For the first interview of 2025 I wanted to chat with my friend George who I met when I moved to the Maidenhead area as we both have young kids. Over time George helped me progress further with my running and is one of the reasons I’ve been able to achieve some of my recent fitness goals. I wanted to get a bit of an idea what their process is with running and fitness in general as well as their time in the military and how the two link together so please do take a read!
Could you introduce yourself to us? Who are you and what do you do?
Hello everyone, I am George Moore I am 31 and my background is in the Military in which I served for four years until 2020 and now I currently work for Thames Water as a Senior Process Controller.
Where are you currently based?
I currently live in Maidenhead in Berkshire, it’s a nice little place really!
What do you like about Maidenhead?
With Maidenhead It has everything I need, it’s not too busy and I’m not too fond of busy places. The nature side is amazing, you could be in the Town centre but go a few miles out and you can reach Dorney lake, the River Thames, the River Jubilee and places like that. I am one of these people who is always outdoors whether it be walking or running.
Maidenheads nature is second to none really, you have the countryside right on your doorstep.
As you are not originally from Maidenhead, and you’ve lived here for a few years now would you consider this town as your home?
I would say so yes, I’ve been here almost five years now. I grew up in Weybridge, Surrey then when I joined the Military in 2016 I was based in four different stations, I didn’t feel like I had a place to call home during that time.
I came to Maidenhead in 2020 just before lockdown happened and I would now say it’s become home for me, I feel settled now that I am somewhere for a longer period of time.
You mentioned enjoying the nature of the area but is there a specific area or aspect of Maidenhead that stands out to you?
I would say Maidenhead Athletic Club actually, I joined about a year ago and It is honestly one of the best things I have ever done. I love getting back into my running, It has a social aspect as I get to meet so many different people. I love running and this club has become such a big part of my life now that it always stands out to me.
You’ve mentioned that prior to living in Maidenhead you were in the Military. What made you want to join the Military and from what years did you serve?
The main factor behind me joining the military was… I was in my early 20’s and I really wanted a bit of a challenge. I’ve always been into Football, running and going to the gym, I also have a family friend who served in the same regiment that I joined which was the Royal Engineers.
I spoke to them one day saying I was thinking of joining and they said it would be a great idea as I was so into my fitness and it would certainly create the challenge I was looking for due to being away from home, the physical and mental challenges too.
I love to test myself through and while only being there from 2016-2020 I felt like I did well. I don’t really regret anything about it other than that I didn’t join sooner!
Could you expand on what your role as a Royal Engineer was like?
I actually joined the Military to become a Carpenter and Joiner so I would do my basic training and also earn a trade out of the experience. How it worked out though was not exactly like that. I did my basic training for 4 months in Pirbright, Surrey. After that I went to Gibraltar Barracks near Fleet to do combat engineering training which I really enjoyed.
Then I did some further training in the carpentry and joining trade which was in Chatham, Kent for about 6 months, this is where we spent most of our time in a workshop building things like stairs, windows and stud walls.
After all this training I joined my unit in Tidworth, I was based there for three years in the armoured engineering squadron which didn’t really focus on the trade side of things. My day to day duties were to be a solider and also look after a fleet of tanks. I thought I’d go for training and then be sent abroad to help build things but that didn’t really happen possibly due to a lack of funding which is a shame because I think the Military has lost some very good soldiers due to boredom.
It’s just my experience but some people get bored and want new challenges.
Were you able to be deployed anywhere abroad in the end?
Yes I was only deployed abroad once and it was a surreal experience because we get three weeks leave around Xmas time, so in December 2017 I went to visit family friends in Australia as a holiday during their Summer then I flew back to England, went to my parents briefly to get ready and then hop on a flight from an RAF base to Calgary in Canada during their Winter. It was a shock to the body as I went between two massively different temperatures in 24hours, I had never been to somewhere so cold, we were working in -30-40°C.
What was the purpose of being deployed there?
It was an exercise in war planning. This was the only bit of Carpentry and Joinery work we actually did which I really enjoyed. We were given tasks in their huge training area and my role was to be in the workshop building fences, doors, windows and stud walls amongst other things. The purpose of building was to be able to build up the training area, for example we could make it look like a real warzone or whatever is needed for the training.
