Emma Martin is a senior HR leader with over 20 years’ experience across energy, engineering, and manufacturing sectors. Known for her calm leadership style and pragmatic approach to organisational change, Emma has held global roles in FTSE 250 and private equity environments, always placing people, integrity, and impact at the heart of her work. But outside of the boardroom, it’s the trails, the mountains, and the early-morning miles that keep her grounded.
For someone like Emma, rest doesn’t come easy. She’s the kind of person who finds purpose in motion, whether it’s a solo 7am run, a triathlon, or more recently an impromptu 17-mile stretch of the Green Man Ultra. Her life is a patchwork of planned adventure, physical achievement, and deep-rooted belief in what movement brings, not just to the body, but to the mind.
The Foundation: Sport as a Way of Life
At school, Emma shared “I was only ever good at two things, geography and sport.” Emma captained school teams, played county-level tennis, and kept up her activities even as her family moved across the country. At university, she resisted the pressure to party and found a home instead in the outdoors club, spending weekends hiking and bodyboarding in Cornwall and Snowdonia.
Her move to Aberdeen marked the start of an 18-year chapter filled with mountain biking, triathlons, and lunchtime trail runs through Kirkhill Forest. “I am an early bird, I’d be in the office by 7am, and then would head out running at lunchtime. That time in nature reset me completely and help me stay productive all afternoon.”
From Ironwoman to Ultra Runner
Emma didn’t just run, she swam, biked, and completed two full Ironman-distance triathlons. “I’ve never run a marathon on its own, just as the last leg of an Ironman!” she laughs. When she’s not racing, she’s exploring, taking part in adventure races, joining local events, and signing up for events that offer more than medals. “For me, it’s all about adventure. I do events for something to do at the weekend, for somewhere new to see.”
Even when she recently found herself out of work, she found strength in movement. “Exercise is part of how I stay resilient. But it’s hard, I feel guilty if I run because my priority is getting a job. At the same time, if I don’t run, I feel like I haven’t achieved anything.”
Balancing Act: Parenthood, Purpose and Pace
Now based near Bristol with her partner and daughter, Emma’s motivation is multi-layered. “I want my daughter to see that being active is a lifestyle. All our holidays are active ones. She does junior Parkrun, swims, and even has a foam kettlebell so she can copy me doing strength training.”
Emma admits that being a morning person helps. “I’m out running before breakfast while everyone else is still asleep. That gives me a sense of pride, it’s like I’ve already achieved something before the day starts.” Her secret? Run early, and ideally with someone chatty. “I love running with people, it’s social, and it distracts me from the effort. But if no one’s around, I still go.”
Fitness and the Job Search
Emma is actively looking for her next HR leadership role. She’s prepping for her next interview with the same tenacity she trains for an ultra, discipline, energy, and a strong sense of self-worth.
She’s also aware of the changing landscape. “Interviewing is hard and the job market is tough, the key is to be authentic and like taking part in an event, prepared. That’s where the running comes in too, it grounds me, reminds me who I am.”
Life Lessons from the Trail
Emma’s take on fitness and resilience isn’t just about goals. It’s about living fully. “I don’t want to spend my later years limited by poor health. I want to be hiking in the Lake District at 79, not recovering from a fall at 65.”
Her drive is equal parts physical and emotional: a sense of achievement, the joy of countryside air, and the internal fire that says, “I can do this.” It’s also about influence. “I hope that seeing me live this way helps my daughter, and you never know, someone reading this may realise they can too.”
As she prepares for her next race, and her next big career opportunity, Emma is proof that movement is more than a habit. It’s a mindset. It’s a lifestyle. And it’s why she runs.
Emma is currently exploring her next HR leadership opportunity. If you’d like to learn more about her experience and approach, drop me a message.