Mike Noel-Smith Interview Published on: 18, Jul 2025

My global experience in governance and leadership reveals human potentialas truly boundless. I've witnessed incredible adaptability, resilience, and innovative problem-solving across diverse cultures and complex challenges. This exposure highlights a universal drive for progress and dignity, demonstrating that human capacity for effective leadership and positive change is inherent and flourishes when given opportunity and trust.

Navigating corporate structures mirrors ultra-distance adventures in demanding unwavering perseveranceand meticulous strategy. Both require enduring discomfort, managing limited resources, and adapting swiftly to unforeseen obstacles. Mental fortitude is paramount –pushing through self-doubt and fatigue to reach distant goals. Ultimately, success hinges on a resilient mindset and the relentless pursuit of progress, one step or decision at a time.

Balancing consulting's structure with fantasy's freedom is invigorating. My consulting work demands rigorous logic and discipline, which paradoxically fuels my creative process, providing a mental framework. Fantasy writing, in turn, offers boundless imagination, a vital escape that recharges my analytical mind. Each informs and enriches the other, creating a unique synergy. Rowing across the Indian Ocean is an extraordinary feat-what drove you to take on such a challenge, and what did it teach you about yourself?

Rowing across the Indian Ocean was an extraordinary feat, driven by a profound commitment to a great charity. The challenge was amplified by the fact that, at the time, no one had successfully completedthis specific row. We dedicated a gruellingyear to training, even sacrificing our jobs to prepare. This immense undertaking taught me the true depth of my own resilience and mental fortitude. Facing relentless physical and psychological barriers, I discovered an unwavering inner strength, proving that with absolute dedication and a clear purpose, perceived limits can be shattered, revealing a boundless capacity for endurance and unwavering determination.

My outdoor passions instilresilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Running endurance teaches perseverance,rowing demands teamwork and focused effort through adversity. For me, fishing cultivates patience and observation. These translate into my writing by shaping compelling narratives of struggle and growth, and inform my leadership by fostering calm under pressure, valuing collective effort, and embracing the unpredictable.

During my ocean row, moments of profound connection were frequent. Watching a magnificent albatross glide effortlessly for miles, atrue master of its domain, reminded me of nature's inherent wisdom. Even more astonishing was encountering a lone butterfly, hundreds of miles from land, a tiny, vibrant speck against the vast blue-a humbling testament to life's pervasive reach. As night fell, the sheer majesty of the stars, undimmed by light pollution, made the boat feel like a tiny speck in an infinite, interconnected cosmos, truly connecting me to something far, far larger than myself.There were many such moments which made the wholeadventure totally memourable.

The inspiration for "Wild Waters in the Roar" stemmed from a deep-seated desire to push beyond perceived limits and embrace an epic challenge. Crossing the Indian Ocean by rowboat was an extraordinary concept, made even more compelling by the fact that it was an unprecedented feat at the time. This formidable adventure was undertaken to support a vital children's charity, adding profound purpose to the immense physical and mental demands. It was about proving what the human spirit could achieve when truly committed, demonstrating that with courage,perseverance, and a powerful cause, dreams as vast as an ocean can indeed become reality, inspiring others to believe in their own potential.

In "Wild Waters in the Roar," world-building isn't about inventing realms, but about immersing the reader in the vast, unforgiving, yet beautiful world of the open ocean. Every detail, from the relentless waves and searing sun to the cramped confines of the rowboat, is meticulously crafted to make the environment a living character.This physical world becomes the crucible for emotional truths. The relentless solitude amplifies moments of profound introspection and the gnawing grip of self-doubt. The raw exhaustion reveals deep reserves of resilience. The shared struggle with my rowing partner forged an unbreakable bond, reflecting universal themes of partnership and trust. By vividly depicting the real, harsh, and majestic ocean, I aimed to ground the extraordinary adventure in authentic human experience, allowing readers to feel the fear, the triumph, and the profound connection to something larger than oneself.

