Three and a half months in, and 2025 has already been an exhilarating blend of meaningful professional and personal achievements, muddy gardening boots, new friendships, and lovely moments with family and community.
Back in December, I shared my ambitious roadmap for the year – spanning karate milestones, leadership roles, advocacy campaigns, and personal development goals. The list of the 2025 objectives is here.
Here’s my detailed and honest update on what’s unfolded in the first three months of the year.
1. Developing my career and leadership
One of the most significant milestones in this quarter was stepping into my new role as Director of Services at the METRO Charity in January. METRO has long championed advocacy and support in the fields of HIV, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, youth services, and LGBTQ+ rights. Joining such a passionate and dedicated team, led by our great CEO Tony Wong, has been immensely rewarding and motivating.
Alongside this, I’ve continued my strategic leadership commitments through:
- Regular trustee meetings at the National AIDS Trust, contributing to national governance and strategic direction and lending a voice to Wales in the organisation.
- Ongoing collaboration and support as a trustee for the LGBT Consortium, fostering community-driven initiatives.
- Strategic and operational roles within Fast Track Cities Wales, focusing on ending HIV transmissions and reducing stigma.
In February, I was honoured to meet with the UK Minister for Equalities, Nia Griffith MP, alongside colleagues from Fast Track Cymru. We discussed ongoing collaborations with charities, local authorities, health boards, research teams, and clinics across Wales, while reinforcing joint initiatives supporting the Welsh Government’s HIV Action Plan.
I also maintained my governance role at Coleg Merthyr Tudful (College Merthyr Tydfil) as a Non-Executive Director for the University of South Wales, engaging in crucial strategic discussions shaping further education in our community.
2. Prioritising mental and physical well-being
A landmark achievement for me this quarter was being acknowledged as a 1st Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate in Wales by WSKU, under the WKGB, BKF/WKF and Sport Wales. The grading session was intense, challenging, and exhausting – but also immensely rewarding. This milestone represents years of training, resilience, and personal growth, guided by exceptional mentors like Senseis Chico, Lynton, Darren, Stuart, Phil, and Chrissie.
With my next goal, the Welsh National Championship, rapidly approaching in May 2025, the training intensity has ramped up significantly. This is simultaneously exhausting and hugely rewarding.
Alongside karate, my strength training journey made notable progress. Bench presses reached 107kg, squats approached 150kg, and deadlifts climbed towards 180kg.
In February, I also enjoyed an unforgettable training session with Wales’ Strongest Women, Sam Taylor and Sue Taylor-Franklin, at Peak Strength Gym in Aberdare. Successfully lifting a 100kg Atlas Stone and carrying a 180kg Yoke highlighted not just physical strength (that even I wasn’t sure I had) but the empowering community atmosphere Sam and Sue have cultivated there.
3. Deepening relationships
Intentional relationship-building remains central to my year. Graham and I prioritised our weekly “date nights”, safeguarding quality time to connect, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.
I’ve cherished evenings playing board games, fostering both longstanding friendships and new connections. Regular Japanese learning sessions with Chris have also become important moments for me.
My karate and board games / Dungeons & Dragons activities have further expanded my social circle, introducing me to diverse and supportive communities.
Additionally, my solo trip to Rome in January provided invaluable family time – particularly the chance to meet my newborn nephew! – and allowed me to reconnect with old friends back home – a reminder of how vital these personal connections truly are.
4. Exploring creativity and storytelling
February provided a special opportunity to speak at Barry Pride Speaks Out and other LGBTQ+ events, alongside a panel of really inspiring peers and colleagues, sharing my personal and professional journey as part of LGBTQ+ History Month – a deeply meaningful moment.
Musically, I’ve continued developing my piano skills, successfully learning and playing Yiruma’s “River Flows in You”, while I am working on three short pieces. While tempo and rhythm refinement remain ongoing, playing an entire piece has rekindled my joy in music.
My Japanese language learning also progressed significantly. Completing learning both Hiragana and Katakana writing systems and having my first mini-conversation entirely in Japanese after a karate class in London has greatly encouraged me. It’s complicated and difficult, but it’s going well.
5. Continued LGBTQ+ and HIV advocacy
Advocacy remains a big part of my life and has shaped much of my year so far. I’ve proudly led and contributed to three impactful national campaigns:
- Wales HIV Testing Week (with Public Health Wales)
- Stop HIV Stigma Campaign
- Are You PrEPped? (with Sexual Health Wales)
As Campaign Lead for Fast Track Cymru, I try to balance providing strategic advice and direction as part of the Board of Trustees with hands-on delivery – shaping content, creating impactful toolkits, and engaging diverse communities. These campaigns have garnered national recognition (including presentations at BHIVA Conference), and evaluation reports are now available via Fast Track Cymru.
The experience reinforced the immense strength and commitment of the communities and individuals driving these vital initiatives, and I get a lot of personal reward from being part of something that matters so much to our communities..
6. Carving out personal time
My garden transformation has become both a hobby and a personal sanctuary. I’ve heard that apparently gardening and digging up soil may affect the brain in a similar way to antidepressants! The milestones and achievements so far this year include:
- Expanding the lawn by 1.5 metres, aligning it with the patio and creating an inviting open space.
- Planting a lovely Sakura cherry tree.
- Installing accessible, contemporary white tiles for garden pathways; and fixing the wall rendering.
- Treating and staining the decking in a beautiful Autumn Gold hue.
Further tasks planned for April include: staining concrete paths, repainting the garage, starting our vegetable patches and raised beds, and final garden cleaning.
In quieter moments, reading has provided reflection and insight. So far in the past three months, I’ve completed:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (translation by Martin Hammond)
- The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
Each book has provided great lessons on leadership, personal philosophy, communication, and self-awareness.
Looking ahead
As I step into the next quarter, my focus remains clear – deepening my advocacy, further refining my leadership skills, embracing physical and mental well-being, and nurturing my most important relationships.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. There’s still plenty more to come, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.
Summary of progressed goals:
Dr Alessandro Ceccarelli 