Research identifies the Adrenosexual, a new breed of man

Spice commissioned a survey of over 1,000 members of public from across the UK, which examined respondents’ behaviour, beliefs and attitudes and placed them within an ‘Adrenosexual spectrum’.

Devised by leading reconnection psychologist Tom Fortes Mayer for Spice, the survey sought to identify individuals’ relationships with fear and adrenaline activities and how this equates to success and fulfillment in their lives.

The survey revealed that the primping and preening of the nineties Metrosexual man is a bygone era as ‘real men’ return to the fore. Over half of men surveyed (57%) are shunning the self-obsession of their Metrosexual predecessors and instead focussing on using adrenaline activities for fitness, fun and fulfillment.

A further 41% of UK men fell into ‘wannabe Adrenosexual’ category.

Surprisingly the survey also revealed that the term ‘adrenaline junkie’ is not confined to the young – almost half of those achieving the Ultimate Adrenosexual status (44%) are aged between 35 – 44, with a further 22% of Ultimate Adrenosexuals aged between 45 – 54.

Regionally, the survey dispels the ‘Southern softie’ myth, with two thirds (66%) of Southerners identifying themselves as Adrenosexuals, compared to (59%) in the North.

Obsessed with the human condition and how the majority of us are disconnected from our ability to enjoy life to the full, Tom Fortes Mayer is the happiness expert, social commentator, and psychologist who identified the emergence of the Adrenosexual, “The increased demand for lifestyle sports and growing interest in personal empowerment clearly indicate that the UK is becoming more switched on to the pleasures and benefits of adrenaline activities. Millions of people now use adrenaline activities to reconnect with nature and experience the thrill and freedom of a healthy relationship with fear.”

Dave Smith (an Adrenosexual himself!) Is Managing Director of action adventure group Spice, “At Spice we welcome men and women who have a love of life and want to live their dream. Adrenaline activities provide the perfect way to grow personal confidence for success in all areas of life.”

The growth in adrenaline activities in the UK is without doubt. Research from Sport England’s – ‘Lifestyle Sports and National Sport Policy: An Agenda for Research’ (April 2005) found that:
 By 2003 almost 1 in 7 adults (13.4%) had taken part in an adventure activity and the proportion of those doing at least one regularly doubled between 2001 and 2003 to 5%.

 12 % of adults want to try lifestyle or ‘extreme’ sports – equivalent to around 5.8 million people.

Similarly, the Extreme Media Group has found that:
 Extreme sports are the fastest growing, with more than 140 million participants worldwide

 The number of people taking part in extreme sports is growing by 30% each year

 Such is the growing interest that Extreme Sports Channel is broadcast 24/7 to 50+ countries and in 8 languages worldwide

Ends

Media contacts
Sarah Hughes at Giraffe Communications M: 07712 784 859
E: sarah@giraffecomms.com
Nicola Hussey at
Giraffe Communications
M: 07779 233 250

Notes to editors

About the survey
The survey comprised a respondent universe of 1,045. An online survey, it was promoted throughout the UK and provides data broken down by the following demographics: Age, gender, county of residence, any previous adrenaline activity, current membership status of Spice.

Eight questions were posed relating to people’s relationship with fear and opportunity in their social, professional and personal lives. Classifications relating to behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes were developed within an Adrenosexual spectrum, which was identified by a healthy relationship with fear, adrenaline activities and success and fulfillment in life.

Fortes Mayer defined four categories within the Adrenosexual spectrum. The lower the score, the less likely an individual is to undertake adrenaline activities, have a healthy relationship with fear or feel fulfilled in their professional, social or personal life.

Those scoring 75% and above, were in the top quartile of the spectrum and considered an Adrenosexual, with a 100% score demonstrating that they were an Ultimate Adrenosexual.

To find out if you’re an Adrenosexual, visit www.spicesurvey.com.

Other resources available:
 Interviews – see below
 Full psychological insight and profiling, by Tom Fortes Mayer MBHSC
 Overview of survey results
 Facts and figures – what is the state of play with adrenaline activities today?
 Top ten tips for spotting an Adrenosexual
 Feature ideas – such as ‘nominate your Adrenosexual’
 Who are the Celeb Adrenosexuals? Take a look at those who are, and those who definitely aren’t!
 Case studies from across the UK of real life people who are Adrenosexuals
 Image database of Adrenosexual activities
 Adrenaline activity locations for photography and interviews
 Journalist’s have a go – your chance to try an adrenaline adventure with Spice
 Adrenosexual DIY test kit

Available for interview:

Tom Fortes Mayer MBHSC
A well informed, articulate spokesman on a variety of personal and social issues, Tom has a unique and challenging psychological approach to health, happiness and harmony. He constructed the Adrenosexual psychological profiling and insights.

Dave Smith, Managing Director, Spice UK and an Adrenosexual!
100% Adrenosexual, Dave Smith established the Spice UK action adventure group in frustration that no other organization provided access to the adrenaline activities he was seeking. 23 years on, Spice is now the UK’s largest action adventure group.

Jon Denoris BA (Hons) MSC
As an award-winning personal trainer, fitness media commentator and a Masters graduate in Exercise Science at London’s Roehampton Institute, Jon is well placed to talk on changing behaviour through adrenaline and sporting activities.

About Spice
The UK’s leading action adventure group, Spice is the ideal organisation for Adrenosexuals and wannabe Adrenosexuals. It offers its members the chance to live their dream by providing activities, adventures and unusual experiences, in a way that’s easily accessible and affordable.

What unites its members is their determination to live life to the full whatever their circumstances or bank balance. To find out how you can Spice up your life visit www.spiceuk.com or call 0161 873 8788.