Important Announcement!
Please welcome Paul Beales (paulbeales) as our new Regional Vice President!
Some of the responsibilities Paul will have as RVP, will be overseeing the chapters, their forums and Facebook pages, and working closely with the Chapter Presidents to help ensure their individual growth, which in the larger picture, will grow the BRS. If you need Paul's help or have any questions for him, please feel free to contact him at PaulBeales "at" TheBarefootRunners "dot" org.
Paul has been a member of the Barefoot Runners Society for one year, and in that time, he’s made a large impression on our community. You may have noticed his involvement in programs such as Amis Sans Shoes and TrailBall®. He has worked tirelessly to support these interests.
Paul’s ‘always wanting to give back attitude’ inspired him to create Amis Sans Shoes, an organization that helps raise funds for various charities, including Care UK, an international aid charity.
He is also one of two ambassadors for TrailBall® in the United Kingdom, a sport founded by our own BRS France Chapter President, Christian Harberts. TrailBall® is inspired by the Rarahipa kickball race of the Native American Tarahumara, or Rarámuri (meaning 'foot runners'), in which teams from two or more communities each kick a small wooden ball along a set trail winding in and out of the canyons.
Paul is 55, married with three children, and is originally from North Yorkshire, United Kingdom; however, he’s been living in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, for the past nine years. He enjoys all outdoor activities, eating out, cinema, music, social networking, and working with charities.
He works as Design Office Manager for a Tensile Fabric Structure company. He studied at the York College of Arts & Technology and Leeds School of Business.
Paul has had his own trials as well. He was diagnosed with chronic heart failure (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in 2011. He says, “Following successful treatment, including receiving an internal pacemaker/defibrillator, learning to run has helped me to beat the illness and return to full health.” When asked why he enjoys running, he replies, “Because I can.”
Paul’s reason for joining the BRS was “to learn how to run properly and safely and socialise with like-minded people.” Wanting to make running more interesting and healthier is what brought him to barefoot and minimalist running.
On July 12, Paul will be walking barefoot on 20' (6m) of hot embers at a temperature of 1300F (700C) in support of Brain Tumour Support and to support a friend who suffers with this condition. Since Paul is unable to run at the moment, dealing with a hernia which he will have operated on June 19, this is something he feels he can do for a good cause that doesn’t require running. Be sure to keep Paul in your thoughts and prayers, and please welcome your new Regional Vice President!