Help me create a mentally healthier world! Step by Step!
In November 2023 I'll be undertaking the 165KM Kokoda Challenge. Over 8 gruelling days I'll be aiming to put my best foot forward for each of the 230,000 or so steps I'll be taking! No doubt it's going to be one of the toughest things I've ever done. Its something I never expected I'd be doing, but, let me share a little about why I feel compelled to tackle this now.
My own story is, I'm sure, not too dissimilar to many others. And like others, just talking about it is hard enough. Many people I have known for years will have no idea about the story i'm going to share.
I still remember the exact day on which I thought to myself "somethings not right here". I was in my late twenties with seemingly everything I could ever wish for, when I started on a downward spiral of depression and anxiety, that would ultimately lead me to being a shell of the person I was, and wanted to be, with the thought of only one way out. I dont know what the trigger was or why it happened, but it changed me forever.
In the good times I could still just about get through with a smile and a joke, but in the many many dark times I would battle thoughts I still find it hard to talk about.
Over the next few years my self-diagnosis of "its just a phase" and thinking "it will pass", didnt serve me too well. Instead of facing my thoughts I instead looked to change my situation in the hope I would therefore escape how I felt. But its hard to escape yourself. It actually took me around 6 years before I sought medical help. In which time I'd made many bad decisions and hurt those closest to me. But in those dark times all I wanted was to be alone and ended up pushing loved ones away.
Since I first sought help its certainly not been a walk in the park, but you start to recognise the signs and better equip yourself to deal with Mental Health issues.
One of my biggest regrets was not seeking help much earlier. It took me a number of years to be brave enough to confront who I had become.
It's taken a long time to get back to where I am now, and I know, whilst I cant change my past, I can work hard on changing my future, and hopefully, by opening up, help others who may be experiencing what I've been through. I still have a way to go on my journey but having a strong support network and organisations like The Black Dog Institute is critical. As a Team Black Dog seek to turn ground breaking research into life saving action. Literally saving lives.
Walking the 165 KM trail will no doubt be one of the biggest challenges of my life, but compared to the journey Mental Health can take you on, I'm attacking this with confidence. Confidence in myself but also a confidence knowing this is all in support of a great cause, being the Black Dog Institute.
To ensure I'm focussed and mentally ready for this challenge I'm also setting myself an additional one. I dont like to take the easy route! So from now until the challenge is completed I'll be giving up alcohol. As someone who enjoys a drink or two this will be just as tough i'm sure as the 165km, but so worth it. So thats approximately 235 days and counting!
So please, if you are reading this, dig deep and support. Your support can help save lives.
My Achievements
Uploaded Profile Pic
Added a blog post
Self donated
Shared page
Reached 50% of fundraising goal
Reached 100% of fundraising goal
My Updates
Getting close ...
Thursday 28th Sep Where did the time go!! I was just thinking to myself that I have a good while before I take on this challenge and then realised I dont! Pleased to say the training has been going well. Maybe not as many Km's in the legs as i'd have hoped but life gets busy! Time to hit the road over the next few weeks and ramp up the steps Share
Breaking in......
Wednesday 14th Jun Well I finally found the time to start my journey for real, and purchased the Hiking boots that will get me through this challenge. me being me I thought i'd get straight into breaking them in and completed a 15km walk 2 days back to back! Whilst the body feels in reasonable shape it does bring home just how tough this challenge is going to be doing that and more for 8 days straight! Plenty more practice needed to get the km's into the legs...... Share
And we are off...
Friday 31st Mar
Thank you to my Sponsors
$36.93
Felicity Penwell
$105.50
Alisa Tepa
Very inspiring what you are doing Ross. Keep up the good work :)
$52.75
Tracey Fleming
Ross, Sharing your story is inspiring enough let alone taking on this challenge. Well done. Peter, Tracey and girls
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Gerard Hogan
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Jim & Rowena Longton
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Your body will always tell you its tired. Listen to your head and your heart
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Kathleen Windsor
Best of Luck Ross!
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Lorna And Lee
All the best Ross, really proud of your non drinking and training that you’ve put into this trip. Enjoy and stay safe. Xx
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Heather Santin
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Hugh Easton
Fantastic effort Ross. Well done.
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Richard Mccallum
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Allan Obrien
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Paul & Jenny
Good luck fella… looking forward to hearing all about it! Paul, Jenny & Maddie xx
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Georgia Moore
Good Luck Ross! We are all so proud of you x
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Simon Haigh
Well done little bro, good luck with your venture xx
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Carla Vroomen
Good Luck Ross!
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Phil Gare
Enjoy the stroll Ross
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Julie Douglas
Great work Ross! Great Cause.
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Luke Shea
Amazing initiative, Ross! Best of luck and you are an inspiration to all of us.
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John Morrow
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Lori Vamvas
Ross, thank you for sharing your journey, and your 'why'. I have no doubt that you will conquer this challenge and you will have inspired so many others along the way - whether it is to seek help, speak up, or take on a personal challenge. Thank you.
