Lunch with Lee Spencer: Rowing Oceans, Climbing Mountains, and Finding Purpose In the first episode of A Taste of Financial Planning, hosts Dennis Hall and Sarah Steele sit down for lunch with former Royal Marine, world record-breaking ocean rower and author, Lee Spencer.
Over a Caribbean-inspired lunch and a bold glass of Syrah, Lee shares the remarkable story of how he became The Rowing Marine. From a life-changing injury to crossing the Atlantic solo, climbing Kilimanjaro with his daughter, and even testing kit for NASA.
The conversation moves between resilience, purpose, loss and of course, money. Lee talks candidly about growing up in Dagenham, his family's financial struggles, and how those experiences shaped his views on security, success and satisfaction.
There's honesty, humour and debate as Dennis and Lee discuss what money is really for: chasing wild dreams, building a legacy, or simply feeling free.
On the menu Dennis served a Caribbean-inspired menu, starting with a rum-based cocktail. The main course featured beef short rib cooked sous vide for 40 hours, glazed with rum, sugar, soy and lime zest, and served with coconut plantain purรฉe, sweet potato and steamed broccoli.
Dessert: Rum, coconut and lime posset with toasted coconut flakes
Wine pairing: Porseleinberg Syrah 2023 โ rich, spicy and a perfect match for the bold flavours
In this episode, we talk about: -
Growing up with money worries and how early habits form
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Camaraderie and discipline in the Royal Marines
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Record-breaking adventures and learning from adversity
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Whether money is for living or leaving a legacy
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How planning for the future helps you live more fully in the present
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Debt, lessons from parents, and generational attitudes to money
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Happiness, purpose, and the things money can't buy
ย Find out more about Lee here:ย
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