 Here at Project Active, we are absolutely thrilled and profoundly inspired to announce our Client of the Year!
This year, the award goes to a true legend whose journey embodies everything we stand for: Mark S. Mark’s transformation is genuinely blowing us away. It’s not just about the incredible number on the scale—a phenomenal 46kg GONE in just 18 months!—it’s about the life goals achieved, the boundaries smashed, and the new, vibrant life he has built for himself along the way. His story isn't just a weight loss success; it’s a blueprint for anyone looking to redefine their limits and embrace an active, adventurous life.
0 Comments
 A Massive Achievement for a Man Making a Massive Impact
This is the kind of news that makes us want to drop everything and cheer! We are absolutely bursting with pride to announce that Ben Scurr from Project Active Ltd has been selected as a 2025 finalist for 'Best Fitness Coach' at the prestigious UK Small Business Awards! This recognition isn't just a nod to Project Active; it's a profound statement about the sheer dedication, innovative spirit, and deeply personal impact Ben has been making in the lives of his clients. To be named a finalist in such a competitive, nationwide arena is an incredible honour, and it shines a much-deserved spotlight on what we at Project Active have known all along: Ben Scurr’s approach to fitness coaching is genuinely, profoundly special.  For three sturdy souls from the Project Active Tribe, the High Atlas Mountains were not just a stunning backdrop on a map; they were a formidable, four-thousand-metre-high challenge. Specifically, Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, stood as a magnificent, silent giant waiting to test our mettle.
This wasn't a gentle hillside stroll; it was a rugged, exhilarating expedition that demanded preparation, resilience, and a dash of good old-fashioned grit. This is the story of our exhilarating, exhausting, and utterly unforgettable few days in Morocco. We’ve all seen the pictures: sun-baked, terracotta landscapes giving way to dramatic, snow-dusted peaks. But the reality of the Atlas range, and Jebel Toubkal at 4,167m in particular, is far more imposing.  Ten months of preparation, countless trainwalks, and a building crescendo of anticipation all pointed to one epic weekend.
This was it: the Darke & Taylor Snowdonia Challenge. And what a challenge it was. As the organiser, my mission was clear—to craft an adventure that would test the team, forge bonds, and deliver a memory that would last a lifetime. Snowdonia, as always, played its part with spectacular flair, providing a backdrop that was nothing short of breathtaking which I say in the last 20 years of visiting Snowdonia we struck gold with weather, the conditions with the most sensational Sunrise I have seen from Snowdon But this wasn't just about reaching a summit. This was the pinnacle of a journey designed to pull people out of their email chains and departments, to strip away the corporate hierarchy, and to reveal the resilience and camaraderie that lies beneath. My role? To test them physically with a route designed to challenge their limits, and mentally, to see if they could rise back up after that inevitable moment of self-doubt. The Darke & Taylor team didn't just meet that test; they absolutely soared above it.  The crisp Welsh air, biting but invigorating, was our welcome.Ahead lay Snowdon, a formidable beast demanding respect. With me were my two companions:
Our mission: an epic loop starting with the classic Llanberis Path up Snowdon, a descent via the rugged Pyg Track, and then a serious test of endurance—the demanding climb onto the neighbouring Glyderau. Scaling Peaks and Making a Difference: TEAM Blenheim Palace Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Triumph!9/26/2025  It was an absolute pleasure to play a part in the Blenheim Palace team's incredible effort to raise a fantastic amount for Dementia Oxfordshire.
We're still buzzing from the experience, and this morning marked a very special moment: the honor of presenting the Dementia Oxfordshire team with a cheque for £5,584.00, the spectacular result of our successful Three Peaks Challenge More Than Just Mountains The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a test of endurance, teamwork, and sheer willpower and is is no small feat. Every step was hard-won, but knowing the "why"—raising funds for the invaluable work of Dementia Oxfordshire—fueled every single team member. The journey was about more than conquering mountains; it was about demonstrating what a group of committed people can achieve when they rally behind a powerful cause. The camaraderie, the encouragement, and the shared exhaustion forged bonds that will last far longer than the memory of aching muscles. Please read here about the event weekend itself Ever wonder what it's like to climb a mountain, but the "what-ifs" or a lack of confidence hold you back?
That's exactly why people join me. My role is simple: to do the heavy lifting so you can enjoy the experience. I handle the preparation, navigation, and safety, leaving you free to absorb the views, feel the challenge, and simply be present in the moment. This past weekend, my group and I tackled a tough route in Snowdonia, with a whole mix of conditions. The outcome? A safe return for everyone and an incredible sense of accomplishment, all capped off by a sensational sunrise. And yes, as a bonus, I know the legendary breakfast spots afterwards! The journey began in the pitch-black darkness, a world guided only by our head torches. The path, at first a smooth track, slowly transformed into steep climbs and a series of "weird stairways into the clouds," as Adam on his first adventure with described it. Each step was a challenge, a testament to our resolve. There were no distractions, just the rhythmic sound of our boots on the ground and the shared anticipation of what lay ahead. What a weekend!
We just wrapped up our fourth annual team-building event in the stunning Lake District, this time with the fantastic team from Calabrio. Each year, I'm humbled and inspired by the teams I work with, and this group was no exception. My purpose with these events is clear: to test teams both physically and mentally. The outdoors provides a unique and unfiltered arena where true colors shine and team dynamics are revealed in their purest form. This year's challenge was a demanding hike designed to push the Calabrio team outside their comfort zones and into a space of pure collaboration. They truly embraced it, conquering the trails with an incredible display of teamwork and camaraderie. Watching them support each other through every incline and descent was a powerful reminder that while individuals are strong, a cohesive team is unstoppable. The scent of damp earth and the crisp, cool air hit us as we tumbled out of the car. It was 2:30 AM on a Friday, and while most of Oxfordshire was sound asleep, we were about to embark on an adventure that would test our limits: the Yorkshire Three Peaks – not once, but twice.
Our journey began at 10.00PM on Thursday, leaving the familiar comfort of Oxfordshire behind. Head torches strapped on, illuminating a narrow beam into the inky blackness, we started our first ascent. We tackled the "non-traditional" route, a path less trodden, adding an extra layer of challenge to an already formidable undertaking. The only sounds were our footsteps, the rustle of our gear, and the occasional hoot of an owl. Hours blurred into one another as we navigated the rugged terrain under the dark canopy. The Yorkshire Three Peaks isn't just a tough ramble;
It's a truly monumental test of endurance, spirit, and teamwork. For the incredible Team Blenheim, their recent adventure became an unforgettable saga of sheer grit, profound self-discovery, and an absolutely cracking fundraising achievement, raking in over £4,500 (and still counting!) for Dementia Oxford. Their epic journey across 24 miles and up a staggering 5,200 feet of ascent was a powerful demonstration of how unwavering mental resilience and brilliant collective support can conquer any personal challenge. The day itself dawned spectacularly. As the sun began to peek over the horizon, casting the imposing silhouette of Pen-y-Ghent in a glorious amber glow, the stage was set for something truly special. Every single member of Team Blenheim, a wonderfully diverse bunch, felt the immediate strain as they began the steep climb. Early on, those inevitable individual struggles started to emerge. For some, the sheer scale of the challenge sparked moments of quiet self-doubt – a tiny whisper of "can I really do this?" Yet, these fleeting moments of nervousness were swiftly drowned out by the rising tide of camaraderie and cheer. A shared laugh, a supportive hand on the back, or a simple, heartfelt "you've got this!" became the perfect antidote to any fear, pushing personal anxieties aside for the greater good of the team. |