My Personal Experience of STRIVE Week on Necker Island
The Week That Changed My Perspective
There are business trips, and then there are experiences that fundamentally shift how you see yourself and the world around you. STRIVE Week on Necker Island was one of those.
I was honoured to be invited by Noah Devereux (Richard Branson’s nephew) to join this year’s STRIVE Challenge — a week of physical endurance, deep connection, and powerful purpose, set in one of the most stunning locations on the planet.
What STRIVE Is Really About
STRIVE was founded in 2014 by Sam and Holly Branson, as a way to bring together entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers for one purpose — to raise funds for Big Change Charity.
- Raised over £12 million for Big Change
- Supported 200,000+ teachers and parents
- Unlocked £60 million in follow-on funding
- Impacted 7.7 million young people
The Activities: Sweat, Sea & Solidarity
Each day of STRIVE Week brought a new test, both physical and mental.
We hiked, swam, sailed, and reflected — together.
For me, that meant tackling the hill hike across Virgin Gorda instead of the cycling route.
And when I say hill, think mountain.
The heat was relentless, the incline punishing, and the terrain uneven.
There were moments when every muscle screamed to stop — and yet the view at the summit made every step worth it.
We also took to the water for Hobie Cat sailing, an experience I’ll never forget.
There’s something freeing about skimming across turquoise seas, harnessing the wind, and realising how little control you really have — and how much trust you need to place in your environment, your equipment, and your own intuition.
And then came the 4.6 km open-water swim from Necker Island to Moskito Island.
I’ll be honest: I was terrified.
But surrounded by encouragement, I found a rhythm — one stroke at a time — until the fear gave way to focus, and the impossible became achievable.
What STRIVE Taught Me About Leadership
Every element of the week was designed to reveal something deeper.
For me, STRIVE was a live masterclass in leadership, mindset, and resilience.
Here’s what stood out most:
You Can Do Hard Things
Most limits are imagined. Once you commit, you find capability you didn’t know you had.
Leadership Is About Energy, Not Authority
The STRIVE community was full of leaders — yet no one led from ego. Everyone contributed through encouragement, not hierarchy.
Courage Is Contagious
Watching others push beyond their own fears gave me permission to do the same. That same principle applies in teams and businesses — courage spreads faster than confidence.
Stillness Is a Skill
Between the endurance events came moments of reflection — mindset sessions, conversations, and group discussions on purpose and education.
It reminded me that growth isn’t just built in the doing, but in the processing.
Purpose Is the Ultimate Fuel
When you connect what you do to something that matters, endurance transforms into fulfilment. That’s as true in business as it is in the middle of the ocean.
The Community: No Ego, Just Purpose
One of the most beautiful things about STRIVE is the people it attracts — a mix of entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, and innovators — all united by a shared belief in contribution over competition.
There was no talk of success or status.
Only shared stories, shared sweat, and shared values.
The humility and authenticity of the Branson family were at the heart of it all — present, approachable, and genuinely invested in the mission of Big Change.
It’s rare to find a space where everyone is both leader and learner at the same time. STRIVE creates that space.
What I Took Home
Coming back from STRIVE, I realised that the lessons extend far beyond the island.
They apply directly to how we build teams, grow businesses, and shape our lives:
- Challenge creates clarity.
- Community builds courage.
- Purpose sustains performance.
The sea, the heat, the exhaustion — all of it was a mirror.
It showed me where I resist, where I rise, and where I need to grow next.
Closing Reflection
STRIVE Week was more than a physical event — it was a reset.
It reminded me that leadership is not about being in control, but about being connected — to yourself, your team, and your purpose.
When you blend adventure, service, and reflection, you come home stronger — not just as a business leader, but as a human being.
I’m grateful to have experienced it, proud to have completed it, and determined to bring its lessons into every area of my life and work.
“In the end, leadership is not about how far we go — it’s about how many we bring with us.”