Redemption: From Iron Bars to Ironman

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Even if it's just taking that first tiny step just trying to be active, even if you're just doing squats inside. I managed to get myself in amazing shape in a cell, so you can do it. That really made me feel amazing. It made me feel like a human being and set me up for the rest of the day in a good positive mindset. McAvoy got himself into such excellent shape while jailed that he was able to break multiple British and world records on a rowing machine. Serai admits that physically this training plan is pushing her to her limits, and the UTMB race is a scary prospect. ‘But that’s the thing about running, you’re only going at your own pace,’ says Abdelbast Zlitni, 17 from Manchester. For Abdelbast, also the life of the party, trail-running carries a relatable metaphor. ‘In my life, I have had to overcome and move around different challenges, but have to move toward the ultimate goal of where I want to be; the strongest and fittest version of myself.’ But what advice can the reformed criminal give on how to deal with isolation in the current climate? The other things that influenced author Mark to write his books include the inertia of England’s justice system as well as the sheer and raw griefs of the ones who were touched by the tragedy and the savagery of the system. Author Mark was born and brought up in Carlisle, The United Kingdom. With the help of his determination and dedication, he made use of his previous career of journalism to develop his new career in the field of writing. Author Mark began his writing career with a few stories initially and then went on to become a full time writer. Eventually, he became one of the international bestselling novelist in the crime and mystery genres. As of today, he has written a total of 6 books in the Aector McAvoy series. This series also contains a short novella, which is available in the form of an ebook. One of the novels of the Aector McAvoy crime series, known as the Dark Winter, was selected by the panelists of the Harrogate New Blood award as well as for a Richard & Judy award. The novel also became one of the Sunday Times bestselling novel after its release. Currently, author David Mark lives a happy life in Lincolnshire, England, along with his wife, a couple of kids, and a small group of pet animals.

As well as using these times for personal and physical development, McAvoy also believes that this period can bring people together.The 15 years that followed have led McAvoy along a very different path to the one he had envisaged growing up among hardened members of the criminal underworld.

I remember the first time I got on the rowing machine, when I was 26. The first row I ever did was two hours, it was like 30 thousand metres. I remember looking at those numbers on that rowing machine and it literally transcended me out of that environment completely.''While out on licence, he was arrested again in September 2005 as his gang went to hold up a van carrying cash. But as well as training and competing as a triathlete, he runs outreach programmes in a bid to help troubled youth. ''You need to give every young person in the world an opportunity to better their lives. And I genuinely believe sport can do that.'' - John McAvoy to Olympic Channel Podcast. I was able to get a special note whereby they’d let me go to the gym for an hour in the afternoon.” McAvoy was lost. In prison with years left to serve, he found himself resenting the conversations of fellow inmates, the everyday chatter of what they would do when they got out, what ‘work’ they had lined up, who they would exact revenge on. ‘I thought, I have to get away from these people,’ he says. ‘I can't be listening to this shit anymore.’ He added, "By educating myself, by getting fitter and feeling good about myself, I was able to turn my whole life around. I went from a criminal, that only knew criminality from a young boy, to suddenly becoming an athlete and breaking records.

When I was a kid my mum wouldn't even let me have a toy gun in the house to play cowboys and Indians," he says. "She was so anti-gangs, anti-violence. But as I was getting older she could see I was getting pulled further and further into that world. Watching the news report the following night, a CCTV clip of Aaron inside the shop they were robbing, truly brought it home. ‘The camera froze, and I remember looking in Aaron’s eyes,’ says McAvoy. ‘Those were the most last moments of his life. He lost his life in the pursuit of money. He was the same age as me. He never reached his potential.’

I used to do sessions with guys who went to the Olympics at London 2012 and physically, on a rowing machine, I could live with them. But I took up the sport too late so I literally missed the boat.'' he added.