From A Childhood Dream to Competing with Athletes: Meet Field Technician, Lewis
Growing up passionate about fitness and rugby, Lewis Prothero was a massive fan of the long-reigning popular TV show, Gladiators, in which contestants test their speed, strength, skill, and agility. Little did he know that one day, he and his wife Toni would be a select few chosen out of 300,000 applicants to compete in front of 10 million viewers.
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Whether it’s seeing Lennox Lewis hurl a knockout, Michael Jordan score 69 points in a single game or the Undertaker take on Triple H at Wrestle-Mania, sports and athleticism have an undeniable impact on children. But for others, it’s more than just a part-time hobby.
For Lewis, sports were a way to express himself. Sometimes as a social activity, one to share with friends such as playing rugby or a competitive one, as he does now with CrossFit and strength and conditioning work. Even in his role as a Field Technician at RPS, Lewis enjoys the physicality of the job and the opportunity to challenge himself. Now, Lewis continues to be surrounded by sports and athleticism as his wife, Toni, is a firefighter and his children enjoy various activities such as gymnastics, rugby and boxing.
This interest extends to a weekly ritual; watching the popular TV show, Gladiators, in which participants compete in a series of physically challenging events against elite athletes. This is a tradition that Lewis and Toni started with their individual families while growing up in the 90s and now have continued with their children.
“At the end of the show, they asked people to enter to possibly be selected for the series. We put it in and didn't think anything else of it. And then a couple of weeks later, we heard back, ‘Can you come and take part in a trial for the show?"
At first, the opportunity was a complete surprise and a bit difficult to believe.
“It was a source of shock. I think literally until the day of your show, you still can't believe it's happening because it's such an iconic show”
After being selected, Lewis and Toni began a thrilling journey, one that tested both their physical and mental strength. They both underwent an extensive and demanding schedule, one that required them to manage their work, their training and the endless possibilities of what would happen as they took part in gruelling challenges.
Lewis was supported by RPS and Tetra Tech with a flexible working schedule which eased the pressure of training, competing and working at the same time.
“My direct manager and his senior team were fantastic. We had to participate three weeks after we got the call, so it was short notice with work. But RPS & Tetra Tech were helpful with moving my work around for that period of time. I also picked up an injury, ripping the skin off the palm of my hand which meant I couldn't do certain things at work, so they were great around that as well.”
It made a tremendous difference to Lewis and his performance going forward.
“As a Field Technician, the work is quite physical, but my team were very helpful in my schedule and in moving things around. They also helped me to stay as fresh as possible and were careful to help me not pick up any more injuries before I went back to do the quarterfinals.”
However, none of this could prepare him for entering the arena for the first time and seeing the thrill of the actual competition.
“To be going on there, it’s like literally living in a childhood dream. When you walk into the arena and see everything, all 5000 staff on personal and the cameras all pointed towards you, it’s nerve-wracking for sure”
The challenges in the show ranged from simple ones such as climbing a wall and high-speed races to more unique ones such as battling on podiums with pugil sticks and rushing to pods inside metal spheres amongst obstacles. However, Lewis shares that the biggest challenges were the trials he didn’t expect.
“It is, of course, ecstatic, but it's probably also the most terrifying thing. At the same time, you're thinking, what have I got myself into? Nothing can prepare you no matter how much training you do. You have to prepare for the adrenaline, the highs and lows of dealing with everything. That's the hardest part and that's the one part I couldn’t have trained for."
It wasn’t long till he found the courage to proceed. “But then with my two young kids in attendance, there was no backing out of that one. I had no choice then after that. It was then that I was fully into it”
This wasn’t the only support for Lewis as his family and friends were there for him through every step of the process.
“Seeing how the rest of my family supported me was awesome because a lot of them had to travel a long way, about 5-6 hours from where it’s filmed in Sheffield. And of course, having my wife and my children there meant more to me than anything.”
Lewis was able to extend this feeling and companionship with his fellow competitors.
“Everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to do well, but you still want everyone else to do well too. You want to push everyone to do their best. So, it's a weird feeling in that sense. Because you don't want to lose, but then at the same time, you're quite happy to see other people do well.”
Despite losing in the final obstacle course race, Lewis and Toni found greater value and importance by seeing the impact they made on the children watching.
“All the kids in the arena wanted a high five, wanted to autograph the four fingers. That was spectacular. Even now, when I’m out coaching my daughter’s rugby team, the other team kids will always come asking ‘What was it like?"
With this unique life-changing experience, Lewis and Toni have gained a great deal of motivation to pursue new challenges, continue their fitness journey and expect the unexpected. Toni is currently training for the Welsh Iron Man in September and Lewis continues to relish coaching his daughter’s rugby team.
Looking back, Lewis only has positive memories, sharing what he’s learned from the unique experience and what others can learn from it too.
“I grew up watching the show. And then I ended up being on the show.! It just proved that anything is possible. Always chase your dreams.
You’d be surprised what you can do when you've got friends and family who support you”.
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