Old Stop, creative agency founder, and part-time explorer, Chris Conlan (OS 1993) paid school a visit this month as guest speaker at SGS’s annual Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Presentation Evening.

In Chris’ captivating speech, he took us all on a journey ‘from the A6 to the top of the world’. Not from a family of explorers, he shared how his love for all things adventure came from going on trips to Mull when a pupil at SGS. Cultivating such an appetite to explore, he went on to join Chris Wright in leading the trips as a Sixth Form helper.

This set a tone for his onward life and career. A marketeer by trade, Chris then went on to combine his skills with his passion for active and outdoor pursuits by launching his own agency, Outside of Ordinary. Oh, and did we mention that he’s been to the Arctic and Everest Base Camp too?

So, what has Chris learnt by living a life of adventure? He shared his thoughts with those who attended the Presentation Evening, but we took note to pass on to Old Stops too:

Take that step into the Unknown. The Known will still be there when you get back.

Appreciate what you have. Build on our starting point of great privilege, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Resilience - the obstacle is the way. Turn trials into triumphs.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

We feel very lucky to have welcomed Chris back for Presentation Evening – thank you for sharing your story with us!