An excerpt from my new book YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES...

Create A Mental Sanctuary

“To the mind that is still, the whole world surrenders. ~ Lao Tzu

Harry Truman, the former US President, was once asked how he managed to handle the pressures of the presidency. He replied: “Because I have a foxhole in my mind.” He then went on to explain that this foxhole was a kind of quiet room that he had created which allowed him to escape when he was serving in the army — a retreat where he would be safe. He often visited this foxhole for rest and recuperation.

Many other people have also used a similar form of mental escape, creating their own idea of paradise — or a safe room, where they can escape the pressures of life and focus their minds upon the positives rather than the negatives. Prisoners of war are a perfect example — there have been numerous accounts of soldiers describing how they built an imaginary mental paradise where they could be free from the physical hardships and torture which they often endured. These men described how they filled their minds with images of their loved ones, and reminisced over pleasant memories, anything that would take them away from present reality.

Perhaps you could create your own mental paradise — build an imaginary world only you can visit — where you can relax and unwind, de-stress and gather your thoughts. I like the sound of the ocean, the sun on my face, the feel of the soft sand between my toes. My mental paradise has all of these.

What will your paradise look like? What would your imagination create? Why not close your eyes right now and let your thoughts run wild? Create whatever you wish — you don’t have to share this with anyone — it is your paradise, no one else’s!

Maybe your paradise is a room — a room with a view. What are you going to have in this room? What does it look like? How is it decorated? Does it have music? Does your room have a view? Perhaps you are in a wooden lodge deep within the forest, or in a cave overlooking the sea — it could even be the clubhouse on your favourite golf course!

It’s your paradise. Make it something special...just for you!

• We all need a mental paradise — a safe house
• Create whatever you desire
• This mental paradise is only for YOU

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Further details on all my books can be found on my website: http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

Make Your Own Rules

Here is another short excerpt from my book YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES (a revised edition of this book is due July 2015)...

Make Your Own Rules

“Live by your own rules. Don’t let anybody hold you back. Be different and be yourself. You only get to live once, so make it whatever you want it to be.” ~ Adam Thomas

You are the boss — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. What you do with your life is up to you and no one else. You make the rules and, if you don’t have any, then it’s time you made some (I’ve included sixty-six in this book to get you started).

Don’t be pushed around. Be everything you wish to be. Devise a solid set of morals, values, principles and rules. Set your own high standards of excellence — and live by them. Keep moving forward, changing and developing new and better rules as you experience new challenges. Be inventive — a visionary! Never stand still, never give up. Learn to be a better person, a better you — the boss, the person who makes the rules. Don’t make excuses for situations you find yourself in — change them!

“I want to learn a new skill and find a new job.” Then do it!

“I want to lead a healthier lifestyle.” Then do it! 

“I don’t want to be controlled by others.” Then don’t! 

“I don’t want to work in a dead-end job.” Then don’t!

Making your own rules doesn’t mean that you are a rebel or an outcast, it means that you willing to make decisions and take personal responsibility for your life — it means you are in control.

Why don’t you create your own rules as you go along. Don’t let other people stop you from living the life that you deserve — make up your own rules and live by them.

Having a firm set of rules and a worthy moral code develop character. “A man’s reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.” ~ Unknown

• Live by your own rules
• Don’t let others hold you back
• Develop better rules as you go along

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'YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES' (new edition coming soon)

The NEW edition of 'YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES' is due June 2015

Are you living your life to its full potential?

Do you know how to make the instant changes necessary to create long-lasting success and happiness in all areas of your life: personal, career, relationships, your finances?

If you don’t, then you should read this book, because it has been written especially for you!

Your Life, Your Rules is a personal code for living — a set of coaching principles that will help you live a happier, more fulfilling, more successful life — a no-nonsense guide that will help you create the new life you have always wanted.

Read it. Absorb it. It will set you free!



This book is a collective result of my coaching ethos — an ethos formed through my twenty years of life coaching, fitness coaching and counselling. It is a definitive plan for living a great life — a concise book of life principles. Principles that work!


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A True Story About Achieving 'The Impossible'

A True Story About Achieving 'The Impossible' 
(taken from my book NEVER GIVE UP)

In May 1954, a British medical student called Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier for the first time.

You may say that is a commendable achievement, but nothing special.

