Running LMU 104Km for men’s mental health

Help me make it meaningful

This year, I'll be taking on one of the biggest challenges I've ever set myself: the Lonely Mountain Ultra. While crossing the finish line will be an incredible achievement, this run is about so much more than the kilometres I'll cover or the time on the clock. I'm running to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute, a cause that holds a special place in my heart, and to help shine a light on men's mental health.

This isn't the first time I've supported the Black Dog Institute. I've donated to them in the past because I genuinely believe in the work they do and the difference they make in the lives of so many Australians. This time though, I wanted to do more than donate. I wanted to challenge myself in a way that would not only raise money but also start conversations about mental health—conversations that I believe need to happen more often.

This cause is deeply personal to me. I've experienced my own mental health challenges, and I've also seen close friends, family members, and people I care about face their own battles. Those experiences have shown me that mental illness doesn't discriminate, and that so many people struggle quietly behind a smile or a simple "I'm fine."

What I've also learned is just how powerful an open conversation can be. When we create an environment where it's okay to talk honestly about how we're feeling, asking for help becomes a little less daunting. Organisations like the Black Dog Institute have played an important role in helping make those conversations more accepted and accessible, and I believe that's one of the most valuable things they do. The more we talk, the more we reduce the stigma, and the more likely it is that someone will reach out before they reach crisis point.

Mental health is something that touches almost every family, friendship group and workplace. It doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care how old you are, what you do for a living or how strong you appear on the outside. Yet despite how common mental health challenges are, too many people still feel uncomfortable talking about them.

For men in particular, that silence can be even louder.

Many of us grow up believing we need to be tough, keep our emotions to ourselves, and push through whatever life throws at us. While resilience is important, there's a difference between resilience and suffering in silence. Too many men feel they have to carry the weight of anxiety, depression, grief, stress or loneliness on their own because asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness.

I don't believe that should be the case.

I believe talking about mental health should be as normal as talking about physical health. If we break a bone, we don't hesitate to get it treated. If we're struggling mentally, we should feel just as comfortable reaching out for support. The more we normalise these conversations, the more we reduce the stigma that prevents people from asking for help when they need it most.

The Black Dog Institute continues to lead the way in mental health research, education, early intervention and suicide prevention. Their work helps improve lives, supports families and communities, and gives people hope when they need it most. Supporting an organisation that's making such a meaningful impact felt like the right choice for this challenge.

The name Lonely Mountain Ultra also feels incredibly fitting for this cause. Mental health can often feel like climbing a mountain. Some days the climb feels manageable. Other days it can feel overwhelming. Many people face that mountain believing they're completely alone, even when there are people around them who care deeply. My hope is that this fundraiser helps remind people that they don't have to face those challenges by themselves.

Preparing for this ultramarathon has taught me plenty already. The physical training is demanding, but the mental side is just as challenging. There are days when motivation is low, long runs when every step feels harder than the last, and days where the easiest option would be just to stay home. But progress isn't built in one massive effort—it's built through consistency, through showing up, and through taking one more step, even when it feels difficult.

Every kilometre I run is dedicated to raising awareness for men's mental health and reminding people that strength isn't about staying silent—it's about reaching out, supporting one another, and knowing that asking for help is a sign of courage, not weakness.

Training for this event has already taught me that progress doesn't come from giant leaps. It comes from taking one step after another, especially on the days when motivation is low. The same can be true for mental health. Recovery, healing and resilience often begin with one conversation, one act of kindness or one person willing to listen.

Your support can help make those conversations possible.

Every donation, regardless of the amount, helps the Black Dog Institute continue its vital work in research, education, early intervention and suicide prevention. If donating isn't possible, sharing this page or simply checking in on a mate can have a meaningful impact too. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is ask, "How are you really going?" and take the time to listen.

When I stand on the start line of the Lonely Mountain Ultra, I'll know I'm not just running for a finish time. I'll be running for every man who has struggled in silence, every family affected by mental illness, and every person who believes we can build a future where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.

Thank you for supporting my journey and this incredible cause. Whether you donate, share this page or simply start a conversation, you're helping make a difference. Together, we can break the stigma, encourage more people to seek help, and remind every man that he doesn't have to face his mountain alone.