24HR Isolation Challenge
Donation protected
On September 28, 2018 in Lake Tahoe, California the first ever 24-hour Sensory Deprivation Ultra Running Challenge took place.
Locked + Loaded, 24 Hours of Isolation (LL24H) was done as a physical and mental challenge in support of Mental Health benefiting Military members, Veterans, First Responders and their families.
Held in beautiful Lake Tahoe, CA at the 2018 Spartan World Championships the event was broadcasted live to social media and broadcasted to a global audience.
The challenge witnessed 4 endurance athletes enter their own shipping container, where they were deprived of light, sound, and biofeedback (such as time, distance, pace, and heart rate data). There, they each attempted to run for 24 hours on a TrueForm Runner (a non motorized treadmill) to see who could run the most miles.
Stepping up to the plate for the first ever challenge were;
3 x Ironman and Skydiver, John Witzing
Retired U.S. Marine and Adventure athlete, Brian "Tosh" Chontosh
Professional OCR athlete, Isaiah Vidal
Personal Trainer, Josh Chessman
Backed by an all volunteer team and production crew, the event quickly escalated into something that was conceived in a car driving to a Mountain Ultra during the spring of 2018. What was originally intended to be done in John Witzing's backyard, got catapulted to the world stage when Joe De Sena offered up the Spartan venue.
The story of how this all came together, the struggle and triumph, and the craziness of how it was conceived, made it an epic adventure and interesting experiment in human potential.
If this resonates with you, please consider supporting the cause.
BACKSTORY.
We’ve got a problem on our hand. A societal issue. One that has multi-layered consequences if we don’t resolve it.
This is about us: Human Beings.
No one should be deprived of the mental wellbeing. When that happens, everyone around that person (family, friends, colleagues and community) suffers.
The situation.
20% of North Americans are affected by mental health.
49% of people who experience Depression or Anxiety, do not report it to their doctor.
Reported mental health related issues increase to over 50% among adults 40 plus.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among women and men from adolescence to middle age.
Suicide is 4x’s higher among emergency responders.
Each day over 20 United States Military Veterans take their own lives.
Military members have higher rates of Depression and Anxiety then the general population.
39% of people 18 years or older would like to exercise, but don’t.
67% of people who have gym memberships, don’t use them.
Exercise is recognized as a treatment method for mental health related issues.
With so much knowledge, why aren’t people speaking out or seeking help?
Stigma, still exists everywhere.
Lack of understanding on where the resources are, how to access, or what they can do to help.
The right resources.
Daily, we hear about lives of being affected by mental health.
3 Ontario Provincial Police officers commit suicide in 3 weeks.
Veteran Suicide Problem is Growing.
The news articles could go on...just Google it!
This needs to stop!
It’s time to tackle this subject head on!
Introducing LL24H.
Locked & Loaded, 24 Hours of Isolation is the ultimate test of adversity. It’s a first of it’s kind, sensory deprivation running event done in complete isolation. It’s being done in support of Mental Health, Veterans, and First Responders.
A first of its kind Adversity Challenge.
It’s never been done by anyone, anywhere in the world.
A sensory deprivation challenge for 24 Hours - The Ultimate Test of Endurance.
3 Athletes each locked inside their own 10 Foot Shipping Container. On a TrueForm Runner, in complete darkness. For 24 Hours. Without any Artificial Light or Sound. No measurement of Biofeedback. Most miles run, earns the bragging rights.
The true VICTORY comes from helping those suffering in silence.
Being inside the “box”, isolated, suffering through what is likely to be the toughest challenge the trio has done in their life, is symbolic of those dealing with mental health issues who are afraid to raise their hand for help. They face adversity every day. Whether that be because of the fear they have about what others will think or the lack of knowledge on where to go for help, too many people are not raising their hands. That needs to stop!
Let’s start a new conversation.
Let’s showcase that it’s okay to struggle and to be afraid to deal with adversity. But, let’s also showcase that there are solutions and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Let’s join together and tackle this shit head on.
LL24h is being held at the 2018 Spartan World Championships in Lake Tahoe, California and it will be broadcasted live to social media.
Our mission.
Shine a light for those suffering in silence, giving them a way forward.
We want to reduce stigma and raise money for mental health initiatives; especially within the Veteran community across North America.
We have two official benefactors.
Wounded Warriors Canada, which is a national mental health charity supporting Canada’s ill and injured Veterans, First Responders and their families.