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John Mcdonald
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Lisa Underwood
Great initiative and good cause Ross. Good luck!!
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Matt Abslom
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Eileen Crowley
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David Pearce
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Jon Butler
Awesome effort Ross! You’re gonna smash this.
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David Cole
Ross, good luck on the trek it is a marvellous experience and you are doing it for such a wonderful cause!
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Nick Morgan
Great work mate!
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Jodie Mansell
Well done Ross!
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Grant Zorad
Don't skip leg day!
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Quinton Mccauley
Such a powerful story Ross and massive kudos for taking on such a daunting challenge! We are all behind you and I know you will conquer!
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Ronni Syron
GO Ross! Such an incredibly hard challenge to raise much needed awareness for an incredible cause!
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Adam Farr
Congratulations Rosco! Such a worthy cause mate - Good luck with the almighty walk!!!
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Anonymous
Good Luck mate!
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Shaun Heyworth
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Mum & Dad Mccallum
Good luck Ross, we are very proud of you and what you have achieved so far. Love mum and dad xx
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Maggie Shepley
Wishing you all the luck on the world for a really worthwhile cause, Ross. Xx
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David Jimenez
Good luck Ross. It is an amazing thing you are doing for this cause, well done!
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Liv
We love you and we are so proud of you! Go smash this!! Your girls and me xxxxx
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Michelle Forbes
Good Luck Ross, you'll do everyone proud I am sure. Also well done on the no drinking and taking this challenge on, I look forward to the updates and photos.
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Patrick Twomey
Good Luck Ross ...great challenge for a great cause. Cheers Paddy
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Joel Morrell
Best of luck mate. When the trail gets tough just remember why you're doing it all and keep pushing through until you're done.
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Julie Sadler
Good luck Ross! A great cause!.
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Mjames
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Anonymous
$10
Jade Mcintyre
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Stuart
Don't forget the Ginger Nut Biscuits...
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Haley Van Der Merwe
Good Luck!
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Kylie Gooley
Thank you for raising awareness regarding mental health and the impact of alcoholism. This is something close to my heart and i wish you all the best on your journey.
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Cathy Mitchell (mcneil)
Best of luck as you embark on this new and exciting adventure
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Jamieson Currie
Great work Ross. All the best 👍
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Pat O’neill
All the best mate!
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Sonny De Livera
All the best mate!
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Zurich Insurance
Great cause Ross - Good luck with the Kokoda trail
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Justin And Amy Noakes
Good luck Rossus!
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Victoria Betts
Good luck Ross . Hope to see lots of photos, it sounds amazing . I have no doubt that you can do both challenges. Lots of love x
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Damian Mchugh
Great work Ross, this will make a difference and I love the honesty
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Dan Gregory
Well done mate, sounds like you’ve been through and lot and come such a long way. Very brave to put your story out there and take on this challenge so others can benefit from the work of Black Dog.
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Jess Hudson
Massive well done Ross for not only undertaking this massive challenge but also sharing your own story. We are proud of you and wish you all the luck! Love, Jess, Ian and the girls ⭐️ xx
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Julie And Dave Edwards
We’ll done Ross 🤩 love from Julie and Dave ,,,
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Alan Tattler
Good luck mate , a great cause and I’m sure you will smash it
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Quirky
Extremely proud of you, Brother.
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Alex
Good luck! What a great cause.
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Lucie And Alex
We’re really proud of you Ross, very brave to do the massive walk, even braver to give up the booze and bravest of all to share your story.
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Sarah-jane Peake
Good luck! So proud of you. x
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Ursy
Well done Ross. Brave of you to speak out. I’m sure you’ve already helped someone else who isn’t yet able to speak up. Komodo track is no small feat either. Proud of you Xx
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Lloyd Beltran
You're going to look like a contestant off the show 'Survivor' by the end of this! I hope those who hear your story get the courage to fight their own inner demons. Good luck Rossco!
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Chubb Insurance
Wishing you all the best for Kokoda 2023 and an important fundraising initiative
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Debbi Thorne
You’ll smash this Ross 👏👏👏
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Jen Vanek
Walking this far and not drinking for this long doesn't sound like the Rosco I know. So proud of you for sharing your story and taking on this challenge! On ya Rosco!
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Alistair W
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Jason Hawksworth
Best of luck - especially on the alcohol part!!!
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Michelle Ross
Backing you all the way, go Ross!
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Kim Phillips
Fully support you mate
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Fatty Mcbigpants
Good work.. You’ll eat it for breakfast!
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Jane Kuridza
Love your work Ross. You’ve got this!
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Anna Mitchell
Go Ross!! That first beer after the challenge will be amazing.
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Anonymous
It takes a very strong person both to be able to talk about your situation, and then to do something so positive. Amazing work Rosco!!!
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Adam Blanford
Good Luck mate
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Ross - I came across this whilst doing a spring clean of my Ansvar emails and realised, I wanted to donate! What an inspiring an honest story. All the best, Felicity