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Alex Staniforth

Alex Staniforth

Adversity Adventurer, Motivational Resilience Speaker, Author and Mental Health Activist

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All I want for Christmas…

You are here: Home / Everest 2014 Updates / All I want for Christmas…

December 22, 2013 by AdversityAdventurer Leave a Comment

There’s lots of things we want for Christmas, whether it’s new clothes, perfume/aftershave, chocolate, fancy new gadgets that will go out of fashion in a few months, a new bike, jewellery… some new slippers. You name it – we want it. Noticed anything with these things above? They’re all material goods, and they don’t last forever.

As much as I’d cherish one of those home coffee machines for Christmas, this year I’d be content even if I acquired nothing more than a pair of cotton socks and a knitted sweater from my grandma that’s two sizes too small. Because right now, my Everest climb feels more real than ever before- no longer just a dream. And that, is quite simply the best Christmas present I could ask for.

I’ve got a place on a fantastic expedition team, I’ve a hefty chunk (over two thirds) of my expedition funding in place already, a great support team and in general I feel ready and focused. 29th March is the date. The day mum has kittens and I board my flight to Kathmandu to embark on the best experience of my life and attempt to live my ultimate dream. I can’t wait, or believe it’s really happening.

I booked my flights last week with Etihad – and you all know the excitement that brings. But this isn’t for any old ‘holiday’. To me, it’s feels like a rewarding achievement alone just to get to this position. The fruition of a year’s ruthless dedication to making this happen- fundraising is almost as hard as the climb itself! Reminiscing, it’s exactly a year since I actually kickstarted this whole project off and took the mighty leap. I didn’t think it could be done- nor did many others- but as always, I learn that impossible is nothing if you want it enough.

I’m not there yet, of course. There’s a lot of work to be done, not to forget my training, but I know I’ll get there. I just know it, and I trust that belief- it’s got me this far. My training is now led by a professional training plan by Plymouth sports scientist Ian White, and it’s great. I frequently wake up feeling like my legs have been ran-over, but it’s all good.

Glad to be supported by MyProtein for post session refuelling!

There’s many things I can’t control or train for on Everest. That’s just how it is. But to get the chance to live my dream, I’m so grateful for. To me, that means more than any materialistic Christmas present. A priceless and unforgettable experience that lasts much longer- it will stay with me for the rest of my life. Hopefully my coffee machine will, too…

Have a great Christmas and New Year folks – aim high with your new resolutions (you never know where it will take you) and I hope you enjoy following the next chapter in 2014.

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Category iconEverest 2014 Updates Tag icon2014,  alex staniforth,  christmas,  climb4change,  everest,  gifts,  presents,  south,  textlocal

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Mind Over Mountains is a charity restoring mental health naturally through therapeutic outdoor experiences.

Read more and join us at: www.mindovermountains.org.uk

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alexstaniforth_

Climbing mountains and the mind.
Charity Founder @mindomountains
🌎 The Lake District #GetOutside
Athlete @inov_8 @ordnancesurvey @ellisbrigham

Alex Staniforth - Adventurer
Back where it all began. Running with my old man! Back where it all began. Running with my old man!

Last March I got my Parkrun PB at Keswick and this weekend got my slowest at Fell Foot.

The plan was to keep my heart rate under 145bpm to avoid another crash of fatigue, which meant walking most of the hills. It took the discipline of Yoda not to set off chasing people like the good old days, especially when my dad overtook me in the first km. 

I hated exercise as a kid. On holiday in France my stepmum bribed me with €2 to run a mile with him. That was a lot of money back then... I hated every minute but dad inspired me to enter a 10km race for charity, and the rest is history. Dad came to watch every race since, as I happily claimed the family record at every distance from 5km to marathon, whilst he retired to become a Parkrun tourist. 

Never thought he'd beat me again, but never forget where you started.
.
#LongCovid #TheComeback #MatchingJackets #parkrun #loveparkrun #fellfootpark
#LakeDistrict #lakedistrictuk #runninginspiration #Fellfoot #windermere #parkruntourist #fatherson
Much-needed adventure inspiration from @mrmarkbeau Much-needed adventure inspiration from @mrmarkbeaumont on his Faster tour at Rheged last weekend. 

Mark is the fastest person to cycle around the world in 80 days (that's 240 miles a day... for perspective) amongst many other records. He's been a huge personal inspiration and kindly endorsed my 2nd book.

So much resonated, but a few favourite takeaways: 

- Trust the process, the bigger picture will always take care of itself. 

- Remove the faff. His team had to ensure he was on the bike by 4am, not 4:05am. That would have added an entire day to his record.

- Mark had 40 people working on his world record. He knew that if he failed, the whole team failed. 

- Good times won't last forever, but that means the bad ones won't either... 

Thanks Mark. Grab his books, talks and films if you're needing some adventure inspiration! 

#faster #worldcycle #ultracycling #markbeaumont #inspiration #80days #mindset #cyclingheroes #rheged #ultracyclist 
@speakersfromtheedge
214/214 Wainwrights complete! Somehow it's taken 214/214 Wainwrights complete! 

Somehow it's taken 12 years, 8 months and 25 days since my first summit, Souther Fell, aged 14 (swipe for evidence). For those who don't know, the Wainwrights are a list of 214 summits created by legendary writer Alfred Wainwright. There was no better hill to finish than the aptly named 'Great Cockup', with a great crowd of friends.

The record is 5 days 12 hrs 14 mins... If only we hadn't stopped for a sandwich 😂 

Meanwhile @thehodfather666 is currently climbing all 214 with a 4 stone hod of house bricks, to raise money for @mindomountains.

However fast you go, there's something strangely addictive about this collection of fells. It's been a fun project to explore the Lakes and maybe one day I'll start again to see how fast I can get around... 

📸@danobeaumont

#GreatCockup #Wainwrights #LakeDistrict #Hillwalking  #GetOutside #Lakes #peakbagging #wainwrightswalks
A big welcome to the first CEO of @mindomountains, A big welcome to the first CEO of @mindomountains, Ian Sansbury! 

When Chris and I founded the charity in 2020 we never imagined how big it would become. From the flagship event with @adventureuncovered to delivering 27 events last year, supporting 300+ people with their mental health, including the NHS, Police and Ambulance Service.

Leadership is about creating a vision, and building a great team to achieve it - like our wonderful trustees, team and 50+ freelance staff who continually go above and beyond. 

It’s also knowing your strengths and weaknesses, when ironically it's compromised my own mental health sometimes too. As the charity grows I'm not the right person to take it where it needs to be, so it can reach everyone who needs our help.

Feeling like a proud parent sending their kids off to start school, with less crying, but I'm super excited to see the charity grow and support even more people with Ian’s expertise. 

I’ll remain heavily involved as a trustee (and Chief Interference Officer) to support the team, tell the story and raise money through daft adventures… 

Thanks to everyone who's been part of the first chapter. Onwards!

#NewChapter #MyBaby  #MentalHealthCharity #MindOverMountains
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