How do you like to keep active? What activities do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy running and try to get out at least 3 times a week and try to walk as much as possible rather than jumping in the car.

Why do you feel it is important to lead a physically active lifestyle?

I find it so beneficial for my mental health, if I’ve had a busy day at work or am feeling sluggish then getting out in the fresh air for an hour really helps. I feel so much better within myself after I have gone for a run….and on the flip side I can really tell physically and mentally when I haven’t been able to get out and exercise.

How does the Active Hub platform support your physical movement?

I find it much easier to push myself if I have a goal, I try to enter a couple of half marathons a year to keep myself motivated, but in between the races I find the Active Hub challenges really push me. I spend a lot of my day sat in front of a laptop or in a car, so being reminded to do 30 minutes exercise a day really helps me to get out.

What event on the Active Hub have you enjoyed the most?

The Big Team Run was a great challenge to do. The added competition of running against teams from other companies was really motivating, but we also created a team within Acer but from across EMEA, this introduced me to new people in the organization and we created a little running community for the challenge.

It was also more interesting having an actual goal of a finish line, everyone in the team was on the map every day seeing where we had got to and what teams were close.

How has participating in team events helped increase your engagement with other colleagues?

It's been great to compete with and against each other in the company, the local challenges increase interactions with colleagues on a day to day basis and its noticeable that more people go out for walks at lunchtime when we are doing the 30 minutes a day challenges. And as mentioned previously, The Big Team Run brought people together from across different areas of Acer in EMEA and I now still speak to some of the guys and follow their progress on Strava.

Has having the Active Hub in place via your employer enabled you to lead a more active lifestyle?

Absolutely, having monthly challenges has helped motivate me to get out there and exercise. The Big challenges are great for driving me to do more running and increase my distances, but the smaller 30 minute a day challenges are the ones that have really helped me on a day to day basis. Being reminded to get out and do your 30 mins a day helps in getting you up from your desk and out in the fresh air.

What is your 2024 active goal?

Same as most people probably, to Keep fit and healthy and to fight off the middle-aged spread! If I can beat my half marathon personal best, then that would be a bonus, but time is against me on that one!

We all live busy lives and can struggle to find time for ourselves. Getting out for a run or a walk on a regular basis has been so beneficial for me, physically and mentally