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alex@alexstaniforth.com

Alex Staniforth

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

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Alex’s Charity

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_

Challenges are what I do.
Ultra-running, Adventure, Mental Health.
Founder @mind_o_mountains. Author. @inov_8 @ellisbrigham Athlete.
👣 Lake District

<img src="https://alexstaniforth.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/alexstaniforth_.jpg" alt="Alex Staniforth" width="50" height="50">

Just keep swimming! No better place to finish 32

Just keep swimming!

No better place to finish 32 swims in 32 days than 2km across Buttermere into the sunset with friends.

It was one goal I never managed last year but I'm glad - because last night it meant so much more. It's been my easiest challenge to date, yet one of the most fun. Getting to be a clueless beginner once again, exploring 32 places and sharing it with 18 friends old and new has been a blast. It's been great to discover an amazing community who use cold water for managing anxiety and stress too. I always thought they were mad - but now I totally get it 😂 Once I get back from Canada in September I'll be back in the water again.

Mental health will always be one of my biggest challenges, so thanks to everyone who's donated to @mind_o_mountains to help us support mental health through time in nature alongside professional support. Still way off my target so please give if you can.

Despite nearly losing my GoPro in Buttermere, there'll be a short film soon to share the highlights... In the meantime, thanks to @kenny.d.block for the ace photos.
.
#32dipsin32days #wildswimming #swimming #openwater #lakedistrict #lakes #lakedistrictuk #mentalhealth #sunset #buttermere #speedouk #mindovermountains #lakesswimming #adventure #wildswimminguk #openwater

<img src="https://alexstaniforth.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png" alt="Just keep swimming! No better place to finish 32 swims in 32 days than 2km across Buttermere into the sunset with friends. It was one goal I never managed last year but I'm glad - because last night it meant so much more. It's been my easiest challenge to date, yet one of the most fun. Getting to be a clueless beginner once again, exploring 32 places and sharing it with 18 friends old and new has been a blast. It's been great to discover an amazing community who use cold water for managing anxiety and stress too. I always thought they were mad - but now I totally get it 😂 Once I get back from Canada in September I'll be back in the water again. Mental health will always be one of my biggest challenges, so thanks to everyone who's donated to @mind_o_mountains to help us support mental health through time in nature alongside professional support. Still way off my target so please give if you can. Despite nearly losing my GoPro in Buttermere, there'll be a short film soon to share the highlights... In the meantime, thanks to @kenny.d.block for the ace photos. . #32dipsin32days #wildswimming #swimming #openwater #lakedistrict #lakes #lakedistrictuk #mentalhealth #sunset #buttermere #speedouk #mindovermountains #lakesswimming #adventure #wildswimminguk #openwater">

Why stop with a pool like this? That's 30 dips i

Why stop with a pool like this?

That's 30 dips in 30 days complete. But mental health is a daily process, not just a month. So if you're in the Lakes tomorrow, come and join us at Buttermere for the finale. I'd wanted to swim Wastwater but that's the usual challenge voice kicking in, and pushing myself too much right now defeats the object.

Swim the full 2km, paddle or even walk along the lakeshore. All are welcome. 6:30pm at Gatesgarth Farm (or 7:30ish on the other side). It's looking like a scorcher!

Even if you're not in the Lakes, why not join us virtually by going for a dip at your nearest water or pool at 6:30pm? @bestillstephen is joining us from Bala Lake in Wales! Please stay in your limits though, especially in the hot weather.

It's not too late to sponsor a swim for @mind_o_mountains if you can - link in bio - thanks for your support!

📸 @andydicksonforce4good

#wildswimming #lakes #lakedistrict #openwater #30dipsin30days #lakedistrictuk #ullswater #summer #wildswim #challenge #mindovermountains #mentalhealth #getoutside

