should also have taken his life. but the former royal marine fought back and chose a new path. the years since have seen him challenge himself in ever more awe—inspiring ways, changing people's perceptions of what's possible. in march, while training for a 5km charity run, footage of his fall and then recovery went viral. it was stark evidence of his determination. and so, on to his next everest — a one kilometre swim off the coast of plymouth. he's swum before — even competing at the invictus games. but, by his own admission, it's not his strongest discipline, and it's a very different environment. and what is frightening is that i remember how tired i was after 50 metres. now, this is a lot farther, with tides and currents and creepy crawlies underneath, and everything else that comes with system.