Informal Interactions with Phil Lawson-Shanks

With a role that demands such continual focus on the future, how do you unplug and enjoy the present moment outside of working hours?

As a dyslexic with ADHD, I have a very busy (some might say chaotic) mind, so in order to switch that off, I have to do things that are radically different. They usually involve something outrageous. It used to rock climb or do adventure sports like paragliding. Now, I just ride my motorbike or go hiking in nature. Honestly, just looking around and seeing the trees, plants, and animals is very grounding—but it fires up the alternative parts of my brain and frees me up to think in a different way.

Phill and his daughter on her wedding day at Borthwick Castle in Scotland
Phill outside of the Mercedes garage at an F1 race
Phill prepping for takeoff during paragliding in Corpus Christie
Phill’s idea of pure adrenaline