Dwayne Fields
Listened to Dwayne Field's episode of Desert Island Discs. Dwayne is an explorer, motivational speaker and an ambassador for the Scouts. He had an amazing story, growing up in Jamaica, at first raised by his great grandmother, before moving to the UK aged six. He navigated gangs, crime and social problems in inner London, before a life-changing opportunity to join an expedition to the North Pole. In doing so, he became the first black person to reach the magnetic North Pole.
There were two takeaways from his story stuck with me. First, I loved his statement that as an explorer he was about planting seeds, not flags. That he wasn't interested in claiming firsts and discoveries and successes for himself, as his; he wanted to lead the way, to inspire and support other people. I think this works as a metaphor for what we should try to do in academia. Second, I loved his message that we were all capable of doing and giving so much more than we realized. If he could start where he started, and go to the North Pole, and now inspire other people, what can I do?
Tags: inspirational, podcasts