When weighing up the potential benefits of undertaking an MBA, the chances are that most people would point to such lofty aspirations as being taught by leading experts in business management, enhancing career opportunities, building a professional network, developing leadership potential and skills, or even sharing ideas with other like minded individuals. Improving personal health and well-being is unlikely to feature. However, that is exactly what's happened to Executive MBA student Matt Oldfield.
Matt explains "My fortunes changed while attending a personal development module for my MBA at Nottingham University. We discussed addiction and activities that damage health and well-being. Goals were set and mine included the challenge of quitting smoking for good. I was resigned to being a life-long smoker who would probably die of a smoking related disease. Despite wanting to quit for many years I never managed for more than a few days. I tried patches, gum, champix prescribed by my GP, and an impressive collection of electronic smoking equipment but to no avail. Eventually I realised that they could never work since I had not actually quit anything but simply changed the nicotine delivery method. Ultimately, cigarettes are still the most effective delivery system of nicotine available so I guess continually giving in to my craving should have come as no great surprise.
"Having failed so many times before I was discussing my doubt of achieving my goal with a friend who I knew had recently quit smoking. He had attended the 'Allen Carr Easyway To Stop Smoking Clinic' and as it had put to an end his own addiction, he enthusiastically recommended it to me. I attended the clinic in May 2014 and am delighted to say I too have not smoked since. The clinic worked because, like the MBA, it forced me to examine and re-evaluate my opinions - in this case related to smoking - and realise they were flawed and merely excuses to justify my addiction. A positive mind-set coupled with abstinence meant quitting was not only easy but also enjoyable and liberating.
"Since quitting, the morning shower coughing ritual has ceased, my paranoia about putting customers off with my smoky smell has gone, the overflowing ashtrays have been thrown away and I am several hundred pounds richer. I've also noticed an improvement in my football stamina significantly increasing my enjoyment of the game. However the real difference didn't happen until a friend offered me the opportunity to represent the nonprofit organisation EMERGENCY UK in this years London Marathon. The thought of running a marathon as a smoker would never have entered my mind as failure was guaranteed. But as a non-smoker I had the confidence to accept the challenge with the belief I could complete the training while raising money for this excellent charity. To my astonishment I have discovered an enjoyment of running and training. EMERGENCY UK provides free, high quality, medical and surgical treatment to the victims of war, landmines and poverty. One of their recent projects includes working with the British Government to operate a hospital for the victims of Ebola in Sierra Leone.
"At the age of 40 I am the fittest now I have ever been and feel privileged to represent such a worthy cause at the London Marathon. It would not be an exaggeration to say that quitting smoking has given me a second chance at life and in many ways it is thanks to the Nottingham MBA."
If you would like to support Matt at the London Marathon donations can be made through https://www.justgiving.com/Matt-Oldfield