The Spirit Lives, Antarctica expedition

Hi all,

I am part of a group of Australian Defence Force current and ex-serving members attempting to ski across Antarctica, raising awareness for suicide and mental health, resilience, female leadership and the core values of defence. If successful, we will be the first Australian team and largest team ever to complete this 70-day, 1600km expedition. As a part of this expedition, we will raise funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.

Last year, my brother made the decision to end his life. My grief for his loss sent me to the depth of despair. I was forced to confront my own battles with poor mental health. I was reluctant to seek to treatment because of mine and others perceptions of this invisible illness. I am now seeking treatment, recovering and now rebuilding.

I want my part in this expedition to increase the likelihood of people making the hard decision to have a hard conversation. It takes courage to ask someone if they’re ok. It takes a lot more courage to admit “you are not ok”. Mental health injuries are invisible to everyone except the person suffering. If you had a broken bone. You probably would not wait. You would seek treatment. Everyone around you would accept that you have a broken bone. We should view poor mental health as crippling as a broken bone. It is invisible but should seek treatment. Everyone around you should accept that.

I have never had as much value my own life except for when I thought I was near the edge of it whilst adventuring in the pursuit of this expedition. Adventure training provides a perceived risk that makes me value my all my personal interactions, my passion for keeping active and my yearn for more life whilst keeping me humble. Success by The Spirit Lives, Antarctica expedition will be a once in a lifetime effort that will inspire everyday people that witness our team achieve amazing (hopefully not heroic) feats and adopt a similarly healthy way of life.

Funds raised in Go Fund Me will initially be attributed to the logistics of getting to the Southern Continent safely. All funds raised when down there will go to our benefactor charities.