Joy is...When Nothing Else Matters.
Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, author and charity ambassador, based in the Lake District. As just 27, he is no stranger to challenges, whether they be mental or physical. He is perhaps best known for surviving the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history, whilst still only a teenager, including the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Since then, he has achieved numerous feats of endurance, including being the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops and running the National Three Peaks Challenge, completing 452 miles in just 9 days 12 hours. However, it is the personal mountains that he has faced since childhood: overcoming epilepsy, stammering, bullying and mental ill health, that, for me, distinguish him most, as well as the manner in which he has channelled those experiences into his own mental health advocacy, charity work, public speaking and writing. It is really no wonder that he was awarded the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year in 2017.
Alex is someone who really does embody the idea of spinning growth from adversity; however, whereas so many similar stories may appear rose-tinted, it is apparent that Alex's altruism is deeply rooted within his being. Quite simply, he believes that he can help others and therefore he should. Alex's stories in themselves are incredible to hear; however, the frank discussions that we have around mental health that lie behind the stories are ones that I hope are impactful on an even deeper level. Alex is humble and generous in the manner in which he reflects on his own struggles as we consider the stigmatisation around eating disorders, particularly in men; the mythology of mental health equating to weakness; the long-term effects of childhood trauma; survivor's guilt; vulnerability; finding relief in physical challenge and the natural world; getting comfortable with being different and dreaming big; re-framing success; the importance of networks; the responsibilities and rewards of founding a charity; knowing your own strengths, and how we can still show up and make a difference when we are not doing 'hard things'.
Thank you, Alex; your work is important, you are important and you certainly 'make the boat go faster'.
Support: www.mindovermountains.org.uk
Read: www.alexstaniforth.com/books
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Photo Credit: Andy Milton
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