Team Angel Wolf; Inspiring Inclusivity - Interview with Nick Watson

Today Zoe speaks to Nick Watson, ex Royal-marine, father and driving force being non-profit organisation Team Angel Wolf. Nick and his son Rio are well known in the sporting world in Dubai and for the last six years they have raised money doing countless triathlons. KEY TAKEAWAYS Nick and his wife moved to UAE and started developing their fitness business venture there. They started by offering personal training to individual clients and then in 2003 opened their own facility. Nick and his wife Delphine then had their son Rio. Everything was ‘normal’ until Rio had a seizure at six months old. This started a journey to getting a diagnosis, it took 4 ½ years until Rio was diagnosed with a non-hereditary genetic disorder. Rio is non -verbal but absolutely loves anything with repetition, especially nursery rhymes! The family unfortunately went through a really difficult period after Rio was diagnosed in other areas of their life too. They lost their two businesses in succession and then Nick was diagnosed with a bowel growth. But after surgery Nick was reinvigorated and said to his wife as soon as he woke up that he wanted to do an iron man. This was the start of the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. Nick did a triathlon with Rio and discovered it was an incredible bonding experience and they just haven’t stopped since. They have done over 350 races and Rio has done over 10,000 kilometres of races! In 2016 Nick thought about how they could make an impact on others and team angel wolf was born. This year has been very different for Nick and his family and for team angel wolf, like the rest of us. Covid has meant they have had to be more creative with what challenges they do, including doing things inside and having people join virtually. Nick is looking at way to get more people involved in team angel wolf and not just on a local level. His mission is to engage more people to make radical changes in the world of disabilities as well as generally getting all people more active and moving. And most importantly, ensuring everyone is included. BEST MOMENTS  “Rio lives for now” “One day I want to come back with my son and daughter” “that was the turning point then we realised we should race…as a father and as a son we had found a bond…we had found something together” “Our goal has always been about inclusion” “We’re always looking at situations and thinking how can we make the most of this” VALUABLE RESOURCES @teamangelwolf  www.teamangelwolf.com www.petalscharity.org www.tommys.org www.arc-uk.org www.sands.org.uk   ABOUT THE GUEST Nick Watson Team AngelWolf is a not for profit foundation that promotes an inclusive, active life with People of Determination. We work with families and individuals of all abilities in a welcoming, motivational and connected space. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is equal. www.teamangelwolf.com ABOUT THE HOST Zoe Cresswell Devoted mother of two (and a big hairy dog), UK trained midwife, doula and personal trainer, specialising in pre and postnatal fitness. Zoe was born in the UK and before moving to Dubai in 2013 and worked as a midwife in central London, both in a birth centre and a very busy NHS hospital. Although late to the scene, Zoe is an aspiring athlete having won numerous triathlons and representing Great Britain where she placed within the top 10 on the world stage. With her husband James, the couple will soon be launching their cloth nappy company, Bop & Bee, where they hope to inspire families to swap a few disposable nappies a day for the more planet friendly option of cloth. Zoe’s goal is to share her knowledge and experience, tell real life stories, manage expectations and open up those often difficult conversations. Zoe’s own motherhood journey has been full of twists and turns as she put everything on hold and went through numerous miscarriages and rounds of IVF.   CONTACT DETAILS Instagram : @zoecresswell_me Facebook: Zoe Cresswell LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-cresswell