Do you think Basic training is a good indication to find those who can make it and those who are not suitable for the Military?
Yeah, I would say so, when I joined basic training there were about 120 of us across four sections of 30 people. In the first week roughly 90 people were left so 25% dropped out. It could be down to injury, not reaching the standards or just not wanting to be there. I think now within the first six or seven weeks you can just leave but once you’re passed the seven weeks you’re in for a minimum of four years of service.
Ultimately if someone Is not suitable, they should leave, you need to be at a high standard to defend your country.
What would you say is the best part of being in the Military?
I was thinking about this recently. Even though it was physically and mentally the hardest time it would have to be basic training. We were doing Personal Training sessions 5 or 6 times a week and I loved it, I went into the Military reasonably fit anyway but It really suited me, to have these challenges and tests to push yourself through with a bunch of lads in the same position as you, it really built a sense of camaraderie.
What was the hardest part?
I would say for most people It would be being away from friends and family but I am quite independent so that aspect was not too difficult for me. I was also quite good at the physical and admin side of things, some people find the admin side quite difficult and I guess it could be hard for me because, for example you’d need to make your bed with no creases in it and if you did you’d get the Corporals coming round and they would throw everything out of your locker or mess your bed up.
I found that frustrating at times because the perfectionist in me would be annoyed that I didn’t hit the standard, but it wasn’t often. I do think the standard were higher before my time though.
Do you think being in the Military made you who you are today?
Yes I would say so definitely in my mind set as I have always wanted to be the best at what I do but I do think the mindset the military gives you is to never give up. For example if I’m going out for a run I like to push myself to the limit even if I’m aching and sore I am always thinking “Just get on with it”.
There are people in the military who have gone to war, lost limbs and things like that. This drives me to keep pushing because I know people that have really gone through real hardship and pain, so a little run is nothing to complain about. We are specifically trained never to give up no matter how hard things get.
This makes me also think of those that have lost limbs in war who don’t let it effect their life they just get on with life as best they can, it’s inspirational.
Would you say that being in the Military instils discipline in someone?
Yes one hundred percent, I believe discipline is so important and if there was one thing I would ever advise someone on who wanted to better themselves it would be to be disciplined. Motivation is great but discipline is key.
I remember it could be something simple like having a single crease in your shorts for a Personal training session it would be humiliating because if something wasn’t right you’d be made an example of in front of everyone, something like doing extra laps or push ups, sometimes other would have to join you just because of your own mistake.
Do you have any thoughts about National Service returning, it’s been thrown around in the news quite a lot in the last year.
If I’m honest I think it would have some benefits if it were brought back like developing life skills and discipline. However, I think the standard would be dropped if it was mandatory, also you’d only want people there who want to be there otherwise they won’t get much out of it. So as a mandatory service I wouldn’t recommend it.
What made you decide to leave the Military, was there any form of regret in that decision?
The main reason was because I felt I was not getting much job satisfaction out of it and there was generally low morale. Some days I regret leaving but life’s not always plain sailing, I have had a difficult 2024 but I feel I made the right choices that lead me to where I am now and leaving the military was a part of that.
Do you miss anything about the Military?
I miss seeing my friends every day, I still see people but being in the PT sessions and things like that had a real sense of camaraderie where you were going through difficult times together, helping each other reach their goals. I think Basic training really created strong bonds between us and I’m happy I’m still in contact with people I trained with but I just don’t see them as often now.
You are someone who got me to reach the next level in my running and fitness progress, when did you begin running and why do you enjoy it?
I began when I was 8 years as I was playing Football, which is probably a bit late actually. I got quite good at football and played at a county level for Surrey as a teenager. I was always a fast runner which helped me in my Football as it was rare I’d get caught by the other players. When I was about 17 that’s when I gave up Football and focussed a bit more on the running side.
I’d always been running but I just liked to put my headphones in a run locally when I could, being able to get in my own headspace was great and it’s still a bit like that today, however since then I’ve done races, cross countries and more.
Running is so popular now which is great, it doesn’t matter if you’re fast or slow but since Covid lockdowns it’s exploded in popularity, it’s great for your physical and mental health which I can attest to.
I can only echo what you’re saying, for me running is actually more for my mental health than physical health. Would you say that being in the Military is what got you and kept you physically fit?
