[ I N - D E P T H
all-consuming”. Being able to balance the demands of
the role alongside a fitness regime and family life has
become McGrath’s forte, despite acknowledging the
challenges when he first made the transition from the
Regiment to capital markets.
In his book, he writes: “Within a year I found the
rhythm of corporate life corrosive to my health: 11-13
hours at a desk, wedded to a smartphone, late-night
conference calls, client entertainment, long-haul trav-
el, to say nothing of the numerous family milestones
missed or not enjoyed due to a preoccupation with
work.”
It’s now been 20 years since McGrath passed se-
lection for the Parachute Regiment, and just 10 years
since he made the transition to investment banking.
But he has tried never to abandon the rigorous training
regime and mentality ingrained in his twenties. After
the overwhelming feelings he was experiencing in
that first year he refers to in the quote above, McGrath
made the decision to stop sacrificing health for wealth
and introduced a plan to integrate a demanding phisi-
“There’s not a part of my life that hasn’t
been enriched by a daily training regime and
concurrently investing in my health.”
cal fitness regime into his life.
Perhaps surprisingly, he insists he’s fitter now than
ever before, despite now occupying a day job which
doesn’t require an elite fitness level as a pre-requisite,
unlike his military days.
Be Para Fit
In his new book - Be Para Fit - McGrath provides a
guide for his industry counterparts to fit an effective
training regime into their daily schedule, just as he has
done himself. He insists that since leaving the Paras,
he has perfected an efficient and impactful schedule
and is keen to share this with others.
You may think this is easy for someone with a
decorated military background, and top 10 finishes in
seven ultramarathons, but McGrath shuns the label of
“superhuman” and is adamant it only takes four weeks
of commitment to embed a training regime into day-
to-day life.
“Distil anything to a headline and it looks more im-
pressive than it really is and there’s a catalogue of false
starts and near misses lurking beneath the surface. If
I have any super powers it’s a belief that anything is
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S A M
M C G R AT H ]
possible, which I owe to my par-
ents, and a grit to keep going where
most give up, which I owe to the
Parachute Regiment.”
Health and fitness is deep-rooted
in McGrath’s life philosophy, and
has underpinned every move he’s
made. He believes it makes him a
better father, partner and worker.
Now for those who claim they
don’t have time, consider that
McGrath has been training for
ultra-marathons during his time in
investment banking, while raising
four children and penning two
books. He says the regime doesn’t
compete with his work and family
commitments, rather it comple-
ments them.
For the Parachute Regiment, the
intense training readies its recruits
to not just survive, but thrive in
adversity, and the exercises they
undertake builds a mindset which
allows them to do just that.
Six hours is all it takes
Moving into his role as managing
director, corporate and institu-
tional banking, McGrath knew he
wouldn’t have the time he used to,
but believes just six hours a week
is enough to be “Para Fit” if you
prioritise and schedule.
“There’s not a part of my life that
hasn’t been enriched by a daily
training regime and concurrently
investing in my health through
sleep and nutrition,” McGrath
adds. “But I believe the single big-
gest benefit of pushing your body
physically is the mindset it fosters;
which equips you with the confi-
dence, grit and self-reliance to lean
into any professional challenge and
keeping going as those around you
give in.”
Completing an ultra-marathon
is one thing, but competing is an-
other. For McGrath to boast top 10
finishes across multiple races while
juggling the other commitments in
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