As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we wanted to recognise the extraordinary contributions of women who go beyond their professional roles. At Newable, three remarkable women have exemplified this spirit by seamlessly blending fitness with supporting charities close to their hearts. Join us as we delve into their inspiring journey and celebrate their impressive achievements.
The first of these remarkable women is Gemma Ellis, our dedicated Operations Manager here at Newable. Gemma’s story is one of determination and compassion.
On a chilly morning by the Solent, a group gathered to participate in the Cold Water Dip for World Cancer Day. Among them was Gemma Ellis. Their mission? To brave the icy waters, challenge themselves, and raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
The Challenge
Despite the blustery wind and choppy waves, Gemma and her friends were undeterred. They committed to spending 10 minutes immersed in the cold waters of the Solent. It was no small feat, especially considering the biting cold and the unpredictable currents.
Raising Funds and Exceeding Expectations
As a team, they set out to raise funds for cancer research and support. Little did they know that their efforts would surpass all expectations. Together, they rallied friends, family, and colleagues, spreading the word about their daring endeavour. And the response was overwhelming.
In the end, they raised over £2,000 in sponsorship and ended up being the team with the highest amount of sponsorship who took part in the World Cancer Day cold water dip — a remarkable achievement. The generosity of their supporters touched their hearts, reinforcing the importance of their cause.
Congratulations to Gemma Ellis and her friends for their remarkable achievement!
At Newable, we hold a strong belief in the power of giving back to our communities and Gemma has demonstrated this.
Two more of our remarkable employees have also exemplified this commitment. We had the privilege of interviewing both Sandra Steinhauer and Morgan Pierstorff about their incredible experiences.
Morgan’s Ironman Journey:
Development Director Morgan, fueled by determination and a passion for equality, embarked on an extraordinary journey. As part of a club dedicated to empowering women, she took on the formidable challenge of an Ironman triathlon. These grueling events involve a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon (26.2 miles) run.
Sandra’s Marathon Endeavor:
Sandra, Innovation and Growth Specialist Team Manager, took her passion for running to extraordinary heights. She ran not one, not two, but five consecutive marathons! Her feat was not just about physical endurance; it was fueled by a deep sense of purpose. Sandra ran for TRIBE Run4Love 5 Sweden, an organisation on a mission to combat modern slavery and end human trafficking.
What motivated you to take on this challenge?
MP – I had wanted to do an Ironman for around 10 years. I was inspired by a teammate on my high school cross country team that went on to do 3 Ironmans and around 25 marathons – I was amazed at her physical and mental strength and wondered if I could ever be capable of something like that. So, in part, it was testing my limits. It took me a long time to build the confidence to think I could do an Ironman but luckily when I moved to London, I became friends with a founding member of the triathlon club, 10IronWomen, who ultimately helped me get to the starting line and across the finish line.
SS – I started running 24 years ago, mostly on my own, until I joined the London City Runners shortly after I moved to London. Meeting fellow runners and hearing about the races they were doing inspired me to look for similar challenges, like my first road marathon. Through the club I also met my coach and an amazing bunch of trail runners who inspired me to go “off-piste” and give trail running a go. I absolutely love the “adventure feeling” of trail running, and TRIBE Run4Love 5 Sweden (running 5 marathons in 5 days on the Swedish High Coast Trail) sounded exactly like the type of adventure I was looking for!
I am also extremely lucky to have friends like Morgan, who constantly inspire me to look for new challenges and see how far I can push my limits. In the run-up to our challenges, Morgan and I kept reminding each other that we can do hard things, and I guess we did!
What strategies did you use to stay motivated?
MP – Having a female triathlon club was a game changer. There were always group rides, runs and swims to participate in so you didn’t have to be on your own for all the training. The learning curve in this sport is huge so it is so important to be able to tap into a knowledgeable network to help point you in the right direction on training, nutrition, kit, staying motivated through each other’s accomplishments and support. I could not have done it without that club.
SS – I agree with Morgan, I too was lucky to have a great support group around me, before and during this challenge. Especially during the run, it helped me to be in this together with other people. Especially with one friend, who never failed to point out all the amazing mushrooms that grew along the way! I also tried to remember the victims of modern slavery and how blessed I am to live in conditions that allow me to undertake such challenges for fun! Knowing that not everybody is that fortunate made a huge difference and kept me going in those few dark moments.
What advice would you give someone who is considering completing a similar challenge?
MP – I was lucky in that my husband decided to do the challenge with me. When you are training 12-15 hours a week (my biggest week was 23 hours!) it certainly puts a strain on relationships whether friends, family or partners. You just simply are not around as much. Up at 4.30/5 am, in bed by 8:30/9 pm to get all the training in, you become quite boring and time starved so having your partner experiencing the same thing means that you completely understand and support each other.
SS – As Morgan said, gather a support group around you and try to find role models that show you what is possible! Watch out though for putting yourself too much under pressure – everybody has a different body and different conditions. Get inspired by your support group, let them drag you along on tough days and then go out and run YOUR race, at your pace, in your own time.
What have you learned from this experience?
MP – my motto during this experience has been that I can do hard things. Maybe I didn’t believe it at the start but certainly by the end of it I did. If I can do an Ironman, I can certainly tackle anything that comes my way or that I go after. Yes, it takes discipline and commitment, but it’s so rewarding to put in the work, trust the training plan, and come out the other side having achieved a goal I once never thought possible.
SS – It was great to see how much my body can do if I believe in myself and put in the hard work! I also realised that I don’t need much to be happy – beautiful nature, running and a few inspiring people around me (plus snacks!) And yes, I learned I can eat mashed potatoes for breakfast at 3.30 AM in the morning!
In celebrating International Women’s Day, we had the privilege of spotlighting three remarkable women who contribute their talents and dedication to Newable. Their stories are a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of diversity in the workplace.