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As we close out an extraordinary year at Optimist Performance, there’s no one better to spotlight than the person about to take on one of the toughest endurance challenges on Earth: Ollie Phillips.

Before he heads off to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, we sat down with him to talk about the year that’s been, what he’s looking forward to on the ocean, how this adventure ties into the values of Optimist Performance, and what excites him most about the year ahead.

What followed was honest and unmistakably Ollie.

What stands out as the defining moment of your year?

“For me, the defining moment has to be January 2025, agreeing to do the row. That was the moment everything changed. Everything this year has been built around it: the training, the planning, and all the conversations it’s opened up.

It’s even galvanised our clients. Two of them are now sponsoring the boat, which is amazing. It’s created new interest and new relationships.

The team has changed this year too – we’ve welcomed new members and said farewell to great friends.. But the row has been the anchor point for the whole year. It’s consumed everything… in a good way.”

What are you most looking forward to out on the ocean?

“Originally I thought: peace and quiet! Now I’ve realised I’m actually looking forward to the structure. Wake up, eat, row, sleep, repeat. There’s something really liberating about that. No noise, no distractions.

And I love the idea of having little moments in the day like check-ins, calls, conversations. Things that break up the monotony and give you something to look forward to.

If we hit Christmas Day and we’ve done the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ (watch out for this!), we’ll already be a quarter of the way across. And by New Year? Halfway.

Those little anchors matter.”

How does this row align with your values and the work we do at Optimist?

“For me, it’s simple: live an adventurous life and play to your potential. You don’t know what you’re capable of unless you try things.

I always say to my kids, ‘You can’t say you don’t like mushrooms if you’ve never had one.’ Adults do the same thing; we say no to things without ever giving them a chance.

This row is me saying yes.

Yes to the unknown.
Yes to adventure.
Yes to seeing what’s possible.

And that’s exactly what we encourage our clients to do with curiosity, courage, and refusing to let life run away from you.”

What excites you most about Optimist Performance in 2026?

“This is the first year we’re going in with a really clear runway. The team feels settled, we’ve got brilliant flagship clients, and we’re in striking distance of some of the biggest companies in the world.

It feels like we’ve steadied the ship and 2026 could be a real breakthrough year.”

If you had to sum up your mindset heading into the row in one word, what would it be?

“Optimistic.

The business is in a great place, the team is in a great place, and the row feels like the start of something significant. A kickstart into the year ahead. Of course I’m nervous ‘you’d be mad not to be, but I’d rather be glass-half-full. There’s so much that could go right.

This is the art of discovery. I’m excited to see what happens.”

(Because an Ollie interview is never just serious…)

What’s the one question we should ask you when you return from the Atlantic?

“Probably something like…‘What are you going to do now to make up for missing the kids at Christmas?’ There’s a lot of sacrifice in doing something like this. The real challenge might actually begin when I get home.”

If you could go on any reality TV show, which one would it be?

“Strictly. 100%.

I’m a phenomenal dancer,  I’d probably win it.
But the team wants me in the jungle eating slugs. So who knows.”

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As Ollie prepares to take on the Atlantic alongside his crew, we just want to say this: we are all behind you. 

Every stroke, every mile, every hard moment and every high will be felt by the entire Optimist Performance community watching, willing you forward, and cheering you on. 

Good luck, Team Seas Life – may the winds be kind, the seas steady, and the adventure be everything you hoped for and more. We couldn’t be prouder.

Follow the journey and support the team:

🌍 Team Seas Life Website: https://www.seaslife.co.uk

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamseaslife/

💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/109513213