Aug 26, 20232 min read

Storytelling at The Rotary Club - "From Jockey to Runner: Unveiling Life's Remarkable Journey"

I was truly honoured to have the privilege of speaking at The Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile last Wednesday.

Richard Albuquerque - President, Roy Tang - Assistant Governor, Sergent at Arms, Jo Lodder - speaker

What a wonderful reminder of the unique connections that Hong Kong often gifts us with – a connection rooted in shared passions and experiences. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Anmol Sawiani at a Malaysian Chamber of Commerce event, and little did I know that this encounter would soon lead me to stand before an attentive audience, ready to share my remarkable journey – a journey that took me from jockey to runner, with a sprinkle of business adventures in between. 🐎🏃‍♂️

Anmol Sawiani, Jo Lodder, Richard Albuquerque,

I took them on a vivid ride into the world of a National Hunt Jockey, where exhilaration and danger collide as you race through the air, clearing fences that stand taller than a person, all while hurtling forward at speeds of 50km per hour – an incredible and almost surreal sensation.

Jo Lodder jumping a National Hunt Fence in a race

𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Amidst the heart-pounding thrill, there were moments that etched deep into my soul. I shared the day when my jockey's license was unexpectedly taken away – a pivotal moment that redefined my trajectory. These are the moments that shape us, moulding us into the people we are destined to become. 💔

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The beauty lies in what came next – those emotionally charged experiences guided me to where I am today. Swapping the jockey's saddle for running shoes metamorphosed running into more than a physical act. It became a release, a way to stride forward even when life's hurdles seem insurmountable.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Heartfelt gratitude to the amazing Rotary Club members for creating an environment brimming with warmth and camaraderie. The shared laughter, the wisdom exchanged – it transformed my act of laying bare my journey into something profoundly special. 🙏

Being presented with a special guest speaker plaque

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: As we tread through life, let us remember that our stories are woven from emotions and experiences. Sharing them can be challenging, even bringing tears, but within those very moments, we uncover layers of strength we never knew we possessed. So, let's continue embracing each twist, turn, and emotion – for it's precisely these aspects that make our journey truly remarkable. 🏃‍♂️💨

Jo Lodder is a trail runner, business leader, and philanthropist. He's the co-founder of JNW Asia, a property marketing company based in Hong Kong focused on Niseko projects, and a master agent of SnowDog, a hospitality brand. He's also became the first person in history to complete the HK5Trails in Hong Kong with the Run for Freedom challenge to raise money for charity. With a passion for helping others and a drive for success, Jo inspires through his love of adventure and entrepreneurship.