INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

Extraordinary Stories about Inspirational Men

Today, 19 November, is International Men’s Day and it started me thinking about how walking has helped some men who have been faced with enormous challenges, and how it has helped them to overcome their respective issues with mental health. The stereotype that men don’t need help - especially mental health help - persists to this day. Evidence shows fewer men seek out assistance for mental health challenges compared to women. 

The physical benefits of walking are well known, but perhaps the benefits to mental wellbeing are not quite so obvious. Well apparently, there are several key benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, improving self-esteem, reducing the risk of depression, promoting better sleep, boosting mood and enhancing cognitive function. It can also encourage mindfulness and meditation. And there is medical science which supports this, and provides explanations of how the effects of walking cause changes to create this improvement in mental wellbeing.

I’ve seen lots of anecdotal evidence on social media too which demonstrate how walking can help. Comments such as “it helps me to manage my depression”, “I get away from it all”, “It gives me headspace and time to think” and “being close to nature really helps me” are quoted quite frequently. I’ve also noticed that groups have emerged which provide hikes specifically to help people who are experiencing issues with mental health.

I’ve read several books about men who have turned to walking as a kind of part resolution in coping with their depression or emerging from life-changing events and trying, somehow, to move on from them. These are just some of these books, which are all truly inspirational.   

‘High and Low’ is by Keith Foskett who unknowingly suffering with depression, hiked through Scotland’s wilderness and travelled 600 miles, including the Cape Wrath Trail and West Highland Way, which helped him cope with depression. The book provides and interesting insight into depression his struggles with it, and how walking helped him cope. 

 ‘Top of the World’ is by Martin Hibbert who survived the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, alongside his very seriously injured teenage daughter. Despite being left paralysed from the waist down, Martin went on to summit Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair. It is a story about how major tragedy was transformed into triumph, as he helped to dispel perceptions by showing what is possible in the face of adversity, and raising £1million for charity.

‘Three Dads Walking’ was written by Tim Owen, Mike Palmer and Andy Airey, who initially walked 300 miles across the country in memory of their three daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily who tragically took their own lives. What they endured was way beyond the comprehension of most of us but, like others, they turned to walking, brought together by their shared grief. They also, were triumphant and have made an enormous impact in developing awareness about suicides by young people and raising a significant amount of money for their charity. 

 ‘Finding Hildasay’ is by ex-paratrooper Christian Lewis who walked the entire coast of the UK, setting off with just £10 in his pocket, and his dog Jet. Suffering with severe depression, he embarked on his epic adventure which literally turned his life around. Not only did he have many amazing experiences on the route, but he also met the woman who became his partner and give birth to their child.

I was particularly interested to read ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn and to watch the subsequent film, because I have walked the South West Coast Path, and I know how challenging it is. Her story is about how shortly after her husband Moth, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, their home and livelihood were taken away from them. And, like others, they turned to walking, and made an impulsive decision to walk the

630 miles of South West Coast Path carrying only essential items, and camping along the way. Their walk became a remarkable journey. The book (and the film) was later subject to international scrutiny concerning the accuracy of some of the facts documented and the story became tainted as the author was somewhat discredited. But, whatever the truth, it remains an extraordinary story, and Moth’s sheer tenacity in contemplating and undertaking such a challenging walk with his disability, demonstrates what can be achieved. 

When I read these books, I felt extremely humble. They all validate how walking can be helpful in overcoming mental issues, how extreme negatives can be transformed into positive outcomes and, in some cases, can be truly life-changing. These are all extraordinary stories about extraordinary men, who all used walking to resolve their intense life-challenges. They are inspirational and deserve to be celebrated on International Men’s Day.