I would run laps in the ward's courtyard until I couldn't anymore.

An anonymous guest article

If we had it our way, every week we’d be sharing a story from within our community. This week, we have an inspiring and eye-opening story on resilience, and if you’d like to add to the momentum, please email your story to hello@runningforresilience.com

But before we get started…

And one more thing!

Similar to last year, Mont Adventure Equipment is setting up a store for Wednesday’s run next week. It’s already getting darker and when Daylight Savings ends… we’re going to need more runners with head lamps and reflective gear.

If you need some new kit, next week is your opportunity!

A bad hand

An anonymous guest article

I was given a bad hand

I have struggled with Bipolar Disorder, OCD, and severe anxiety since I was a young kid - I later ended up developing Borderline Personality Disorder which is a diagnosis full of stigma in itself.

I was taken to many different doctors, counsellors and therapists as a kid, trying to find a steady treatment plan - it honestly felt like I had seen every mental health professional in Canberra but not many wanted to work with me.

I was a complex case as I was so young, doctors were very hesitant to label me with any diagnosis, but eventually I received my diagnoses and treatment plans.

My parents were always my rock as I navigated a difficult mental health system and they always made sure I was compliant with my medication (something that grinded my gears as a teenager but they were just looking out for me).

By the time I was 20 I thought I had everything figured out, I had moved out of home, I was very compliant with my medications, I had good insight to my mental illness' and I had an amazing government job.

But then I fell into a long dark depression.

My psychiatrist was changing my meds left right and centre to get me back to baseline, but nothing was working. I watched myself sink and start to drown in my own depression.

I was drinking too much, my work performance took a dip. Struggling financially, my relationship felt bleak (everything did), and I ended up making a huge mistake which would cause me to lose my licence.

I was held in a psychiatric facility twice because I was no longer safe, I felt so consumed by this depression that I felt like a shadow of my former self. It was during these almost back to back stays where I learnt that I really love to paint and also that I really like to run.

I would run laps in the ward's courtyard until I couldn't anymore.

I was laying in my bed in the ward and my parents who were by my side told me "you are the most resilient person we know, you can pull yourself out of this" and that's what I did.

I painted more and I ran harder than I ever have before.

David Goggins is a massive inspiration for me - he had every reason to give up because of his "bad hand" but he didn't; he pushes himself to his limits everyday both physically and mentally.

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Thank you to the author.

It’s an inspiring story in itself, but it raises an important lens we can use to improve our resilience… reading. Personally, I found inspiration through David Goggins as well, but I know there are so many other books and stories out there that can help. Do you have any recommendations?