Chance encounters

Over the summer I read an?article?about talking to strangers?and how this can improve our mood, make us feel connected and help us to learn more than we might expect. I was reminded of this a?few weeks ago when I was staring out of window at a rainy runway.? ?

It was late on a Friday night and I had been in Madrid for work. I was tired, my flight was delayed and I wanted to get home. Drew* was a gift at the end of the week. A stranger who improved my mood and taught me more than I might know.? ?

I first noticed him when he came bowling over to say hello. Drew had a neatly trimmed beard, combed-back hair, was well-dressed and bubbly. I badged him to be much younger than his 67 years. He also turned out to be fascinating. Here's why: ?

Drew is a haematologist by trade (a medic with expertise in blood). Now retired, he still runs a London practice for patients, but is often invited to speak at medical conferences (hence Madrid). An average year for Drew would be 50. But ‘Peak Lecture’ was 80 presentations. It was during lockdown so he could reach more events via Zoom. ?

Drew is also an artist and has been invited to place his work in exhibitions. He has a side-hustle turning his colourful molecular designs into iPhone covers, as well as being commissioned to create drawings for medical textbooks. A writer of his own books (60 to date), Drew has been creating medical texts since the 1990s, but also writes on a wide range of topics. He kindly gave me a copy of his book on?public speaking?and?I’m keen to buy another called?Science as Art.

You’d think that with all this focus on work Drew’s health would take a back seat. But he says fitness is important for him too. He drinks “little to no alcohol”, eats well and lifts weight to stay in shape. He says, “I believe age is no barrier. I lift heavier weights than many people younger than me.” Maybe this drives his prodigious output… or perhaps he doesn’t sleep that much! ?

Drew might come across as an insufferable polymath. Someone who can turn his hand to anything he chooses. In fact, he is very likeable, and like us all, he is full of contrasts. Drew “failed school” because he “spent too much?time playing and teaching guitar as a teenager” and had to find his way into medicine via a convoluted journey.? ?

Originally from Glasgow, his surname attaches him to a very particular place in the city. Yet, he has lived in England more than Scotland and feels?“little affinity with Scotland.” He has an interesting relationship with medical interventions. Despite?having worked as a surgeon early in his career he’s terrified of having surgery himself. He also says “don’t come at me with needles” as he hates those too.? ?

So what did I gain from my whirlwind encounter with Drew?

• Grab opportunities to talk to people. You never know what you’ll learn.?
• Other people can lift your mood. You just need to let them in.?
• It’s never too late to start something new. Age is no barrier.?
• Enthusiasm and interest can encourage us to do great things. Drew is re-interpreting ‘retirement’ because he has so many things he wants to do.?
• Look after yourself. Self-care will keep you doing the things you love for longer.?
• Don’t get stuck in one lane – scientists can be artists and artists can be scientists. There are always opportunities to broaden your interests.?
• You never know when you’ll meet a new friend. Drew and I will be staying in touch.??

On the topic of?Swim Jump Fly, it’s one year since I first published the book and to celebrate, I’ve created a digital version.?You can find the eBook and paperback?here?(UK) or for those elsewhere, just search for?Swim Jump Fly?on your local Amazon site.? ?

If you'd like to access free coaching materials or exercises, then why not take a look at the?Swim Jump Fly?website?or??book a free exploratory coaching session with me by writing me a note on LinkedIn.

*Drew has reviewed and signed off this article and is happy to share his story.? ??