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11 of the most inspiring young explorers in Britain

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← Review: Another Peak by Alex Staniforth

Mental – The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health →

Partners

A great coach once said to me: ‘sometimes you ju

A great coach once said to me: ‘sometimes you just have to start and find the way’.

It feels ironically daunting to coach other people through imposter syndrome, confidence and mindset barriers, especially with a stammer and turning 30 this year. I guess it doesn’t matter how old you are; it’s how aware you are.

Coaching and mentoring has been game-changing for building my own resilience and mindset across my work, charity and running challenges, and I'm excited to pay it forward with this new venture.

As I work towards accreditation as a Resilience and Mental Performance Coach, it's been a privilege to coach a small number of aspiring leaders, adventurers and fellow introverts to (hopefully) find their voice, overcome their own challenges and achieve more than they thought was possible.

If you (or someone you know) may benefit from coaching, then please DM for a chat, or check the link in my bio 🙏🏻

📸 @davemacfarlane

#coaching #newchapter #letsgo #lifecoaching #mindsetcoaching #resilience #mentalperformance #ICF #introverts #introvert #performancecoaching #lakedistrict #buttermere

A night running in the fells with your mates doesn

A night running in the fells with your mates doesn't get much better.

Pleasure to support @outdoor_dan_ on Leg 2 of his Bob Graham Round - 66 miles and 42 peaks within 24 hours. After an injury on his first go, Dan came back even stronger and with insanely good weather. Sometimes Plan B becomes Plan A all along. Dan was a massive help during my 446 Challenge and ran with me, rain or shine, no excuses, so it was nice to pay some back at 2:30am.

After 6 years in the Lakes I'd somehow never seen an inversion (or so many tents on the Helvellyn ridge) and this morning absolutely made up for it. Felt pretty smug - at least for a few hours until I got back to Instagram 😂

Days like these are a reminder that even if you're stuck in the clouds and can't see a way through, things do get brighter and clearer if you keep moving. Keep going Dan!

#bobbydazzler #bobgrahamround #bobgraham #lakedistrictnationalpark #lakedistrict #voomnutrition #inov8 #ellisbrigham #voomdays #cloudinversion #nightrun #sunrise

5 Valleys Ultra - 4th overall ☑️ 58km/2,370m/5

5 Valleys Ultra - 4th overall ☑️
58km/2,370m/5:53:55

It was touch and go whether I'd make the start line given the sprained ankle, and then my stammer was so bad I couldn't say my name or the distance at race registration 🤦🏻‍♂️

The pace was quick from the off and trying to keep up would have ended badly. A poorly timed pee stop put me into 5th place on the climb out of Troutbeck and after then I didn't see anyone for hours. It almost felt like I wasn't racing and the gap ahead seemed so big that I considered pulling out at Glenridding. What was the point? That wasn't a good reason to quit.

On the final climb out of Threlkeld I was surprised to see 4th ahead, sadly struggling with knee issues. Intercept, engage. I took my opportunity and went for it. The final few miles down Glenderaterra are super fast but at that point it seems to go on forever and I was constantly checking over my shoulder. With rehab, physio tape and a lot of luck, the ankle survived. Good job I didn't quit, really...

After recent performances I'm considering changing my name to Stanifourth (thanks @jbrux92 for this observation) but I still finished 10 mins ahead of last year's winning time. The @13valleysultra seems to get bigger, faster and better every year. Well done to everyone on all distances for getting out there!

Thanks @inov_8 for the TrailFly shoes, @voomnutrition for the Fusion Fuel and Pocket Rockets, @saveoursoleshq for toe tape and @corosuk for the Apex Pro 2 to guide me home.

#13valleysultra #5valleysultra #lakedistrict #lakedistrictnationalpark #voominpowerup #inov8 #ellisbrigham #voomdays #medalmonday #ultrarunning #ultrarunner

The difference a day makes! Less than a week until

The difference a day makes! Less than a week until the 5 Valleys Ultra (58km/2300m). Tapering seemed less fun in this weather so I headed back up Helvellyn to reminisce with the same amazing weather as 446, only more baltic and on my own.

I wanted to test my confidence on the descent off Sticks Pass, which is probably the steepest and wettest of the entire route. I failed the test with another ankle roll. Not sure whether I'll even make it to the start line next week but @runswritescode has gotten me into my best shape yet, so it'll be a fun story if I do.

I always talk about raising the bar, so after running the 7 Valleys twice you'd think I'd be doing the 13 Valleys (184km) instead. But I need a break from running long stuff, physically and mentally, and would probably miss my flight to Spain on Sunday morning for a talk. Most importantly, running should be fun, not a pressure.

@13valleysultra
@voomnutrition
@inov_8
@ellisbrigham
#13valleysultra #5valleysultra #lakedistrict #lakedistrictnationalpark #helvellyn #fellrunning #injuredrunner #ultrarunning #sundaylongrun

Langdale Half Marathon - 4th overall. 1:29:41 Wi

Langdale Half Marathon - 4th overall. 1:29:41

With over 500m of ascent I was pretty happy with that. Could probably knock off 5 mins on a flat course. The hills were a bit ridiculous and took careful pacing to avoid blowing up. The chap ahead unluckily slipped down Red Bank. My @inov_8 Roadfly fared a lot better on the greasy roads. After checking he was OK (obviously) I took the chance to get ahead and had a nice gap for the final few miles. I haven't raced a half for ages so was over cautious and left a bit in the tank.

In the last year my race positions have gone like this: 4th, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 4th. At least I don't have to wait around for prize giving...

Thanks @lakeland_trails for another fun day out. 2 weeks until 5 Valleys @13valleysultra!

#langdalehalfmarathon #lakelandtrails #inov8 #voomnutrition #voomdays #voominpowerup #lakedistrictnationalpark #lakedistrict #medalmonday #runnersofinstagram

I've recently been questioning why I run. It's eas

I've recently been questioning why I run. It's easy to keep chasing validation through the next goal and numbers, in sport or anywhere in life. Where does it end?

Last weekend was @lakeland_trails Keswick 10km. I had a really sore hamstring after restarting kettlebell workouts for the first time since May. Rookie error. It was only DOMS, but it hurt to walk downstairs or get out of the van. With racing my mantra has always been 'go hard or stay at home'. If I can't fully send it, then I don't see the point...

But Lakeland Trails have recently partnered with our charity Mind Over Mountains to raise money for our work and encourage people to take up trail running for their mental health.

So for once I decided to run anyway. "It's the taking part that counts" felt worryingly like the days of childhood PE (which I hated). Naturally 'taking it easy' lasted all of 5 minutes and I somehow finished 4th with a bloke chasing me down the Latrigg path 😂

The same day @haz.ventures completed her first trail race ahead of target and I had the pleasure of supporting leg 4 + 5 @jbrux92 on his successful Bob Graham Round in pants weather, running back to Keswick like a man possessed!

Maybe the point of running is for mental health, for fun, for the community, or all 3, but seeing people dig deep to achieve amazing things is always a great reminder 🙏🏻

📸 @jumpyjamesphotography

#lakelandtrails #lakedistrictnationalpark #lakedistrict #trailrunning #trailrace #inov8 #ellisbrigham #voomnutrition #voomdays #keswick #mindovermountains #bobgrahamround

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Alex’s Charity

Mind Over Mountains is a charity restoring mental health naturally through therapeutic outdoor experiences.

Read more and join us at:
www.mindovermountains.org.uk

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