The transition from the factual discipline of my ocean rowing memoir, "Wild Waters in the Roar," to the expansive imagination of fantasy fiction like "The Dragons Echo" was certainly challenging. Nonfiction demanded meticulous adherence to real-life events and internal truths, requiring a structured approach to narrative.Conversely, fantasy offered unparalleled creative freedom, allowing me to build entire worlds and magical systems. Ilearned that while facts anchor memoir, emotional truth underpins both. From nonfiction, I gained rigour in plotting and character authenticity. From fantasy, I discovered how imaginative metaphors can convey profound universal themes. Both genres ultimately taught me the power of storytelling to explore the depths of human experience, whether grounded in reality or soaring through realms of pure invention.

My new fantasy book, "The Rushing Wind," absolutely serves as a profound metaphor for the human condition, viewed through an imaginative lens. It's an exploration of how humanity grapples with knowledge, truth, and our own inner "shade"-that part of us susceptible to fear and forgetting.The fantastical elements-dragons, ancient prophecies, and journeys through historical eras-vividly illustrate universal human struggles: the battle against ignorance, the corruption of ideas, and the profound importance of preserving wisdom across time. Through Mike's relentless quest, the narrative asks whether we choose to embrace deeper truths and interconnectedness orsuccumb to fragmentation and misunderstanding. It’s about the eternal dance between light and shadow within us all, making the extraordinary a powerful pathway to understanding ourselves and our collective legacy.

My fascination with human behaviour lies in its extraordinary capacity for resilience and transformation. Whether observing leaders navigating complex corporate crises or witnessing the sheer will of an ultra-distance athlete pushing physical limits, it’s the mind's ability to adapt, innovate, and find strength in adversity that truly captivates me.In fantasy writing, this translates into exploring the internal "shade" and "light" within characters, mirroring real-world struggles with fear, hope, and connection. What truly enthralsme is our universal drive to seek meaning, build bridges (even metaphorically, across realms), and ultimately, to choose growth over stagnation, proving that our greatest adventures often lie within ourselves.

My understanding of leadership has profoundly evolved through confronting extreme situations. Professionally, navigating complex corporate governance challenges globally taught me the critical importance of clear communication, strategic foresight, and the subtle art of influencing diverse stakeholders amidst high-stakes environments. It'sabout empowering teams to find solutions, not just dictating them.Personally, enduring ultra-distance ocean rows and gruellingendurance runs revealed leadership's rawest form: resilience, adaptability, and unwavering resolve. In moments of profound physical and mental exhaustion, true leadership isn't about grand gestures, but about disciplined self-management, maintaining purpose, and fostering unshakeable trust within a small team. Both spheres underscore that authentic leadership is about remaining calm in chaos, inspiring perseverance, and navigating uncertainty with integrity.

I find my most creative work demands specific times and spaces, separate from the demands of travel or consulting. While I might jot down ideas on the go, deep dives into world-building or narrative flow require uninterrupted focus.My ideal writing environment is a quiet, uncluttered space, preferably with a large window offering a view of nature –a distant tree line or open sky. It’s about creating a mental sanctuary where external distractions fade, allowing my imagination to fully unfurl and immerse itself in the fantastical realms I'm building. This dedicated space allows for the structured creative output necessary to bring complex fantasy worlds to life.

What's next for me is a fascinating blend of thefantastical and the deeply personal. I'm excited to continue the journey with Mike and Ceres, delving deeper into the interwoven history of magic and knowledge in the next installment of 'The Rushing Wind' trilogy. This ongoing world-building allows me toexplore profound themes of interconnectedness and universal wisdom through an imaginative lens.Simultaneously, my dedication continues to my self-development and leadership work with Indigenous First Nations communities. This incredibly enriching experience offers invaluable insights into ancient wisdom, sustainable governance, and the true meaning of community. Both paths, though distinct, mutually reinforce my understanding of human potential and the vital importance of preserving both ancient truths and future possibilities. The adventure, in all its forms, truly continues.

My experience with AllAuthor has been exceptionally positive and truly impressive. From the outset, I've been struck by their remarkable proactivity in helping authors amplify their work. A significant highlight has been their continuous support, extending far beyond initial setup. They don't just provide tools; they seem to actively engage with authors, offering guidance, promotional opportunities, and smart strategies to reach wider audiences. This ongoing, hands-on assistance has been invaluable for boosting visibility and engagement for my books. I am so impressed with the banners that they produce for my books, and this has helped me with some social media presence. As I am a relatively new author, their dedication to an author's success, coupled with their insightful and supportive approach, makes AllAuthor an outstanding platform in the publishing landscape.