LOOK UP LOOK FORWARD

Post race update!
Wow where do I begin. I guess I'll start with the first thing on my mind. I am so thankful and grateful for EVERYONE that has supported The Human Connection Project and myself over the last 8 weeks on this road to Everesting for Mental Health!
On Saturday 03rd October 2020, I pushed myself to the edge of physical and mental exhaustion, climbing that trail repeatedly was the single most hardest challenge I have put myself through. Up-down-up-down. Setting a good pace at the start then quickly realising how much I underestimated the task at hand. I battled the heat, stomach cramps then eventually throwing up, which resulted in muscle cramps as the body was trying to catch up all the fuel I lost.
113km's
19hrs 55min
8,878m
I've raced 24 hour obstacle races, ran a 5km loop in my neighbourhood for 24 hours straight clocking 204km's. But this takes the cake!
Trixfi.com have been following our journey towards Everesting and the motivations behind this challenge. Part 1 launches October 9th with a 3 year subscription for the price of one.
I'm very pleased to say we hit our fundraising target!
Everesting for Mental Health
03rd October 2020
Scorpion Trail, Mt Coo-tha
Brisbane, Australia
Together, let's raise awareness and money to help people stay connected while disconnected through Covid-19 and beyond.
On the 3rd October 2020, I'll be running a hill repeatedly in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to climb an elevation equivalent of Mt Everest being 8,848 metres, in the hope I can raise awareness and the same value in donations of $8,848 to support people throughout Australia having a difficult time coping with the pressures of our new way of life.
8,848m - $8,848
Together we can make it happen!
Why am I doing this?
Apart from the fact I love to challenge myself physically and mentally beyond my beliefs, Vanessa and I know first hand what impacts on life ill mental health has on an individual and the people around them.
Vanessa's Dad and my Mum have suffered moderate to severe mental health issues all of their adult life. As a child growing up in this environment it was seen as the 'norm' and we didn't know any different.
We saw a dependancy and addiction to prescription medication, with a poor diet and no exercise and little self worth. Sure there were moments of love, affection and laughter in the family but this was often overshadowed with sadness, anger, lack of control and depression. We didn't know any different.
In 2015, Vanessa's mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 56 and at this time underlying mental health issues were uncovered. She hid her sadness from us, shielded us from what was going on so as not to bother us, which we can't help but feel responsible for. If only we could helped earlier, would her life be any different? Vanessa and I question every day what we could of done to change or alter the course of these events.
In light of the above, this is a small physical and mental challenge I'll undertake compared to the many challenges people in the community are facing right now. From losing their small business and life savings that went with it, to not being able to see loved ones who may be in different states or aged care. Unemployment, domestic violence and suicide numbers are some of the worst statistics we will see in our lifetime.
I've chosen the Human Connection Project to partner with on this 8 week journey, a small organisation with big dreams of becoming Australia's largest proactive mental health and human connection lead organisation.
'The Human Connection Project is a not-for-profit social enterprise working to become Australia's largest proactive mental health and human connection lead organisation.
Their vision is to help and empower people to become more resilient and empathetic individuals with stronger connections to their community.
The act of connecting as human beings has diminished over the years due to the influx of incredibly busy lifestyles and greater time constraints, the false sense of connection we get from social media, and the rapid and constant change in the way we communicate with each other.
From this human disconnection, we have seen an incredibly alarming increase in mental illness, in particular, the issue of suicide. Social and human connection is fundamental, we not only need it to survive, we need it to thrive in life.'
Event Shirts Available on site 03rd October
The Human Connection Project in partnership with Kustomize it are printing shirts for event day, Let me know if you would like to grab one if you are not at the event and we can discuss postage. Here's me being directed by Vanessa to try and look cool modelling one fresh off the press!
$20 of every shirt sold goes to the charity towards our $8,848 target!
*amount donated based on known donations directly through paypal and with the charity as well as tracked donations via the facebook fundraising page which can be accessed here
Final tally
The link above is donating via Paypal through facebook. By donating here it helps us keep track of the running tally.
If you do not use facebook, you can donate direct with the charity here. or go to Please let the charity know by emailing of your donation so we can track it against this fundraiser, thank you!
What is Everesting
For what's become a global phenomenon, the team at EVERESTING put it simply:
“FIENDISHLY SIMPLE, YET BRUTALLY HARD. EVERESTING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT CLIMBING CHALLENGE IN THE WORLD.”
The concept of Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest. Complete the challenge on a bike, on foot, or online, and you’ll find your name in the Hall of Fame, alongside the best climbers in the world.
8 WEEK TRAINING JOURNEY
Trail running - what's not to like!


Event details
The trail of choice at this stage is Scorpion Trail in Mt Coo-tha, a popular running and hiking trail in Brisbane, with a steep 1 kilometre climb to the summit from the creek bed at the bottom. The trail head of scorpion meets Sir Samuel Griffith Drive making it convenient to set up a checkpoint at the top of the trail. I plan on starting around 2am Saturday morning, with an estimated finish time of 7pm, an event is set up on facebook HERE for October 3rd, come run a lap or two with me!
174 metre elevation per climb
2.06km round trip
51 laps - 105km's
Instagram Feed
There will be regular updates and announcements on IG. Look forward to connecting!
Got some question? Here's some answers
Q1: Great cause! I've donated, how else can I help?
A: The Human Connection Project would love to hear from you! They run many programs including group community walks and school mentoring programs. contact them for more information.
Also, are you a business that wants to get behind to support this initiative? Contact me on for a chat.
Q2: Can I run as well? At the event or training?
A: Absolutely, hit me up on the socials or fill out the contact form below. I'd love some company on some training runs and on event day. Even if it's just for a lap or two, you are welcome. I'm launching a facebook event in the coming days so keep an eye out there for updates
Q3: I'd like to chat to someone about my mental health and support, not sure where to go.
A: There are many supporting organisations that are there for everyone, no matter your background or situation. Mental Health Australia have a comprehensive list of organisation and contact details on their website here
Q4: I'd love to get into running, but don't know where to start, can you help?
A: Music to my ears! There are so many running clubs around, two great Brisbane based clubs are:
Queen Street Run Crew hosted by Lululemon, 5:30pm Wednesday nights, suitable for beginners
Mountain Goat Trail Runners 7:15pm every Wednesday night on Brisbane and Gold Coast Trails
FitazFK Run Club every Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6:15am in Capt Burke Park Kangaroo Point, free for gym member's or get your free 7 day gym trial to join in and test it out
OR
Get in touch with me - if you need help finding a run club in your local area to get started
Like what you've read and keen to help? Click below to donate to the
Human Connection Project