Posts by Alex
Men Do Talk: how to have honest conversations
“Men don’t talk about mental health”. It seems quite a bold and perhaps generalised statement to make. But is there truth to this? The statistics might suggest so. Men aged 20-40 are half as likely to go to their GP as women of the same age, and according to the Mental Health Foundation, only 36%…
Read MoreRunning Coast to Coast: third pebble lucky?
Every story needs a resolution – whether positive or negative. Both of my attempts to run Coast to Coast (183 miles from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay) were unsuccessful, but I still took some important lessons I wanted to share. Selfishly the writing process also helps me to find closure. Lots of people have…
Read MoreRunning Coast to Coast: 300km in one go!
In April I was due to take on The Northern Traverse race – a 300km/186-mile self-supported run on the Coast to Coast route from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, with 6,500m of ascent! In typical Alex style, I had to withdraw 2 weeks beforehand due to ongoing post-viral fatigue and…
Read MoreTrust the Process: How I beat Long Covid
Last week we launched the film ‘Head Above Water’ by Garth Dew which documented my journey with Long Covid, how open water swimming kept my head above water (literally), and the comeback to the adventures and challenges that define me. I was gratefully reminiscing how these hopeless days were now safely confined to a film…
Read MoreHead Above Water – New Film Launch
Very excited to reveal the trailer for ‘Head Above Water’, a brand new film by Garth Dew, brought to you by Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports! The film explores my journey of identity, mental health, adventure and discovering the healing power of open water swimming during Long Covid. It then follows my attempt at a comeback challenge…
Read MoreAconcagua 2023: one mountain too many
Last Saturday 16th December I should have been jetting off to Argentina on a 3-week expedition to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, at 6,961 metres high. Sadly, I decided to pull out a week before. Quitting goes against all my values and messages as a motivational speaker, but this time a number…
Read MoreFeeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
Last month I was grabbing lunch at Pret in London Euston before a speaking gig, when the inevitable suddenly hit me. It was coming faster than the overpriced cinnamon syrup in my latte. … Christmas music. Yes, it’s that time of the year again. A joyous time of celebration, rest and recovery. And a time…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Being a Beginner
Nobody wants to look like a beginner. In a world of experts, there’s something scary and vulnerable about making ourselves appear foolish or asking an obvious question. Once we leave education, we tend to focus on getting better at the things we’re already good at and leave our naïve optimism behind. Fear of failure or…
Read MoreLosing My Religion: How to Re-define Yourself
Most of us define ourselves by something. Whether that’s our job, family, hometown, or sport. Being in a box feels significant. It’s a human need to belong and fit in. For at least 14 years and more than half of my life, I’ve been defined by the outdoors and endurance challenges. Running in particular is…
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