Paul Skelton

I'm standing up to join Team Black Dog to turn ground breaking research into life saving action.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year, with the most common being depression and anxiety. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life — individuals, families, workplaces and communities.

Please donate today!

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. - T. S. Eliot

I'm raising funds for mental health through the Black Dog Institute by participating in this year's Ultraman Australia Triathlon covering 515 km over three days.

Every year I attempt a Misogi challenge to test myself. These are challenges that have a high probability of failure and will impact the next 364 days of the year. No fear of failure, simply testing perceived mental and physical boundaries and harvesting adventure. Previous challenges include Running around Moreton island (90km of sand), swimming from Shorncliffe pier to Sutton's beach (in winter non-wetsuit), and Swimming around Great Keppel non-stop (20km).

This year's event includes a 10 km Swim, 421 km cycling and an 84.3 km run over three days.  As the oldest competitor, it will challenge me physically, in mind and in spirit.

DAY ONE:  10 km swim, 147 km bike  

DAY TWO:  274 km bike  

DAY THREE:  84.3 km run

These challenges are one of the key activities I do to ward off the black dog. Being outdoors and adventurous helps keep me focused at work and home and feeling all-around awesome in the undertaking whether successful or not.