Each month, we have a chat with a colleague and pose intriguing questions to discover more about them!
Now, let’s uncover Marty’s interview!
1. What’s your secret talent?
Scoffing chocolate in large quantities, without vomiting. If we’re talking something actually useful though I’d say catching an American Football one handed.
2. What’s a recent book or movie that made a big impression on you?
Shoe Dog – by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. Very much a book about resilience and self-belief, whether in personal life or business. A true underdog to top dog story.
3. What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?
I’d love to be able to play the piano. Or wall/ rock climbing seems like a good physical hobby that requires a bit of puzzle solving brain power. Maybe when I retire from sports I’ll invest more time into these.
4. Describe your perfect weekend.
If the stars align and babysitting duties are taken care of, a night away to the Galgorm Spa in Ballymena for my wife and I is pretty perfect.
We got married there, they have an award-winning luxury spa and it’s surrounded by hundreds of acres of land. It’s our happy place, and a nice way to recharge the batteries.
5. You have your own late-night talk show. Who do you invite as your first guest?
I’m thinking outside of the business box, so I would say the likes of Michael Jordan or David Attenborough would have interesting stories to tell.
6. What was your favourite trip you went on?
I’d have to say our first family trip with our daughter, Layla. We did a Disney cruise around the Caribbean and got to spend a day on the Disney Island – Castaway Cay.
Layla’s favourite film is Moana, so naturally she loved the sea, sand and getting to see ‘fishies’ in the clear blue water.
7. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
It depends on the company – if it’s with my family I’d have to say taking Layla for a swim or playpark and out for lunch somewhere. If it’s me time, I’d say gym, take in some sporting action and PlayStation, or something that helps me switch off from the world for a few hours.
8. What’s one thing you are unbeatable at?
I’ll play the eating card again…I’ve only ever known 1 person who can put away as much food as I can. Or choosing the right GIF in an online/ WhatsApp conversation…timing is everything.
I’m pretty solid at mini-golf too to be fair!
9. Do you collect anything?
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) memorabilia and probably too many pairs of trainers!
10. If you could change places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
It would have to be a sports star at the peak of their game, just to experience the adrenaline of competing on the biggest stage and still being ahead of the pack. I don’t have any active sports idols, but Patrick Mahomes (NFL Quarterback) or Max Verstappen (F1 Champion) are two people that spring to mind.