Ant Middleton Quotes

Ant Middleton

Profession : Soldier

Birth : September 22, 1980

When it comes to Everest, psychologically, you have to be in the red. If you're not, it doesn't matter how fit you are. I've seen the fittest of people, who I thought would steam up the top of Everest, allow the pressure to take over their body.

Ant Middleton

I never looked for trouble, but when it found me, I wouldn't hesitate.

Ant Middleton

The kids have got their iPads, but they prefer to get out climbing trees and coming out with me. That's the kind of learning I want them to have: experiences.

Ant Middleton

I don't stick to a routine, because I like to mix things up, which stops training becoming boring and helps shock muscles into firing up.

Ant Middleton

I love dogs, but they are a big responsibility, and with four children, having one would be too much.

Ant Middleton

I wanted a challenge, wanted to be self-sufficient, so I thought, 'Go and join the army,' at a young age, and I just happened to be good at what I done and went up the ladder and went up to the top.

Ant Middleton

When I first joined the army, I felt I had to be part of the alpha male culture. But I didn't.

Ant Middleton

Never, ever command respect. Always earn it. A leader steps into the arena, and a great leader should never ask anyone to do anything that they haven't done or they haven't experienced.

Ant Middleton

I joined the army because I was a very self-sufficient young man. I always wanted to stand on my own two feet.

Ant Middleton

I was very selfish when I was in the military - a very selfish man.

Ant Middleton

Basic training was hard, but I made it - because I wanted to be the best me. Sometimes you have to learn that being the best you is being the second best you. I learned the hard way that the army doesn't want people who always come first. Otherwise, there would be only one person in the army.

Ant Middleton

I had a tough childhood after my father died when I was five, and I had a very difficult stepfather. I want to give my children what I didn't have - a good role model.

Ant Middleton

A lot of people want to go out there, help people, and save the world. Sadly, half the time they can't even help themselves.

Ant Middleton

It's asking that never-ending question, 'Who am I?' which motivates me and takes me on a constant journey of self-discovery that teaches me so much. Will Everest make me more cautious? In reality, probably not.

Ant Middleton

The lowest point for me was ending up in prison after a violent event. I realised I was way out of my depth.

Ant Middleton

When I was younger, if I got into arguments, I'd become aggressive and violent, but I learnt the hard way that was only going to end negatively.

Ant Middleton

I was point man, which meant I was the first through the door, hunting down Taliban commanders, knocking down forts every night.

Ant Middleton

I'm from a generation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our battleground was where we learned. It's not like the old generation where they used to train and train and train, and then suddenly an operation would come up, and they'd go on it.

Ant Middleton

You come on my course and enter my world - I don't care who you are or where you're from - you're a number until you prove yourself otherwise.

Ant Middleton

Don't try to be me. No one but me can be me. But you can be you. Look inside yourself and get to know who the real you is. And then be that person. The best version of you.

Ant Middleton