Laurence Penn | Bed Number One: Surviving the Impossible and Finding Resilience

Helping Organisations Thrive with Julian Roberts

In March 2020, a seemingly routine walk turned into a fight for survival when Laurence Penn, a West Sussex businessman became one of the UK's first COVID-19 patients. Rushed to Worthing Hospital, he was placed in an induced coma in Bed Number One—and didn't wake up for 29 days. When he finally regained consciousness, he faced a devastating reality: he'd lost 25 kilograms of muscle mass, couldn't walk unaided, had developed a drop foot and speech impediment, and was told recovery would take 18 months. But rather than accept this prognosis, he chose a different path—one built on discipline, breaking down impossible goals into small wins, and celebrating every milestone, no matter how minor.

This episode explores an extraordinary journey of resilience and mental toughness, from learning to stand five times in a row to cycling 106 miles along the South Downs Way exactly one year after being put into a coma. Discover how daily discipline, controlling what you can control, and seeking perspective from others can transform adversity into strength. Whether you're facing business challenges, health struggles, or personal setbacks, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building resilience, maintaining focus, and finding purpose in the darkest moments. The conversation also touches on how this life-changing experience reshaped his approach to business, leading him to create a leaner, more intentional way of working that prioritises what truly matters.

Connect with Laurence: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencepenn/ Website: https://www.bednumberone.com/ ##########

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: [email protected]

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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