It’s not just about climbing mountains, here are some other young people achieving
in different disciplines...
Adam Bailey
Ambition: University Degree, Professional Musician
Adam joined a local band whilst at college. They entered regional heats of a Best Band competition. Winning the National title and International recognition at the European Finals. Adam acclaimed as “Best Drummer” and the band winners of “Best Live Show” performing to an audience of 40,000 at a stadium in Germany.
Adam’s first memories are of using kitchen utensils as a drum kit, aged just three years old.
”I used to stack pots and pans around me on the kitchen floor in the same layout as a drum set, then use wooden spoons as drumsticks to bang out a beat.”
The whole Bailey family were into music in a big way. A large extended family that formed their own band and played on the local circuit. Adam joined them for his first solo drum gig aged five.
“My brothers and sisters were playing at a pub and I was told that I could watch, then halfway through their set they got me up on stage, gave me the sticks and told me to play. It was a fantastic feeling and I’ve loved drumming and performing ever since”.
Happy times were short lived, home life broke down and the family dispersed, for Adam, the music became an important means of escaping the domestic problems.
“The music took all my concentration, it felt a real sense of achievement to finally overcome complex pieces and I grew to rely on music to help me cope with difficult times.”
Music continues to dominate his life and the qualities needed to be a musician are the same ones that he relies upon to help him achieve his short and long term ambitions.
“It takes determination and perseverance to get things right, I like the sense of achievement that it gives me, and the confidence from performing in front of an audience.”
Jonathan Legris
Ambition: Formula One Driver
Jonathan first sat behind a racing wheel at the age of eight and showed early promise, winning his first six races in the 60mph Formula Cadet Class.
“I didn’t realise that I had won until I pulled into the pits, then it was a fantastic feeling, like the happiest day of my life.”
“I thought it would just be good fun, but the minute I sat behind the wheel I realised that racing was in my blood, it’s something I feel passionate about.”
Jonathan became the youngest ever person to obtain an international kart racing licence, competing against the top national drivers and regularly taking a place on the podium.
A winner of international events, he demonstrated his driving skills on the Valencia circuit in Spain, successfully completing a series of intensive assessment programmes to win a £35,000 sponsorship.
“We were being evaluated the whole time by four judges, I didn’t think my driving was anything special but at the debriefing I was the only one that they said positive things about. The BMW sponsorship money is vital and it helps form links with others on the race circuit.”
Jonathan believes the qualities needed to succeed on or off the track are:
“Determination, control of aggression, not being afraid to take a chance on any opportunity, physical fitness and mental focus on the task and an approachable, communicative personality.”
And he expects those same qualities to shape his future.
“It’s my check list for life, coming second does count, but winning is best.”
“Nothing will defeat me. I want to race Michael Schumacher!”
