From Outward Bound to Taipei Word Master Games

Earlier this year, we shared with you - Outward Bound alum and supporter - John Gluckman’s amazing life story. Since then, John has been busy taking part in running events in the World Masters Games in Taipei and summiting mountain peaks in between races!

Having just been through his second bout of cancer at the end of last year, followed by surgery and chemotherapy through to this year, this is even greater a feat! 

John is an Outward Bound alumni – completing course 57 as a part of Scott Watch in 1968. At 17 years old, his Outward Bound course is what triggered his great love for outdoor activities and epic adventures. 

We asked John to share some of the lessons he has learnt along the way. Here’s what he said: 

"First (most important) is developing a passion for what one does. A person with passion and only a moderate amount of natural ability will usually do better than a person with far more natural ability but very little motivation to use it.  

There are no short cuts to success. Dedication, self-discipline, diligence and passion are essential elements for success in all walks of life. Also going further into that vast “no man’s land” that separates your APPARENT limits from your REAL limits.”  

This philosophy - feel the fear and do it anyway - has been a recurring theme at Outward Bound for the past 70 years."

On being in his later years as an athlete, John says: 

“I am 74 years old and to me age is just a number. We may not be able to train as hard or do as much when we get older, but you can always learn to train smarter. While we will not keep improving indefinitely as we get older, we can always keep on getting better for our age.” 

We asked John how he found competing following his recent liver removal surgery and chemotherapy: 

“A positive attitude, having a propose for living and having goals are the main elements that will help one get through.  

I think that my goal of wanting to compete in Taiwan was one of the elements that helped, although a high degree of physical fitness and the fact that I was one of those lucky people that tolerated chemotherapy well also helped. 

My aim during the run was to focus on the run and during the race I did not think at all about the past surgery and chemotherapy.  

A year ago I developed bladder cancer, and I don’t know how I got it. The important thing was to think how to get out of it and not how I got into it. 

On opportunity – and making your own opportunity: 

"Opportunity is another element. I have competed in four Winter World Masters Games as a cross-country skier. Despite living a long way from the snow, I won an unlikely bronze medal in my second games. Cross country-skiing in the South Island, and cross training in general have gone a long way to train for this, not to mention training at Snow Planet (an indoor snow park). Using cross country skis and not the lift tow to get back up the slope helped. Where there is a will there is usually a way! 

This training also helped in my expeditions of skiing across Greenland, and skiing to the South Pole. One can usually find an opportunity if one looks hard enough."

John’s favourite quotes: 

• Being successful is like going to the toilet, no one else is ever going to do it for you. 

• Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do - John Wooden. 

• You are not judged by the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed - Frederick Douglass. 

• You have to be prepared to do what others will not do today, so you can do what others cannot do tomorrow - Jerry Rice. 

What’s next for John? 

"I also am hoping to ski at the next Winter World Masters Games as a cross-country skier in Finland  in 2028."