The Reveille Project, which helps restore veterans lives post active duty by giving them tools to integrate socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually back into civilian life.
Why support this cause?
Look around. Someone you know is dealing with something we know nothing about. They want a way out!
And, More and more we know that being physical is critical to one’s mental health!
We also know that when people push and place themselves in physically demanding situations, they develop a stronger mindset to succeed.
Within this challenge, you have three athletes who have experience at pushing themselves hard, but this event will be a struggle. By placing themselves inside the box, they hope to at least showcase that despite whatever struggles we face, there is always a way to get through it.
The trio knows that in the midst of chaos comes order and in the darkest of places, there will always be light. It’s going to be a grind, but 'we' can get through it.
We are a 100% volunteer based initiative.
Outside of operational costs, all money raised is directly transferred to Wounded Warriors Canada and The Reveille Project through their respective fundraising platforms.
Based on our fundraising goals, the overall aim is to keep total operational costs to less than 5% of the total amount raised for these mental health organizations.
Any size of donation will help. Collectively, we thank-you for your support!
With gratitude,
Tosh, John, and Josh.
ATHLETES.
John Witzing is an active member of the Ontario Provincial Police where he serves as a Constable. Growing up in a military household and the son of an infantryman, serving one’s community was ingrained from a young age. He is active in the ultra endurance community having completed Ironman three times, multiple Ironman 70.3 and Olympic distance triathlon races, and his first 30 mile mountain trail race in 2018. He is an avid skydiver and scuba diver and enjoys exploring how the mind and body reacts within hostile environments, in order to help others overcome their self-imposed limitations or any other obstacles that come their way throughout life. He founded “The Whiteboard Project”, a media and events brand focused on encouraging people to develop the ‘white space areas of their life’, whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The LL24H Challenge is the first adversity related event from the The Whiteboard Project, being done to support mental health, specifically within the Veteran and First Responder Communities across North America. He is 43 years old and father of two children. “When we win, nothing hurts”.
Brian Chontosh ("tosh") retired as a Major from the Marine Corps having served as an enlisted infantryman and infantry officer spanning 21 years of service. He's been awarded the Navy Cross and two Bronze Stars for valor during combat operations as well as the Meritorious Service Medal; among others, during his time in the Corps. He is active in the ultra endurance community having competed in Primal Quest three times, the Adventure Racing XPD World Championships in Australia, GodZone, Wenger Patagonia, Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Arrowhead 135; to name a few. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys exploring his physical and psychological limits in order to better understand himself and serve others. He founded the company "Crooked Butterfly Ranch" that provides experiential learning leveraging Nature to foster team building, mental toughness, and leadership. He's participating in the LL24H Challenge to raise awareness and support for mental health initiatives within the Veteran Community through The Reveille Project. He's 44 years old and father to three children. "Winners do Winner shit".
Josh Chessman is an entrepreneur and one of Canada’s top personal trainers. He is the co-owner of 24 Seven Family Gym and inspires a community to better their health everyday. He is a self described ‘avid experimentalist’ because he is known to tackle new challenges that take him outside of his comfort zone are the Strongman and Crossfit pursuits he is accustomed to. He has completed a half marathon and a 30 mile mountain trail race in 2018. He is a drummer and musician for the band, The New Blue. He is an avid reader and believer in Stoic philosophy. He is the co-founder and collaborator of “The Whiteboard Project”, a media and events brand focused on encouraging people to develop the ‘white space areas of their life’, whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The LL24H Challenge is the first adversity related event from the The Whiteboard Project, being done to support mental health, specifically within the Veteran and First Responder Communities across North America. He is 28 years old. “You are better than you think you are”.
THE WHITEBOARD PROJECT.
Is a media and events brand that challenges the concept of human potential. Through it’s podcast, the hosts have open and honest dialogue with people who have pushed the boundaries of human potential across a broad spectrum of categories. The Whiteboard Project aims to inspire self confidence in people so they muster the courage to tackle the ‘whitespace of their life’ whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The Whiteboard Project hopes to lead from the front by creating unique adversity challenges like the ‘Locked & Loaded, 24-hour of Isolation’ event and by helping people build their inner strength through wellness retreats. Collectively, through our community and partners, we can all leave the world in a little better shape then we found it. Visit www.thewhiteboardproject.com , It’s Your Move.