<img src="https://alexstaniforth.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png" alt="Why stop with a pool like this? That's 30 dips in 30 days complete. But mental health is a daily process, not just a month. So if you're in the Lakes tomorrow, come and join us at Buttermere for the finale. I'd wanted to swim Wastwater but that's the usual challenge voice kicking in, and pushing myself too much right now defeats the object. Swim the full 2km, paddle or even walk along the lakeshore. All are welcome. 6:30pm at Gatesgarth Farm (or 7:30ish on the other side). It's looking like a scorcher! Even if you're not in the Lakes, why not join us virtually by going for a dip at your nearest water or pool at 6:30pm? @bestillstephen is joining us from Bala Lake in Wales! Please stay in your limits though, especially in the hot weather. It's not too late to sponsor a swim for @mind_o_mountains if you can - link in bio - thanks for your support! 📸 @andydicksonforce4good #wildswimming #lakes #lakedistrict #openwater #30dipsin30days #lakedistrictuk #ullswater #summer #wildswim #challenge #mindovermountains #mentalhealth #getoutside">

Progress rarely goes in a straight line. We want

Progress rarely goes in a straight line.

We want to keep getting better every year and to keep pushing the bar as we build our confidence, experience and resilience.

This year I had more races booked and even bigger challenges planned than the last. But Covid had other ideas for me.

This week I've pulled my last race of the year (Lakes In A Day) in October to try and recover for 2023.

But this week I also:

- Swam Loweswater, where we started the Lakes, Meres and Waters run back in April. That was my first 100 miler and I'd never have believed that I'd end up swimming across it 4 months later.

- Went for my first swimming lesson in 20+ years. Less tears and tantrums this time, but lots still to work on.

- Swam Derwentwater with Tim Mosedale, my Everest 2014 + 15 expedition leader. Opposite where Tim took me on my first rock climb 12 years ago. I was probably equally knackered, to be honest.

This year's progress looks more like a rollercoaster wave than a straight line, but what goes down, must come back up again. Trust the process.

📸 @andymiltonphotography because he did a grand job.

@ellisbrigham
@inov_8
@ordnancesurvey

#playthelonggame #ultrarunning #wildswimming #lakedistrict #longcovid #covidrecovery #enduranceathlete #ultrarun #lakedistrictuk #lakes #getoutside #ultrarunner #100miler #setbacks #injuredrunner #mindset #progress

<img src="https://alexstaniforth.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png" alt="Progress rarely goes in a straight line. We want to keep getting better every year and to keep pushing the bar as we build our confidence, experience and resilience. This year I had more races booked and even bigger challenges planned than the last. But Covid had other ideas for me. This week I've pulled my last race of the year (Lakes In A Day) in October to try and recover for 2023. But this week I also: - Swam Loweswater, where we started the Lakes, Meres and Waters run back in April. That was my first 100 miler and I'd never have believed that I'd end up swimming across it 4 months later. - Went for my first swimming lesson in 20+ years. Less tears and tantrums this time, but lots still to work on. - Swam Derwentwater with Tim Mosedale, my Everest 2014 + 15 expedition leader. Opposite where Tim took me on my first rock climb 12 years ago. I was probably equally knackered, to be honest. This year's progress looks more like a rollercoaster wave than a straight line, but what goes down, must come back up again. Trust the process. 📸 @andymiltonphotography because he did a grand job. @ellisbrigham @inov_8 @ordnancesurvey #playthelonggame #ultrarunning #wildswimming #lakedistrict #longcovid #covidrecovery #enduranceathlete #ultrarun #lakedistrictuk #lakes #getoutside #ultrarunner #100miler #setbacks #injuredrunner #mindset #progress">

First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you

First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you don't get badges when you're 27 though. Gutted!

I had developed my very own swimming style which generally involved swallowing the water of various lakes, meres, waters and rivers in the last 25 days. You're never too late to learn something new. Thanks Heather @south_lakes_swimming for putting up with me!

@speedouk

#stillwantmybadgethough #30dipsin30days #swimming #openwaterswimming #openwater #windermere #lakedistrictuk #lakes #fellfoot #wildswimming #training #speedouk

<img src="https://alexstaniforth.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png" alt="First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you don't get badges when you're 27 though. Gutted! I had developed my very own swimming style which generally involved swallowing the water of various lakes, meres, waters and rivers in the last 25 days. You're never too late to learn something new. Thanks Heather @south_lakes_swimming for putting up with me! @speedouk #stillwantmybadgethough #30dipsin30days #swimming #openwaterswimming #openwater #windermere #lakedistrictuk #lakes #fellfoot #wildswimming #training #speedouk">

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