Dave Thompson

Dave Thompson is the Technical Services Manager and Running Coach for Live Active Perthshire.  When his weekday ends he likes to relax (he says he had to google that word and is still not 100% on what it means) in the great outdoors.  He is very passionate about walking and cycling and likes nothing better than a weekend away with Mrs T.

We also learn about how Dave lives with depression and for the most part, keeps it under control by self-medicating with exercise but when it gets too much his employers have been great at helping him get back on track.   He loves working with people and is inspired by them all the time.  We find out more about Dave's working life and what he does with his spare time in this Saturday's Workdays and Weekends interview;

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

I am a bit of a butterfly when it comes to work. There is no such thing as a typical day.  I do everything from discussing electricity consumption and writing to customers about their behaviour to drawing together Health and Safety data and dealing with our climate change proposals.

What signals the start of your weekend/days off?

On Monday evening Anne (Mrs T) and I sit down and go over “The List” and agree whether we will bike or walk next weekend and then what track we will do. From then on, I am focused on next weekend.

What might people be surprised to know about you?

I thought of a few glib answers to this, but then that would not be fair. So, the thing people probably don’t know about me is that I suffer from depression; mostly I self-medicate on exercise, but on 2 occasions (12 month periods!) I have had to take medicine to stabilise my mood to a level where I have been able to function and keep working. Live Active Leisure were brilliant with me through these periods and that was a big help in getting back to (my version of) normal

Top of your bucket list?

East to West transfers of Britain from Dover to Cape Wrath on foot (by B&B we are not totally mad!)

Worst job you’ve ever had?

I don’t think I have ever had a bad job. I have always worked in swimming pools. My first day of my very first job I was asked to unblock a toilet, I asked for equipment and was given a pair of marigolds. That was a bad task, but the job was brilliant

Who or what inspires you?

(image) I am inspired by the amazing things that people can do. This can be anything from someone turning up to a running class who has never done it before and trying their best; right through to Dr Andrew Murray Running from Scotland to the Sahara. I also get fascinated by topics and can spend too long investigating small things like “When I swim do I heat up the pool water”

Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

The one I always tell is my “romantic weekend”. I booked an evening meal and overnight accommodation at the Stronian Hotel I then plotted a walk from the Corran Ferry to the hotel through Glen Scaddle and down the Strontian River – about 18 miles. The walk back to the ferry was much easier and shorter

What’s the best part about your job?

People. I really like people!

What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

Bacon

Complete this sentence; the best things in life are….

Free. That includes making other people happy, watching nature close up and being with our kids!