Locked + Loaded, 24 Hours of Isolation (LL24H) was done as a physical and mental challenge in support of Mental Health benefiting Military members, Veterans, First Responders and their families.
Held in beautiful Lake Tahoe, CA at the 2018 Spartan World Championships the event was broadcasted live to social media and broadcasted to a global audience.
The challenge witnessed 4 endurance athletes enter their own shipping container, where they were deprived of light, sound, and biofeedback (such as time, distance, pace, and heart rate data). There, they each attempted to run for 24 hours on a TrueForm Runner (a non motorized treadmill) to see who could run the most miles.
Stepping up to the plate for the first ever challenge were;
3 x Ironman and Skydiver, John Witzing
Retired U.S. Marine and Adventure athlete, Brian "Tosh" Chontosh
Professional OCR athlete, Isaiah Vidal
Personal Trainer, Josh Chessman
Backed by an all volunteer team and production crew, the event quickly escalated into something that was conceived in a car driving to a Mountain Ultra during the spring of 2018. What was originally intended to be done in John Witzing's backyard, got catapulted to the world stage when Joe De Sena offered up the Spartan venue.
The story of how this all came together, the struggle and triumph, and the craziness of how it was conceived, made it an epic adventure and interesting experiment in human potential.
If this resonates with you, please consider supporting the cause.
BACKSTORY.
We’ve got a problem on our hand. A societal issue. One that has multi-layered consequences if we don’t resolve it.
This is about us: Human Beings.
No one should be deprived of the mental wellbeing. When that happens, everyone around that person (family, friends, colleagues and community) suffers.
The situation.
20% of North Americans are affected by mental health.
49% of people who experience Depression or Anxiety, do not report it to their doctor.
Reported mental health related issues increase to over 50% among adults 40 plus.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among women and men from adolescence to middle age.
Suicide is 4x’s higher among emergency responders.
Each day over 20 United States Military Veterans take their own lives.
Military members have higher rates of Depression and Anxiety then the general population.
39% of people 18 years or older would like to exercise, but don’t.
67% of people who have gym memberships, don’t use them.
Exercise is recognized as a treatment method for mental health related issues.
With so much knowledge, why aren’t people speaking out or seeking help?
Stigma, still exists everywhere.
Lack of understanding on where the resources are, how to access, or what they can do to help.
The right resources.
Daily, we hear about lives of being affected by mental health.
3 Ontario Provincial Police officers commit suicide in 3 weeks.
Veteran Suicide Problem is Growing.
The news articles could go on...just Google it!
This needs to stop!
It’s time to tackle this subject head on!
Introducing LL24H.
Locked & Loaded, 24 Hours of Isolation is the ultimate test of adversity. It’s a first of it’s kind, sensory deprivation running event done in complete isolation. It’s being done in support of Mental Health, Veterans, and First Responders.
A first of its kind Adversity Challenge.
It’s never been done by anyone, anywhere in the world.
A sensory deprivation challenge for 24 Hours - The Ultimate Test of Endurance.
3 Athletes each locked inside their own 10 Foot Shipping Container. On a TrueForm Runner, in complete darkness. For 24 Hours. Without any Artificial Light or Sound. No measurement of Biofeedback. Most miles run, earns the bragging rights.
The true VICTORY comes from helping those suffering in silence.
Being inside the “box”, isolated, suffering through what is likely to be the toughest challenge the trio has done in their life, is symbolic of those dealing with mental health issues who are afraid to raise their hand for help. They face adversity every day. Whether that be because of the fear they have about what others will think or the lack of knowledge on where to go for help, too many people are not raising their hands. That needs to stop!
Let’s start a new conversation.
Let’s showcase that it’s okay to struggle and to be afraid to deal with adversity. But, let’s also showcase that there are solutions and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Let’s join together and tackle this shit head on.
LL24h is being held at the 2018 Spartan World Championships in Lake Tahoe, California and it will be broadcasted live to social media.
Our mission.
Shine a light for those suffering in silence, giving them a way forward.
We want to reduce stigma and raise money for mental health initiatives; especially within the Veteran community across North America.
We have two official benefactors.
Wounded Warriors Canada, which is a national mental health charity supporting Canada’s ill and injured Veterans, First Responders and their families.
The Reveille Project, which helps restore veterans lives post active duty by giving them tools to integrate socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually back into civilian life.
Why support this cause?
Look around. Someone you know is dealing with something we know nothing about. They want a way out!
And, More and more we know that being physical is critical to one’s mental health!