Well, for several years previously, medical and scientific experts had said it would be impossible for a man to run a mile in less than four minutes, as his heart would explode and his muscles tear from the bone. Indeed, many athletes had failed, simply confirming the experts’ doubts.

But it was Roger who defied them. He believed beyond any shadow of a doubt that he could prove them wrong. He succeeded in his quest because he did not share the same constrained beliefs of the scientists.

What’s interesting is the fact that within three years of Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile, another 300 athletes went on to follow him and prove that just because someone says it can’t be done, you don’t have to believe them.


Please visit my website to find more about me and my books http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

The Winner's Mindset

Andrew Rivett

“Ivor Lloyd has coached me mentally and physically for over 17 years. His no-nonsense and passionate approach to coaching has helped transform me from an average marathon runner into a triple world champion.”

Andrew Rivett is the current Guinness World Record Holder — running from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in England. A total of 874 miles in just 9 days 2 hours 26 minutes in May 2002.

‘King’ Kenny Tibble

“Ivor Lloyd was my coach for over 3 years. We worked tirelessly to improve every aspect of my physical and mental fitness. Having someone like Ivor on your side certainly gives you an edge."

2000 British 125cc Motorcycling Champion (4 victories + 4 podium finishes)

Please visit my website to find more about me and my books http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

Tom's Story (from my book NEVER GIVE UP)

Tom’s Story (name changed to protect my client’s identity)

Tom was only twelve years old when his mum first enrolled him at my gym. Although pleasant and well-mannered, Tom had some serious physical and emotional issues which required immediate and prompt attention. His doctor, also a gym member, suggested that Tom would benefit greatly from personal one-to-one coaching to restore his confidence, reduce his weight and improve his fitness. 

Having been classed as morbidly obese by his doctor, Tom’s future health was in serious jeopardy if we failed to give Tom the support and guidance he desperately needed.

After several gentle exercise sessions, Tom confessed that he was a victim of bullying at school. His ‘so-called’ friends teased and abused him, not only verbally, but physically too. The break-up of his parent’s marriage had been the original catalyst to Tom’s eating problems, but the bullying had intensified the problem. He was desperate to gain control once more and wanted to prove the bullies wrong. After agreeing to train with me after school every day, I took Tom under my wing until he gained enough confidence to mingle and mix with other members of the gym.

It would be several weeks before Tom’s weight began to decrease. I hadn’t weighed Tom initially because I didn’t want to draw too much attention to his predicament. Tom knew he was obese. Highlighting it further would only undermine his confidence and hinder any possible progress. Instead, I emphasised his ‘feelings’ as a gauge to success. If he felt good…then that was good! If he felt bad, then...that was just an off day!

Tom worked hard to lose his excess weight. Well, in the gym at least! His mum hadn’t quite grasped the basis of healthy eating, teasing him with chocolate and other treats after each session. I didn’t mind. Tom was in control again. The bullying had stopped and Tom was enjoying life once more. I still see Tom to this day. He is one of the happiest, caring, loving and respectful men I have ever had the pleasure to meet. A true gentleman who always greets you with a smile. To think that I may have helped, even in the slightest of ways, fills me with a great sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Helping Tom turn his life around was one of the proudest moments of my career, if not the proudest!

Please visit my website to find more about me and my books http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES (book excerpt)

Here is a short excerpt from my book YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES (a revised edition of this book is due July 2015)...

Know When To Ask For Help

“Asking for advice does not mean that you are weak, it means you are wise.” ~ T. Fowler

Successful people ask for help and they ask for guidance. Why? Because they have learned to accept their strengths and their weaknesses — they know that they alone cannot do everything themselves. So they ask people who know. They ask for help!

Who would you ask to repair your car? A motor mechanic, of course. You would seek the advice and help of a specialist, someone who had expert knowledge and experience in their particular field. So why do so many of us fail to ask for help when we need it most? Why do we bury our heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away? The answer is rejection! It is the fear of rejection which holds us back. We often think it is a sign of weakness if we ask for help, that we are inadequate, and inferior to others.

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it is actually a sign of strength. Successful people know this, they learn how to delegate, they know when to ask for help. They create an atmosphere of empowerment, making others feel important and valued. They know that if they don’t have the answers, then someone else will. They seek and they overcome. Just like you must do. If you don’t know how to do something then ask. What’s the worst that can happen? You might get a no, but you also might get a YES!

