Adam Radcliffe, a former corporate engineer who resigned from his job three years ago, has joined three Royal Marine veterans on a perilous 3,500-nautical-mile rowing expedition across the North Atlantic. The team, named ‘United We Conquer,’ aims to break the world record for the fastest four-person west-to-east crossing of the North Atlantic while simultaneously raising funds for veterans’ mental health initiatives. Their mission is to raise £50,000 for the mental health charity Heads Up, which provides support to the British armed forces community.
The team plans to depart from Liberty Landing, New Jersey, on Thursday, with the goal of reaching the Isles of Scilly in the UK within 43 days, 21 hours, and 26 minutes. This ambitious challenge will push both the physical and mental limits of the crew, who are navigating one of the world’s most hazardous oceans. The team comprises of former Royal Marine veterans David ‘Brucey’ Bruce and Sam ‘Nutty’ Edwards, alongside Radcliffe and his teammate Jack Jarvis, a 12-year British army veteran who previously held the record for solo rowing across the Atlantic in 111 days.
Jarvis, who recently left the military service in February, expressed that the expedition provides a renewed sense of purpose after transitioning to civilian life. He humorously noted the camaraderie that will develop from living with ‘three other hairy men’ for more than 40 days. ‘Doing something like this gives me that purpose, that meaning,’ he said. ‘I’m doing something worthwhile with my time and making a difference.’
Radcliffe, who left his corporate job to pursue adventure content on YouTube, emphasized the importance of mental health and the power of taking control of one’s environment. ‘Whether you’ve served in the armed forces or not, mental health challenges are very real. The message is that you can take back some of that power in your life again,’ he explained.
The team’s journey began with the recovery and repair of an abandoned boat previously lost off the coast of Africa. They found the boat in the Canary Islands, restored it in the Bahamas, and sailed it to Florida before arriving in New York. The expedition carries substantial risks, with the North Atlantic known for its treacherous conditions and numerous fatalities associated with such long-distance rowing attempts. Despite these dangers, Jarvis stated that the challenge is worth it for the sense of fulfillment and legacy he seeks. ‘I want to make sure I don’t leave lots of space on the table in terms of fulfilling my potential,’ he added.
Once they complete the crossing to the Isles of Scilly, the team plans to continue their journey to Northampton, England, where they will end their adventure together. Their use of Elon Musk’s Starlink technology for communication and the ability for supporters to track their location via Garmin will provide both real-time updates on their progress and a mechanism for public donations to the Heads Up charity. The current world record for this type of crossing still stands at over a decade, with the previous record set by Leven Brown, Don Lennox, Ray Carroll, and Livar Nysted, who completed the row from Battery Park, New York, to the Isles of Scilly on June 17, 2010.
Radcliffe and Jarvis both shared insights into how they’ve overcome adversity, emphasizing that regardless of the scale, adversity is an inevitable part of life. ‘Whether you’re fighting in a war or just fighting to get out of bed in the morning, that can feel insurmountable,’ Radcliffe said. ‘But adversity can be anything from rowing the Atlantic to getting up for a 12-hour shift you hate, but you have to do it to support your family.’
Radcliffe’s journey from corporate life to adventure has drawn attention from various media outlets, highlighting the increasing trend of seeking fulfillment beyond traditional career paths. His experience serves as a testament to the growing movement of individuals revaluing their lives and seeking meaning through unconventional means. Radcliffe and Jarvis continue to inspire others, reminding them that even the smallest steps can lead to significant changes in their lives.