We also know that when people push and place themselves in physically demanding situations, they develop a stronger mindset to succeed.
Within this challenge, you have three athletes who have experience at pushing themselves hard, but this event will be a struggle. By placing themselves inside the box, they hope to at least showcase that despite whatever struggles we face, there is always a way to get through it.
The trio knows that in the midst of chaos comes order and in the darkest of places, there will always be light. It’s going to be a grind, but 'we' can get through it.
We are a 100% volunteer based initiative.
Outside of operational costs, all money raised is directly transferred to Wounded Warriors Canada and The Reveille Project through their respective fundraising platforms.
Based on our fundraising goals, the overall aim is to keep total operational costs to less than 5% of the total amount raised for these mental health organizations.
Any size of donation will help. Collectively, we thank-you for your support!
With gratitude,
Tosh, John, and Josh.
ATHLETES.
John Witzing is an active member of the Ontario Provincial Police where he serves as a Constable. Growing up in a military household and the son of an infantryman, serving one’s community was ingrained from a young age. He is active in the ultra endurance community having completed Ironman three times, multiple Ironman 70.3 and Olympic distance triathlon races, and his first 30 mile mountain trail race in 2018. He is an avid skydiver and scuba diver and enjoys exploring how the mind and body reacts within hostile environments, in order to help others overcome their self-imposed limitations or any other obstacles that come their way throughout life. He founded “The Whiteboard Project”, a media and events brand focused on encouraging people to develop the ‘white space areas of their life’, whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The LL24H Challenge is the first adversity related event from the The Whiteboard Project, being done to support mental health, specifically within the Veteran and First Responder Communities across North America. He is 43 years old and father of two children. “When we win, nothing hurts”.
Brian Chontosh ("tosh") retired as a Major from the Marine Corps having served as an enlisted infantryman and infantry officer spanning 21 years of service. He's been awarded the Navy Cross and two Bronze Stars for valor during combat operations as well as the Meritorious Service Medal; among others, during his time in the Corps. He is active in the ultra endurance community having competed in Primal Quest three times, the Adventure Racing XPD World Championships in Australia, GodZone, Wenger Patagonia, Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Arrowhead 135; to name a few. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys exploring his physical and psychological limits in order to better understand himself and serve others. He founded the company "Crooked Butterfly Ranch" that provides experiential learning leveraging Nature to foster team building, mental toughness, and leadership. He's participating in the LL24H Challenge to raise awareness and support for mental health initiatives within the Veteran Community through The Reveille Project. He's 44 years old and father to three children. "Winners do Winner shit".
Josh Chessman is an entrepreneur and one of Canada’s top personal trainers. He is the co-owner of 24 Seven Family Gym and inspires a community to better their health everyday. He is a self described ‘avid experimentalist’ because he is known to tackle new challenges that take him outside of his comfort zone are the Strongman and Crossfit pursuits he is accustomed to. He has completed a half marathon and a 30 mile mountain trail race in 2018. He is a drummer and musician for the band, The New Blue. He is an avid reader and believer in Stoic philosophy. He is the co-founder and collaborator of “The Whiteboard Project”, a media and events brand focused on encouraging people to develop the ‘white space areas of their life’, whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The LL24H Challenge is the first adversity related event from the The Whiteboard Project, being done to support mental health, specifically within the Veteran and First Responder Communities across North America. He is 28 years old. “You are better than you think you are”.
THE WHITEBOARD PROJECT.
Is a media and events brand that challenges the concept of human potential. Through it’s podcast, the hosts have open and honest dialogue with people who have pushed the boundaries of human potential across a broad spectrum of categories. The Whiteboard Project aims to inspire self confidence in people so they muster the courage to tackle the ‘whitespace of their life’ whether that be improving their health, mindset, climbing a mountain, or tackling an important societal issue to raise awareness or impact change. The Whiteboard Project hopes to lead from the front by creating unique adversity challenges like the ‘Locked & Loaded, 24-hour of Isolation’ event and by helping people build their inner strength through wellness retreats. Collectively, through our community and partners, we can all leave the world in a little better shape then we found it. Visit www.thewhiteboardproject.com , It’s Your Move.
Fundraising team: The Whiteboard Project (5)
John Witzing
Organizer
Peterborough, ON
Brian Chontosh
Team member
Cody May
Team member
Josh Chessman
Team member
Riley Kluppel
Team member
