Human 13: Rupert Guinness

Sports Journalist and Author

(Photo: Nathan Roderick)

Rupert is a Sydney-based sports journalist and author, having written 15 books to date – including ‘George Smith – The Biography’. He started his career in journalism in the early 1980’s, and has since worked at The Australian, The Sydney Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers. Rupe has reported on numerous sports, from rugby union and rugby league, to sailing, cricket and a myriad Olympic sports like rowing, cycling, canoeing, and athletics. He has covered many big events also, including 31 Tours de France, 4 Olympic Games, 2 Rugby World Cups and numerous world championships in various sports.

Believe it or not, Rupe has a life beyond the keyboard… “I am married. My wife Libby Bennett is a heritage architect. I am also an ultra-distance cyclist and triathlete, including 10 Ironman distance races and 2 Hawaii Ironman’s. I’ve sailed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race twice (2000/2001), but I wouldn’t say I am a sailor!”

Further, Rupe founded the initiative: ‘Power of the Pedal – Connecting People… Connecting Minds’, a movement to promote mental health and wellbeing. Check out what he is up to at rupertguinness.com.au

Rupert is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:

What brings you the most joy in life?

Sounds simplistic, but seeing friends and family smile, or even cry, in happiness when celebrating an achievement or overcoming adversity. 

What does success mean to you?

This has changed over the years, probably due to changing priorities as life evolves. Today, I would say trying to attempt something and, whatever the result, learning from the experience and building on those lessons. What you set as success at the start, may not be the success you get at the end… and that can surprise you!

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

Perhaps understanding my above two answers? I have so often been defensive to constructive criticism, and may still be a little; but it is a work in progress! I understand that people who are close to me offer their observations because they really do care, as much as they may sting.

What are you most grateful for?

My health and the opportunity I have to use my background as a journalist and lover of ultradistance cycling to promote and develop my ‘Power of the Pedal – Connecting People… Connecting Minds’ initiative into a full-time entity. There is still so much work to do and more resources are needed, but without the sponsors, partners and support I have now, I would not have this opportunity.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

This is such a hard question! There are so many, and to be honest there are probably one or two for each tier of my life. I would say my parents, Perry and Daphne, who divorced after they brought me with them from England to Australia as a four-year-old in 1966. Parents mould their children in so many ways. I would also include my step-mother, Consuelo, who married my father when I was eight, and my mother’s life partner, Robin. We all managed to get on well as a group and have enjoyed many Christmas lunches together.

What do you regret?

Not reading books enough when I was young, or now even! Also, not being taught about Australia’s indigenous history when I was at school. It is one of the most important aspects of historical and social education. I am trying to learn more now, but as I do I realise even more how little we were taught… it upsets me.

Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us about it?

There have been a number, both good and bad… as a package, there are many experiences that have helped mould me into who I am today. They range from the bad moments, like when I first got drunk; or when I was sexually assaulted by a man at age 8 or 9; or when I first threw up a meal to make weight as a rower - I developed bulimia, an eating disorder I still struggle with; or when my parents and some of my close friends have died through disease, injury or misfortune. There are also the great moments, like whenever I was selected for a school rugby team or rowing crew; when I first felt like I had mates at school; or after school when I felt I had a community of friends. Lacking self-esteem has always been an issue for me, so inclusion does help that. Tilt of the lid too, to the various editors who backed me during my journalism career. Their support impacted me, not just by the career opportunities it led to, but by the boost it gave to my self-confidence. Of course, there is also my marriage with Libby in 1996… we are soon to celebrate our 25th anniversary!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t worry so much about what others think of you. If you treat others as you would want to be treated, you’ll do just fine.

What do you doubt most?

Myself - again, working around my lack of self-esteem is a work in progress, but I am getting there… I’m enjoying the challenge. I now see it as a challenge from a positive viewpoint rather than a negative one. How so? Because it’s an area of potential growth, rather than something I should be ashamed of. My ultradistance cycling projects are helping me with this - when I do the 4,900km Race Across America next year, I can’t afford to have self-doubts if I want to finish within the time limit and avoid elimination. So, this time next year I hope to have a better answer if you ask me again!

