Watching the fantastic Outlander TV series, then being lucky to briefly meet the Scottish actor Sam Heughan at the Dean Castle, Kilmarnock in December 2015, led me to the My Peak Challenge (MPC) path in February 2016.
The day I met Sam I had just finished a run and managed to somehow really damage my hip and knees. I couldn’t run regularly for many months after this and thought I might not be able to run anymore. I needed something to help motivate me to lose weight and get fitter. I kinda knew that the extra weight I was carrying was not helping my knees.
I followed Sam on Twitter, then found out about My Peak Challenge. At first I thought it was all about climbing mountains, which I wanted to do as well, but it’s so much more than that. This was the start of changing how I eat, exercising more frequently and also exploring my creative side. Little did I know that through this group I would also have the opportunity to meet up with so many other like-minded peakers from all over the world.
I can sometimes stray off the path a bit … but then I find my way again.
What is My Peak Challenge?
It’s a year-long program of online workout videos, nutrition plans and also non-physical challenges like trying something that you’ve never done before and always wanted to.
Joining My Peak Challenge helps change so many lives:
Donating to Bloodwise – when you buy your membership, you’re automatically donating 50 percent to the charity Bloodwise, research for leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood disorders. Watch this video on how donations from My Peak Challenge has already helped fund the “Camellia” clinical trial at the University of Oxford.
In 2018 and 2019 we are also raising funds for the charity Marie Curie.
Help you – help yourself become a better you! Many of us are too good at being negative about ourselves, myself included. We need to be more confident and not worry so much about what others think. I’m still working on this, but I can honestly say that I’m better than I used to be.
Help others – you will also have the opportunity to help others in the peaker community by supporting and encouraging them with their own challenges. The private Facebook group is ever-growing with like-minded people from all over the world. The love and support will be returned for sure. You will meet new friends online and maybe also in real life at peaker meet ups. This is optional though, you can also view quietly in the background if you prefer.
Three for the price of one I’d say! Check out the My Peak Challenge website for more details and how to join.
Challenge yourself
Your challenges can be anything you want them to be. It’s not just about exercise, but many of my challenges have now become this.
If you think about it, everything in life is challenging, even just the simplest of things like finally deciding to declutter that cupboard or take that first step to try a new hobby. I’ve seen many other wonderful, emotional and inspiring challenges in My Peak Challenge such as:
- taking up a new hobby like knitting, writing or painting
- overcoming an illness or fear
- becoming stronger, confident and accepting who you are
- moving on to a new job
- moving on after bereavement or separation
- travelling to places you’ve always wanted see
Many of us are very good at just staying put, not changing anything in our lives for the better. It’s easier that way. What we forget though, is that months and years go by so quickly and as we get older we usually look back and say: “I wish I’d done that.”
It’s all about doing something that you’ve always wanted to. It’s never too late to change, so let’s just do it now.
My own challenges
Each year I’ve been listing my challenges and achievements here on my blog. It really helps motivate me to have this list and tick it off as I complete a challenge. I don’t always reach my goals, but I’ve decided that’s okay. I’ve realised that every now and then life has a way of putting the brakes on some things.
Love Exploring Scotland 
I’ve recently learned about My Peak Challenge and it interests me a lot. I don’t know a ton about Sam Heughan (just sort of discovered him fairly recently – not even from his most famous role I guess) but I like the community aspect and something that challenges you asa person to be your best self, not the next person’s best self. It’s difficult with social media telling you how you should be and live all the time. This seems like the perfect program. I really like your blog too and signed up for email alerts.
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Hi Jennifer
Thanks for your message 😊. It is a very inspiring and motivational community. I’ve not been as active recently but loved meeting peaker friends this month, some for the first time. Everyone is so friendly and not judgemental.
It is about working on you, improving your confidence, skills, fitness. Anything you want really. Along the way peakers will support you.
Please just be yourself, not what you think others want you to be. Your happiness is important 💙
Thanks for subscribing to my blog. I’ve not posted in a while here. I need to go somewhere nice to write about. You can also follow me on social media if you’re interested. Links on blog. I recently created a new video, another skill I’m trying to improve 😁
Take care
Dawn-Marie x
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Hi, I am interested in My Peak Challenge 2019, please could you tell me, do the workouts require equipment?
