The Most Feared Words in Ocean Rowing

      The Toby Wallace Atlantic Rowing Tragedy – January/February 2016 The Toby Wallace Atlantic Row – January/February 2016 Tragedy struck in the night of February 14th. Location close to 18 29′ N  039 06′ W. over a thousand miles from land. https://my.yb.tl/oceanusrowing Simon gave a loud warning shout, “big wave”. I looked up to see a monster swell coming at us fast out of the dark; it was the size of a two storey building. This rogue wave was arriving from unexpected direction intent on broadsiding our row boat. Not to break over but pummelled through us like a water tornado. The immense power of unstoppable maelstrom of angry sea water lifted…

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Live a Life to Die For

This is the remarkable and inspiring true story of a man who went from being a violent criminal and alcoholic to a charity worker, extreme adventurer and World Record holder.