What is the role of luck in our lives?

I am a big believer that we have a larger say in what opportunities come our way than we recognise. Luck? Maybe ‘fortune’ is a better word… I believe fortune is a consequence of how one lives or acts. Sure, the timing of fortune cannot always be controlled - it can be totally unexpected! But if you look at an out of the blue opportunity or consequence retrospectively, there are usually dots that reveal a trail. There is misfortune too - and the trail of dots may not make total sense. Some things just can’t be explained though – for good and bad – so I won’t debunk ‘luck’!

Do you have a favourite quote? What is it? Why do you like it?

As I mentioned before, ‘treat others as you would want to be treated.’ I know it is paraphrased from religious roots, and I am not drawing on that, but I do believe in the thinking behind it. I am flawed. I know I have not always abided by that quote, but I try. By assessing my actions through this lens, I’ve been able to take better accountability and hopefully become a better person as a result.

What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?

Probably not much different to what I do now. I enjoy my life and the direction it’s heading in. Sure, the resources certainly would help alleviate financial insecurity and help my wife and I realise our dream of buying a house and having a buffer for our later years. Such resources would also allow me to develop the ‘Power of the Pedal – Connecting People… Connecting Minds’ initiative.

If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?

Tough one. If we knew the answer to such a question, I fear that we could unwittingly lose a major source of our motivation in life - and we may not know that, until we know the answer! Not knowing an answer is stimulating… we can still pursue it, or come up with different ideas, and we can listen and change our views. That is all part of the excitement of life.

What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?

That the future of the planet is very much going to be impacted by how we – as human beings – treat and respect it. Everything we do as individuals in our day can impact the future of the planet.

Should we think of morality in relative or absolute terms?

Gosh, this is a discussion point that has no end. I am open minded to consider the reasoning behind both viewpoints. 

Do human beings have free will?

As long as we have minds, we have free thoughts; but free will is something history has shown has too often not been the case – or is still not the case.

Do you believe in God?

I do believe in a ‘greater power’. I am a spiritual person, and respect and tap into the learnings of many ‘Gods’. Religion is another issue. The history of religion in creating war, sufferance and abuse can’t be ignored. 

Could we be living in a simulated universe?

I don’t believe so, or I hope not! Mind you, the more movies I watch, the more I tease my thought process by asking myself about this possibility!

Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?

Technology brings so many positives, but also a lot of negatives. Part of the answer includes my understanding that as mankind evolves and learns, technology also develops… and the purpose of that technology may be for the good of mankind, but similarly can be abused. The net positive or negative influence of such development will always hinge on those who are in power. History has proven that, and sadly I suspect will continue to do so. I have not answered your question, other than to elude to my suspicions about those who hold power in the world. But let’s pour a half glass full - let’s hope that humanity does learn from the past, and embrace continual development of technology under strict mandates to help the world, not destroy it.

What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?

Landing on the Moon. It showed the world that what is perceived as impossible in life can be possible. I would also cite humanity’s ability to rebound from so many wars, conflicts and change. Add to that, the ability of humanity to communicate amidst so many languages and cultures.

What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?

Humanity itself.

What does it mean to live a good life?

To make the most of the opportunities that come your way, fairly and happily. And if not, learn from the experience.

What is a good death?

Painless, comfortable and with time to reflect - preferably with loved ones - and feeling full and grateful about the life you have led. If not, that it be quick.

What question should I have asked you?

What is/are my biggest regret/s? The answer would have been, my mistakes or times when I have disappointed or let myself and/or other people down. However, there is one positive to reap from that - I have learned that when this does happen, I can’t ‘un-do’ it, I can only recognise it and try to be better in the future. Life is a constant cycle of learning… but that is an exciting thing, if you really want it to be.

Thanks for your time, Rupe!

If you haven’t already, please SUBSCRIBE BELOW to support this blog!