Thanks for your efforts in the Pangae Expedition. It has been inspirational to follow.

“I am just an ordinary guy who does the extraordinary and try to inspire others to do the same” – Ricky De Agrela.

I would like to describe myself in the same way. . .

About Me – My Passions, Interests & Who I Am

My Name is Nick Peacock, I am a 20 year old student from Cape Town, South Africa.

I’ve always been an active person, preferring to spend time outdoors as opposed to being inside & confined. Spending so much time outdoors has made me increasingly aware of the environment. Something that really hit hard was when an entire forest along my normal cycle route was cut down, with no intention of being replaced! It’s made me relook humanities impact on nature and what we’re really doing to it. So easily and quickly, it all disappeared; it has left a big impression on me.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to realize why we need to be so careful how we treat the earth and I want to make a difference!

Cars are another love of mine, I know everything there is to know about them. I started reading up on efficiencies a while I was still in high school and this has opened up my mind to the benefits of powering them on renewable energy sources. Combined with my passion for the environment, I know this is where I can make a difference one day.

With this as a base, studying a course like mechatronic engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT) was a no-brainer! Ultimately I chose it because I know it will give me the perfect base to make the mark that I want to make on the planet!

I am currently researching into renewable energy and cleaner energy options, developing an electric car as well as energy generation.

I try to be the best at whatever I do. I am currently a top student with an average of 92%. My degree keeps me very busy although whenever I am not studying or working I am spending time outdoors. This has showed me the beauty of nature and all it has to offer, which motivates me to change the way people think about the earth and how we can make a difference!

Like most students, I can’t afford the expensive sports equipment but to me it doesn’t matter, I just enjoy being outdoors!

While I was in High School I worked on weekends at a bike shop to earn enough money to buy my road and mountain bike, my surfski, rock climbing gear and now that I’m in university, I tutor maths to pay for my everyday living.

My hobbies – where you’d find me in my free time!

I am very adventurous, spontaneous and love being outdoors. Sports that I love to participate in are, Rock climbing, Mountaineering, Paddling, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Trail running & Obstacle courses.

As you can see, the great outdoors is my playrgound and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be!

I am constantly pushing myself to the limit to be as strong and as fit as possible, running with tires and weight training as much as possible to complement the sports I do.

My achievements

I have competed in cycling winning many races on both road and mountain. My proudest race was coming third out of the entire C group in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour. I finished in a time of 2:48 over 110km.

I enjoy all forms of fitness, I recently competed in an adventure challenge which involved trail running, paddling and mountain and managed to win by 13min.

My beliefs

Instead of damaging the earth we need to start fixing it. And it starts right here right now.

At UCT we are currently building a wind turbine to supply free, clean, renewable energy to an under privileged school. And this is just the beginning!

There is a small company operating in Cape Town called "Optimal Energy" who are currently producing an electric car, and I will have a helping hand in the project very soon!

Here is a very inspiring video that I have found and used to promote awareness amongst my fellow students. Many who have also gained interest in renewable energy: http://bit.ly/MyInspiration

If there is ever an environmental project I am there ready to help. I don’t sit around and talk, I do! Actions speak louder than words!

Why the YEP Expedition

I am always keen to try anything new and exciting and the YEP expedition to the Amazon would be an !!AWESOME!! opportunity to explore and learn more about the earth, meet new people & get inspired to make my mark when I return home

I’ve never had the opportunity to go overseas and I would love to experience new cultures and see all that the earth has to offer. I would love to learn more about the environment and this experience with Mike will teach me much more than any textbook.

I try my best to help clean and heal our earth and encourage others to do so too. But I want to do more! I want to travel and learn from other cultures, I want to meet young explorers like myself and share Ideas.

I am:

Dedicated until the end to whatever I set my mind to

Motivated to be the best

Determined to make South Africa a more environmentally friend ly country for it’s peoples and animals!

Social

Always excited at the prospect of trying something new

Looking to gain some new experiences and knowledge about nature

I am very keen to join Mike as a YEP adventurer and ask if you will please consider me for your Amazon expedition.