MALCOLM MCPHAIL
Malcolm McPhail - My Story
I’m a former international athlete, a Master’s degree holder, an award-winning business leader of nearly 30 years, a storyteller, an author, a leadership coach, an adviser, and a public speaker.
I’ve rapidly worked my way up from PE teacher to Group CEO within the global leisure industry.
On this page you’ll find my personal story. One that’s defined the unique approach I take with my clients and the methodology I use. Informed by science too – as might be expected.
We all have secrets in our closets. It’s only when you discover where an individual has come from, that you begin to understand their current outlook and capacity for growth going forward.
An early life awakening
My childhood was dysfunctional and traumatic and i lived in a level of poverty.
At school, I waited in line for my lunch in a special queue that singled me out as having free school meals. Where the dinner lady, so concerned about my undernourished appearance, gave me two scoops of food. Wryly, “Two Scoops” is a nickname my oldest pals affectionally still have for me.
As a 13-year-old, I had my own awakening. Sat on my bed – eating my usual dinner of chicken nuggets and Cadbury’s Smash – I decided I didn’t want to live like this anymore. I resolved to have a better day. And I did.
At just 13, I learnt a valuable lesson. I realised I could choose to take control of my own life. And now I help others to do the same.
Discovering an incidental talent
As a wayward adolescent of 13, I could run fast. So fast that even the Police couldn’t keep up.
It was suggested to me, that I should join a local athletics club. There, I could channel my speed into something more positive than running away from the authorities.
Coach Glen took me under his wing. By the age of 15, I was a Scottish 200m and 400m long-jump, junior champion. Not only that, but Glen looked after me too and i learned about the importance of kindness, empathy and bravery.
From there, I went on to achieve remarkable accolades in both sport and business.
From hurdles to rowing the boat
As an international athlete, I scooped various sporting titles for athletics.
All my coaches instilled in me, the powerful relationship between the mind and the body. How unrelenting self-discipline and hard work gets results.
It was during this time we practiced our award-winning ‘Row the Boat’ (RTB) approach. A pioneering technique I’ve since adapted and developed over the last 20 years and rolled out across workplaces and sport settings.
Combined with choosing behaviours that get us our best results, it’s a winning formula for success, both on the sports field and in the boardroom.
