Have you ever met some-one that stops you in your tracks and makes you really look at what you are doing on a daily basis? I have been fortunate that over the years I have met many such people. The type of person that brightens your day with their enthusiasm for life. The type of person that makes you sit up and take notice. The type of person that doesn’t just say how they want to live their life, they actually live it. About a month ago, I had the privilege of meeting another such person. I was attending a Business Meeting, and the guest speaker was a man who had just crossed the Bass Strait in a kayak. Now, for people that are not familiar with this area of ocean, let me fill you in. The distance is 350km between mainland Australia and Tasmania, (twice as wide as the English Channel) and is considered to be a notoriously dangerous stretch of water with extreme weather conditions.
I can remember thinking “Why on earth would anyone pull such a stunt. He must be crazy”, but I was fascinated to meet a person who would take such risks, and find out why. What I found was a person who had not only crossed the Bass Strait in a kayak, but he had also cycled across Canada to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. I had found Nick Bladen, a person whom I am grateful to have met. Even though we only spoke briefly, he had an impact on me that I don’t think many others had before him. His story will inspire you from the reasons behind his adventures to his life philosophies. Welcome to his story.
In October 2006, I set out to ride across the second largest country in the world to raise awareness about the prevalence of cardiovascular Disease as the biggest killer in the Western World, and educate kids by speaking in schools, and speaking to all those I encountered about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. If I could ride my bike across the second biggest country in the world in winter (minus 16 degrees), then hopefully they could ride to school, throw a Frisbee, or go for a walk with the dog. In short, life to me started to appear much like a 10 speed bike. That is, we all have gears we don’t even use. What gears was I not using because I was waiting for life to happen?
The event that gave me the impetus to start such an endeavor was spurred from the death of my father at the age of 47 from a heart attack. I was 21, and did not want to surrender my life to the crippling grip of a morbidly inactive lifestyle where people would eat rather poorly, over consume alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, and die young rather than instill a bit of discipline and self control and live a longer, healthier, happier and more fulfilled life.
I was always inspired by those who acted on what they said they would do, so I set out to ride across Canada. I was in a stage of limbo as I had finished studying, broke up from a 7 year relationship, lost my father, and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. The trip was embarked on to find myself, but what ended up happening was that I began to create myself instead. It gave me the insight and strength to follow my inner compass and do what I wanted to do, and ever since then, it created this fire inside of me to be my best. To be the best that I could be and share that with the world. Doing these adventurous things has now given me meaning and direction and hopefully has a positive flow-on affect with those around me.
This is the beginning of Nick’s story as I know it. These are his words, and over the coming weeks, I will publish further extracts from his amazing story. His hope, and mine is that his story will encourage comments and debate. Perhaps you have had a tragedy that spurred you on to become a better, stronger person. Or maybe, Nick’s story will inspire you to create yourself and take those first steps to making your change. Whatever this story does for you, please share your thoughts, and help spread Nick’s message of living the type of life we all want, a life of courage, health, fulfillment, and happiness.
Can’t wait to read more. How long did it take to cycle across Canada? It sounds like a fascinating story.
Hi Susan
Thanks for your comments. The story was cartainly an interesting and learning experience and it has shaped my life in ways I never anticipated. The ride took 77days in total, total Km’s was 8231 from West to East. I will reserve myself from sharing more as I think Brenda will be sharing more with you over the weeks. I am happy to chat anytime however so just ask Brenda for my number and email.
Onwards and Upwards. 🙂
You must have trained a long time for this trip. I have trouble walking a couple of km
Susan, everyone has their own journey to make, whether that is 8231km across the Canadian countryside, or a walk around your block. Start where you are now. Don’t compare yourself with others. Compare yourself to what you did yesterday and the day before. Each little improvement will make an enormous difference to your life. Thank you for your comments.
It is good to read a good quality blog with useful data on topics that many are interested on. First hand on actual experiences even helped more. Keep doing what you do as we enjoy reading your work.
great experience, dude! thanks for this great post wow… it’s very wonderful report.
Great article. Thank you so much!
I enjoyed reading your blog. It was well written and easy to understand. After reading it, I had to go show my wife and she enjoyed it as well!
Love these posts. Thanks for sharing.
I have added your blog to my favorites list. I really enjoyed this story.
Wonderful journey and experience! Loved reading each post on this adventure
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Great post mate, gonna bookmark this – hope to see more from you soon
Great read. Thanks
Hi,this is Jesse. I just discovered your site and it is great.
This is the first time I have commented on a site. Just wanted to say thank you. Your posts are easy to read and interesting
Brilliant and well deserved! Enjoy the moment and the prize! A fantastic achievement
Thank you for all your wonderful comments. It is a remarkable journey
Blimey, 🙂 it’s amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it
Love this blog, thanks for sharing your thoughts, and especially like this story
Hi, I found your blog on google. I think this story is amazing! I have read the other posts from this series, and it provides a great reference for me. Thank you
Giving a talk to people next week on perseverance and determination. I’ll be pointing people in the direction of this website – I really enjoy your many and varied topics which are all written with a no nonsense approach. Thank you
Love this blog. So much great information and stories
Brilliant story.