PEOPLE in business like to talk about goals. Phrases such as "pushing the envelope" jostle for place with Key Performance Indicators.

Achievement is measured by a bottom line, and a set of numbers on an Excel spreadsheet can alter the perception of you for months.

Former soldier Chris Moon has challenged the concept of goals, limitation and achievement in a number of different ways, and every one of them is extraordinary.

Born near Salisbury, Wiltshire in May 1962, he attended Bishop Wordsworth's Grammar School in Salisbury.

After studying Agriculture at Searle Hayne College, Newton Abbot (now Plymouth University Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology), he joined the army. On leaving the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst he was commissioned into the Royal Military Police and also served with several infantry units.

After leaving the army, he worked for the HALO Trust (the Hazardous Areas Life Support Organisation) specialising in mine clearance. HALO recruited a wide range of ex-servicemen, most with two years operational experience. After specialist training from a Royal Engineer Bomb disposal officer he supervised and trained former Cambodian soldiers in mine clearance. While in Cambodia in 1993, he was abducted by the Khmer Rouge. He successfully prevented his own execution and negotiated his release and that of two Cambodian colleagues.

In 1995, while clearing mines in Mozambique, he was, he says simply, "blown up." The blast cost him his lower right leg and right arm. Not only did he survive this ordeal when many thought he would not, but he was competing in the London Marathon less than one year later.

"When I rebuilt my life I had to understand the process of achievement. A lot of the time I had been banging my head against a brick wall in my younger life and because I could no longer physically do things I literally had to stop, sit down and work out how you do things." It is estimated that an amputee like Chris requires 30 per cent more energy to run than an able bodied person, but he has already competed in many events which would seriously challenge the fittest of athletes.

He is the first amputee to finish the Great Sahara Run, the toughest foot race on earth. 240km over six days running through the sands of the Sahara carrying your food and equipment.

And the USA's Badwater 135 mile Death Valley Ultra (5 marathons back to back) which take place in temperatures close to those recommended for slow cooking chicken. All of his physical challenges are done for charity. Why? "For people like the farmer I met in Cambodia who'd both his legs blown off by a landmine but still had four children to feed. And so he strapped two old car tyres to his stumps so he could go out into the fields to plant rice. It was the most dignified and defiant sight I've ever seen."

Chris is involved with many charities assisting the disabled and disadvantaged which include The British Limb-less Ex-Service Men's Association, The Red Cross, Motivation, Concern, Austcare, Oxfam, Disability Sport England, and Children's Chance.

As well as developing business intertests, Chris has spent the last seven years building up a reputation as a motivational corporate speaker.

Primarily web-based, the company is doing well and the hands-on experience he is gaining is being put to good use in his presentations and speaking engagements.

It is his motivational speaking that brings him to Bolton, addressing a dinner presented by Bolton Business Support Unit and sponsored by HSBC, Business Link and the Institute of Business Advisers, although his views on being perceived as "motivational"are as uncompromising as his personal goals.

"Number one, motivation can only ever be a personal decision. Number two, you can't pour it in from the outside, and number three, if people think you're a motivational speaker, they're going to sit there and wait to be motivated.

"I am very passionate about saying to people you can be more than you think and this is how you do it and I can give you tangible proof of my own experience that it actually works. Set goals and believe in yourself. But everyone has different views and despite what I say the only person that can solve your problems is you. No one can do it for you. I'm not selling a silver bullet but that's because I don't think that a silver bullet exists."

Chris Moon will be at The Pennine Suite, The Last Drop Village, Bromley Cross, on October 12, at 6.30pm. Tickets from BBSU on 01204 336161.