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How a shy ex-delivery driver got to The Apprentice How a shy former delivery driver got to The Apprentice
(8 days later)
Frederick Afrifa made changes to his life after realising how much he disliked being a delivery driverFrederick Afrifa made changes to his life after realising how much he disliked being a delivery driver
A candidate on The Apprentice has said hating his job as a supermarket delivery driver started him on a path that led to a spot on the BBC show.A candidate on The Apprentice has said hating his job as a supermarket delivery driver started him on a path that led to a spot on the BBC show.
Frederick Afrifa, 29, moved to London from Milan when he was 12. As a teenager he represented Italy in track athletic events around Europe and he now lives in Milton Keynes.Frederick Afrifa, 29, moved to London from Milan when he was 12. As a teenager he represented Italy in track athletic events around Europe and he now lives in Milton Keynes.
Between 2020 and 2021 he worked as a delivery driver in the capital.Between 2020 and 2021 he worked as a delivery driver in the capital.
He said: "I remember there was a shift in particular where it was snowing and I had to handle this van in the snow and I almost crashed. I just sat there thinking 'mate you've got to get out of here'."He said: "I remember there was a shift in particular where it was snowing and I had to handle this van in the snow and I almost crashed. I just sat there thinking 'mate you've got to get out of here'."
The motivational speaker hopes his skills could be useful during The ApprenticeThe motivational speaker hopes his skills could be useful during The Apprentice
Desperate to make a change, he carried out a self-assessment and identified his biggest weakness was speaking and communication, he then focused on improving himself in those areas.Desperate to make a change, he carried out a self-assessment and identified his biggest weakness was speaking and communication, he then focused on improving himself in those areas.
He recalled: "I was a very shy and introverted teenager... I didn't speak any English, I was in south London, I would pronounce words incorrectly and people would laugh.He recalled: "I was a very shy and introverted teenager... I didn't speak any English, I was in south London, I would pronounce words incorrectly and people would laugh.
"I was a professional athlete before and I knew the best way to get good at something was to just do it.""I was a professional athlete before and I knew the best way to get good at something was to just do it."
Frederick Afrifa represented Italy as an athleteFrederick Afrifa represented Italy as an athlete
Mr Afrifa contacted local schools and offered to speak to the children about his sporting achievements, he admitted the first was "really bad" but eventually found he was being paid for the work.Mr Afrifa contacted local schools and offered to speak to the children about his sporting achievements, he admitted the first was "really bad" but eventually found he was being paid for the work.
Now he is the co-founder of a communication coaching business called Believe in Greatness.Now he is the co-founder of a communication coaching business called Believe in Greatness.
"We've helped people get promotions, we've helped people get businesses... I know we've had some life changing work in our business," he explained."We've helped people get promotions, we've helped people get businesses... I know we've had some life changing work in our business," he explained.
The candidate has a communication coaching business called Believe in GreatnessThe candidate has a communication coaching business called Believe in Greatness
Mr Afrifa has been hopeful his experiences could be useful during the reality show which sees the winner get an investment in their business from Lord Alan Sugar.Mr Afrifa has been hopeful his experiences could be useful during the reality show which sees the winner get an investment in their business from Lord Alan Sugar.
He said: "As an athlete I had to perform at my best under pressure, as a speaker I had to do my best under pressure. On The Apprentice, hopefully, that will be a great skill that will take me far in the process.He said: "As an athlete I had to perform at my best under pressure, as a speaker I had to do my best under pressure. On The Apprentice, hopefully, that will be a great skill that will take me far in the process.
"We're going to be under a lot of pressure, my ability to speak and communicate might dig me out of a hole or get me the win in certain tasks.""We're going to be under a lot of pressure, my ability to speak and communicate might dig me out of a hole or get me the win in certain tasks."
The ‘crazy journey’ of MK Apprentice candidateThe ‘crazy journey’ of MK Apprentice candidate
He was less optimistic his delivery driver background could be as important.He was less optimistic his delivery driver background could be as important.
He laughed: "Unfortunately those skills didn't come into play, there was no delivery van driving, but customer service, right? Making sure customers have a good time? No spoilers but we hopefully did that in episode one."He laughed: "Unfortunately those skills didn't come into play, there was no delivery van driving, but customer service, right? Making sure customers have a good time? No spoilers but we hopefully did that in episode one."
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