What Marc Woods Talks About:

Challenge and Overcoming Adversity

The story:

Marc had his left leg amputated because of cancer when he was just seventeen years old, He had been a
county swimmer before the diagnosis and the day after he had his stitches out he went swimming again.
Within a year he was swimming quicker with one leg then he did when he had two.

His dream was to simply be the best that he could be and just 18 months after he finished his
chemotherapy he was selected to represent Great Britain. He subsequently competed at European & World
Championships and Paralympic Games. In his 17 years of competition he won a staggering 12 Paralympic
medals from 5 Games, 4 of those medals being gold.

The ‘take homes’ on overcoming adversity:

• Through choosing to be the ‘best you can be’ it is possible to turn a negative into a positive
  driving force;
• Focus on the things under your control and blank out those which aren’t; and
• To stay on track, take time to understand what motivates you.

Facing Change and Taking Personal Responsibility

The story:

As a teenager Marc would describe himself as lazy. Faced with a daunting situation he took personal
responsibility to get on with his life to the best of his ability. In his presentation Marc describes
having to learn to walk again and how taking the time to do that as well as he possibly could still
positively impacts on his life today.

The ‘take homes’ on overcoming adversity:

• We can’t always choose what changes but we can choose how we deal with it;
• Taking personal responsibility for change is in itself a positive action;
• Encouraging and listening to feedback is critical; and
• Take time to review.

Teamwork

The story:

During his presentation Marc plays a video of his thrilling relay race in Atlanta where the team came
from seven meters behind only to lose by twelve one hundredths of a second, The gold medal was within
touching distance… and then it was gone.

After reviewing everything it wasn’t until Marc watched the video of the race that he noticed something,
There they were all four of the team in he medal podium; two with beaming smiles on their faces; two
looking devastated. It was then that he realised what was wrong. They had competed as four individuals
and not as a team. Two wanted to win and two were happy with 2nd or 3rd.

Following this disappointment Marc describes how a culture of teamwork was developed and in the second
clip which Marc plays the team comes through to win the gold in Sydney. He also describes how the notion
that everyone gas a role to play in winning, regardless what their day to day job, was communicated to the
broader support team and how this ensured a further Gold medal in Athens.

The ‘take homes’ on overcoming adversity:

• If a team doesn’t share a common goal and objective they are unlikely to achieve their true
  potential;
• Do you know who’s on your team? Take time to agree to objectives and get ‘buy in’ with your team;
  and
• How to get ‘buy in’ from support staff.

Leadership

The story:

When Marc was first asked to lead the team he willingly did it but it was only through making mistakes
that he realised that he needed to develop his leadership and communication skills. In particular he
needed to improve his listening skills and thereby his ability to obtain buy-in from his team mates. Marc
describes turning a dysfunctional team around by creating an open environment where people were
passionate about being the best that they could be.

The ‘take homes’ on overcoming adversity:

• Leadership skills can be learnt;
• Leaders must be passionate; and
• Leaders have to listen.

Motivation

Motivation and inspiration are a given within this presentation. Marc speaks with passion, humour and
humility. Utilising superb BBC TV footage his story takes the delegates on a journey from cancer patient
to multiple medal winner.