By all means, you should try to do something yourself if it’s within your capabilities and not downright stupid. But do seek the help of the people who can solve your problems; the teachers, the coaches, the mentors, the professionals — do find someone who can help further your career, improve your health, your fitness, your life!

Ask for help in your everyday situations, too. Don’t be afraid to ask for whatever you need or want. If you receive a ‘no’, then what have you lost? Nothing!
Ask! Ask! Then, ask again!

• Know your strengths and weaknesses
• Don’t be afraid of rejection
• Know when to ask for the right help

Please visit my website to find more about me and my books http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

The Andrew Rivett Story (from my book NEVER GIVE UP)

The Andrew Rivett Story

Andrew Rivett first approached me for help in 1994. He had been competing locally in half marathons and middle distance races for several years with only moderate success. He was frustrated with his results and wanted me to help him improve his mental and physical fitness.

The first thing that struck me about Andrew was not his natural ability, but his determination. I have met many driven and determined people before, but Andrew’s will to succeed at any cost made him a winner before we even started working together.

The first objective was to test Andrew’s physical fitness by pushing him to his absolute limit through an intense programme of punishing endurance training. This was not easy and not without risks as Andrew suffered with asthma and was dependent on Ventolin. Once Andrew had achieved the desired physical results, I began working on Andrew’s mental attitude, for you must first win inside the mind before you can win outside of the mind. Yes, to be a winner or a success in life, you must first believe yourself that it is possible before you can go on to achieve your goals. No belief means no victory!

Andrew was beginning to make tremendous progress and entered the Marathon Des Sables, a six day race across the Sahara desert in Morocco, considered to be the toughest foot race on earth. To train for such an event, I asked Andrew to run non-stop for hours on the treadmill whilst wearing a backpack. He would then jump off the treadmill and sit for long periods in the sauna to simulate racing conditions in the desert. I have to admit, Andrew did get some strange looks from other gym members.

Andrew successfully completed the Marathon Des Sables in a respectable position. It would be the first of many endurance races before Andrew set his sights upon his ultimate goal of setting a new world record by running from John O’Groats to Lands End – a total of 874 miles. The world  record stood at just under 11 days; Andrew’s target was to do it in less than 10 days.

I remember a conversation I had with a dear friend of mine; he was a fitness coach of some standing. He told me that it was impossible to break such a record and that my fellow, more experienced coaches thought my lack of a university education in coaching left me looking somewhat foolish amongst my peers.

Well, that was it for me! I was determined to prove the ‘college boys’ wrong. It isn’t academic qualifications that make you a winner; it is sheer guts, courage and the will to give 100% in your efforts to win that make you a champion. My blood was boiling and I was determined to prove them wrong.

On the 13th May 2002, Andrew Rivett recorded the fastest ever run from John O’Groats to Land’s End. He smashed the existing world record to finish the 874 mile challenge in 9 days 2 hours and 26 minutes. His record was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records and still stands to this day (it is recorded in the 2011 edition).

Andrew had proved everyone wrong and also proved that having asthma does not need to stop you from achieving your dreams. I too was delighted because my reputation as a coach and ‘dreamer’ had been restored.

Andrew went on to break two further world records in my gym on 5/6th April 2003:
The record for the fastest time running 100 miles on a treadmill (16 hours, 23 minutes and 16 seconds) and the record for the greatest distance travelled on a treadmill in 24 hours (135.5 miles).
Andrew is living proof that the word impossible really does mean...I’M POSSIBLE!

Please visit my website to find more about me and my books http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd

Who is Ivor Lloyd?

Ivor Lloyd is a motivational coach and author of the books 'NEVER GIVE UP'' and 'YOUR LIFE, YOUR RULES'.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Ivor has helped many people overcome obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams and goals through his unique style of coaching. Indeed, his successful methods, upon which his motivational career is based, helped transform one student, Andrew Rivett, from an average middle-distance runner into a triple world record holder.

Ivor's inimitable, no-nonsense style in which he delivers his message leaves his readers feeling moved, inspired and motivated in equal measure.

Having overcome many challenges in his own life, Ivor now uses his personal and professional experience to enrich the lives of others and to motivate people, having an immediate and long-lasting impact as he shares his secrets to success.

Ivor holds professional qualifications in Coaching, Remedial Therapy and Counselling.

http://ivorlloydcoach.wix.com/ivorlloyd