This post was published 5 years 10 months 18 days ago. Therefore, it may well be out of date. Do not reply on the contents of this post being accurate. 
For the past two days I’ve attended a conference, an internal IBM event for the business unit to which I’m currently attached. Of the various internal and external speakers at the event one has had a powerful and lasting effect on me.
Debra Searle may not be a name that is immediately familiar to you, however, many of you may remember her story that circulated the media with some frenzy in 2001. Following four years of preparation and circa £100k, Debra and her (then) husband Andrew embarked upon the Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge, to row across the Atlantic from Tenerife to Barbados in a self-built boat (as Debra puts it, not dissimilar to putting together a flat-pack Ikea wardrobe).
Now normally, this would be a great achievement in itself (not the construction of Ikea furniture of course, although, this is questionable), however, Debra’s story is like nothing I’ve ever heard before and probably never will again.
Although Andrew was an experienced oarsman Debra had no previous rowing experience (although she was highly experienced in many other adventurous pursuits). Nine days after setting off, along with 34 other crews, it became apparent that Andrew was suffering from acute anxiety and had an irrational fear of the ocean. Andrew and Debra tried to work through this but after nine days it became clear that they would have to call on a safety vessel to take Andrew off their craft. It took a further five days for a rescue boat to reach the pair and once they’d rendezvoused Andrew was extracted from their craft onto the rescue yaught.
And then … Debra decided to continue the rest of the race on her own!
A journey that was planned to take 6 weeks took Debra 3 ½ months. There is absolutely no way I could do justice to this incredible endeavour so I recommend you check out Debra’s website and read for yourself.
I’d like to thank Debra for speaking at the event as she has truly inspired me. Please take the time to check out her website and read for yourself the incredible episode that she endured.
Debra, you are an astonishing, awe-inspiring and extraordinary person. I believe we can all benefit from your amazing story.
Thank you.