I think I’m fitter now running-wise than I was in the military as the military was more about weight like carrying our kit when we went out on TABS which a tactical advance to battle. I was probably stronger in the military but much leaner now.
How do you go about setting yourself a goal physically like with running?
To be honest since I joined Maidenhead Athletic Club in January last year it was great as they do loads of different sessions, so Tuesdays would be interval track sessions which is my favourite session. On Wednesdays there are sociable runs which is fantastic as it’s a way to meet new people and go at your own pace.
Thursdays they do circuits, Saturday is Park run which you’ve attended. Sunday they do a long run. It’s all organised well and good to see everyone but to answer your question I tend to just follow whatever is going on when I join and set a goal accordingly, I have support all around me from the club. (MAC has also been mentioned in a previous blog)
How do you continue to push yourself when you feel like your body can’t run anymore, I think we’ve all felt it at one time or another.
It comes naturally to me as I always try to give my best, I always want to be the best and while that’s not always possible I have the mindset that I am as it helps me to keep going. Generally, you need to have faith in yourself and motivate yourself, you also need to respect yourself. If you have a hard session or run, you need to tell yourself you did a good job and I think you could probably do something similar in different aspects of your life, tell yourself you’ve done a good job!
Would you say that exercise for you is about results or is it about your health
In 2024 I only really raced once by doing a 5K, this year I’m going to do the Easter 10 mile run in Maidenhead, I’ll do the Maidenhead half marathon in October and just continue to try out new distances with decent times.
With running I think you can learn a lot, it’s not as simple as just putting your shoes on you need to think about rest, training and diet amongst other things. In the last 6 months I’m certainly more educated in running. So this year it is a bit more about the results as well as the usual enjoyment I get.
Going back to Maidenhead Athletic Club do you feel joining this community has changed things up for you in any way regarding your running experience?
I’ll be honest I wanted to join MAC a few years ago but it never really happened. Now that I’ve taken my running to another level it’s only been a benefit to join the running club. I’ve met so many people locally through this club and it’s really helped my overall experience of living in the area too. I’m grateful for the club it’s one of the best things I’ve done both for the social side and the goal setting.
What is your biggest achievement in running?
Last year I was figuring out what type of runner I am as I enjoy running fast, I managed a nice 5k personal best which I’ll try to beat this year as I’ve been working on my training plan. Overall though I’ve done a few half-marathons for charity and last year I did a marathon walk in Clapham Common which was with work colleagues to raise money for breast cancer.
This was interesting because it wasn’t a run and was difficult in it’s own way being on your feet for over 8 hours walking.
Where do you see your next challenge being?
I have a 24-hour race in June called Endure 24 with a team of 5 total, we all run as many laps as we can in that period as a team and tag in and out. Before that though the next one will be the Maidenhead easter 10-mile run, I’ve never done a 10-mile run before so I’m interested in my pace and time.
Being a father of a young child do you find yourself trying to include them in your physical activities in some way?
I take my daughter to park run every other weekend as I have a running buggy which is a good bit of kit actually! I was sceptical at first but as she’s gotten older she seems to really enjoy it, getting outside and doing exercise. When she’s 4 she could do Junior park run if they want to, I’d never force them to do anything but if they have an interest in running I’m more than happy to include her.
If you had any advice for someone looking to begin running or exercising in general what would you suggest?
I could give you a few answers here, but I do find a lot of people don’t want to start running as they have a fear of being slow or not fit enough. At the end of the day we all have to start somewhere, people say I’m fast but this didn’t happen overnight it takes a lot of commitment and hard work to reach a high standard but you don’t have to do the same, if you want to do your own pace and complete a 5K run it doesn’t matter how long you take I’ll support anyone wanting to get out there and run.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, take your time and don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with injuries. I’ve made mistakes before because I didn’t listen to my body, you need to rest up well. Don’t worry about what others think and don’t let social media be your main reason for running just because you see someone else’s time, do it for you and keep staking days, trust the process.
If you need support I would suggest joining a running club, it can change your life!
I wanted to thank George for taking the time to speak with me about their experiences, if you want to follow George you can find them on Instagram here. For more interviews like this one please continue to check back or head over to my interviews page here. Consider also following the blog on Instagram!
Interviews With You! By Lewis Jane 
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