Thank you
Georgia
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Hello Georgia
Thanks for your message.
You don’t need special equipment, alternative options are given. Some peakers will use things like a broom handle for balance, tins of food for weights, rug as a mat. When I first started I used things around my house, but then I gradually bought items like resistance bands, small weights and a skipping rope.
I haven’t being following the video workouts now though as I tend to run, walk and hike. I like this best. The whole program is very adaptable to what you like and your needs. There’s something for everyone.
If you join, there’s always wonderful support in the private Facebook group where you can ask questions too.
It might be best contacting My Peak Challenge direct. You can e-mail the team at support@mypeakchallenge.com or visit their website: http://www.mypeakchallenge.com
I hope this helps 🙂
Take care
Dawn-Marie x
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I have been reading about MPC and thinking of joining. My big hesitation is my age. I will be 76 this month. I walk five days a week an hour at a time. My daily goal is 10,000 steps. I am in good shape for my age, travel quite a bit (in fact just got back from Scotland and Ireland) love horses and riding with my granddaughter, love to cook and getting together with family and friends. The past several years, however, I have had some back issues. I have worked with my doctor and made excellent progress. Now I would like to regain my strength and stamina. I pride myself on being fit at each stage of my life. My question is whether MPC is equipped to help seniors achieve their goals as well as the younger generations?
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Hello Marian
It’s lovely to hear from you. You sound very active at 76, well done on keeping up your 10,000 steps every day! It sounds like you’re already a peaker 🙂
Sorry to hear about your back issues. My Peak Challenge is perfect for you to build up your strength again. Exercises are scaled to all abilities and you don’t even need to join a gym. You can do these at home. Of course, your challenges can be anything you want.
My Peak Challenge is for all ages, so no need to worry about being a senior lady. I’m aware the progam has changed slightly this year. You can find this information on their website: https://mypeakchallenge.com/pages/join
I haven’t joined this year, yet. I’ve had a little set back myself, but I’ll get through it. I tend to create my own challanges as you’ll see from my blog.
It might be best to have a look at the My Peak Challenge website: https://mypeakchallenge.com/
If you’re still not sure, contact the team, they will be happy to help. Are you on Facebook? You can message My Peak Challenge via their page: https://www.facebook.com/MyPeakChallenge/
I hope you had a lovely time visiting Scotland and Ireland. All the best with building up your strength again. I really admire your motivation!
Let me know how you get on.
Take care
Dawn-Marie x
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Hello Dawn. This is the first time I have looked at your website. We met you at Danure the day before filming began and we had a friendly chat. I was lucky enough to see Sam at long last in Glasgow, it was a brief time but was MY challenge for this year. I am afraid I was a LOT awestruck and wasted conversation time. We came to Scotland for two weeks at the end of Jan. and left last Tuesday. What an amazing time we have had and are hoping to return with our touring caravan. I can tell you love Scotland and will enjoy looking at your photos. Keep up the good work. Nice to have met you. All the best with the peak challenge. I love mountains too and when we were younger we have walked Snowdon, quite a few times. Scarfell, once. falcon Mountain at Beddgelert and the 3 peaks in Yorkshire….all amazing. Now 70 don’t know what we can do but in awe of mountains and Outlander and Sam and Scotland. Many thanks xx
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Hello Linda!
I’m so pleased you eventually got to see Sam, you’ve been trying for a while! I can understand why you were awestruck ;). What a great way to finish your Scotland tour.
I stayed at Dunure all day and later I slipped on to the set from a different path. I got some photos, but some of my video recordings didn’t work :(.
Wow, you’ve hiked some amazing mountains! It’s such a great achievement and I just love being amongst all of nature’s beauty. You do too I see!
I made a wee video of Dunure after a few visits. You can see it on my blog or on my Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube. This is the link on my blog: https://loveexploringscotland.com/scotland-from-above/
It was lovely to meet with you both that day. I really enjoyed my day meeting people, talking Outlander and wandering around at my leisure.
I would have never thought you were 70! Early 60s I thought. I love that you are both enjoying life and doing what you love.
It’s lovely to hear from you.
Take care, keep in touch
Dawn-Marie x
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