Purpose: The Compass That Guides Us

At Inspirational Group, we talk often about purpose—how it drives actions, sustains resilience, and brings meaning to our endeavours. On Day 17 of The World’s Toughest Row, Dave Radford-Wilson MBE from Invictus Atlantic shared a powerful reflection on what purpose means to him during this extraordinary challenge.

Here’s what Dave had to say:

"Purpose sets what we do and gives direction to our actions. It’s also what we gauge our success by. Without it, we’d do an awful lot of work for no reason at all."

For Dave, purpose exists on three levels: individual, team, and overarching mission.

1. Individual Purpose: A Personal Journey with Nature and Resilience

Sitting in a small boat surrounded by the vastness of the ocean, Dave finds himself humbled and inspired by the power of Mother Nature. From the zillion stars above to the immense waves below, this journey is a reminder of both our insignificance and our incredible potential.

“It’s humbling to sit in the middle of the ocean and feel infinitely small, yet at the same time empowered by the forces of nature.”

This connection to nature fuels Dave’s personal purpose: to push his body and mind, discover new limits, and bring those learnings back to his daily life. It’s a challenge to explore what the human body and mind are capable of achieving, and to use those insights to help others.

2. Team Purpose: Supporting the Invictus Trust

As a team, Invictus Atlantic’s purpose is clear: to raise awareness and funds for the Invictus Trust, an adolescent mental health charity.

Life for young people is becoming increasingly difficult, and the crew’s journey is not just about crossing the Atlantic but about showing the resilience needed to overcome challenges—whether physical, mental, or emotional. Every mile rowed is dedicated to supporting young people and ensuring they receive the help they need.

“We’re working on our own resilience out here, and every stroke is for the Invictus Trust and the young people they help. We hope the money raised will make a lasting impact.”

3. Overarching Mission: Learning, Giving, Becoming

A challenge as monumental as rowing 3,000 miles provides an opportunity to create more than one purpose. It’s a chance to maximize the meaning of every action.

For Dave, this journey is about more than personal growth or teamwork. It’s about harnessing the experience—its lessons, hardships, and triumphs—and sharing them to inspire others.

“Purpose is about maximizing the opportunity of what you’re doing. It’s about creating impact for yourself, your team, and the world around you.”

Purpose as a Universal Guide

Dave’s reflections highlight a profound truth: purpose is what keeps us moving forward, especially when the path is hard. It’s the measure of success, the source of resilience, and the reason we endure.

At Inspirational Group, we believe that purpose is the foundation of leadership, both on and off the ocean. It’s what transforms challenges into opportunities and actions into impact.

As Invictus Atlantic continues their journey, we’re reminded of the importance of aligning with a purpose greater than ourselves. Every stroke they row, every wave they face, is guided by purpose—and it’s a lesson we can all take into our own lives. Read more about why we chose to support this incredible mission here.

?? Watch Dave’s full video message here:

?? Support the crew and their mission to raise funds for adolescent mental health here.

#IGxInvictus #BeInspirational #WorldsToughestRow #Purpose #LeadershipForABetterTomorrow Luke Morgan James Brittain-Long Paul Hayes