Thanks for listening to another episode of It Ain’t Weak to Speak with Sam Webb. Please rate the podcast and leave a review if you enjoyed it. 

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There are days when simply getting out of bed takes enormous strength, determination and courage, especially for those battling a mental illness. Our guest today took that challenge to the next level where he not only got out of bed, but ran a marathon every day for 31 days all in the name of mental health awareness and raising funds for LIVIN. 

Jake Malby, AKA Forest Goat, an ultra runner and ultra human, joins us today to talk about his own mental health journey and what inspired him to undertake the extraordinary challenge of running 42.2km every day for the month of August in 2019. He talks about the physical and mental preparation, what drove him to keep going and how his incredible efforts created a safe space for people to open up and start talking about their own challenges. 

Jake shares about his struggle with depression and what drove him to the place where he was ready to take his own life in 2016. Saved by his brother and a new found love for running, Jake discovered the power of reaching out for help and now lives a life focussed on staying physically, emotionally and mentally healthy, inspiring others to do the same.

As Jake shares about his personal journey, he unveils the significance behind why he chose the month of August to run. Each day was dedicated to a different person who’s life had been changed by the devastating effects of suicide and although he pushed his body to the limit, endured an incredible amount of physical pain, he shares how it was nothing compared to the emotional anguish he felt when he was ready to take his life. 

This episode is a must listen. As Jake shares his story and his heart to see other lives turned around for the good, it will no doubt inspire. The importance of speaking up and the power of saving one life, your own, can never be underestimated.

TOPICS WE COVER AND WHERE TO FIND THEM:

[4:00]: How Jake’s mental health journey started at the age of 16 where he started seeing signs of depression and how eventually talking about it really helped him

[5:15]: How Jake’s eyes were opened to the mental health space when he was first on scene to his mother’s suicide attempt

[5:45]: Jake shares about a low point he reached in 2016 when he planned to take his life and how his brother saved him and encouraged him to start running

[6:25]: How running gave Jake purpose and has been positive for his mental and physical health to the point that he was able to go off medication after 6 months

[8:00]: Jake shares about what drove him to the place where he was ready to take his life and how he didn’t want to burden anyone else with his suffering

[10:30]: How Jake now reaches out for help because he knows that he would happily help someone else and the power of a positive mind

[12:20]: How running was Jake’s coping mechanism and what happened when he wasn’t able to run anymore

[13:30]: How Jake has been diagnosed with bipolar and is back on medication to help manage it

LINKS WE MENTIONED:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forest.goat/

Website: http://www.jakemalby.com.au/

Thanks for listening to another episode of It Ain’t Weak to Speak with Sam Webb. Please rate the show and leave a review if you enjoyed it. 

Click here to leave a review & rate our show!

If after listening to this episode and you don't quite feel right or you want to reach out to someone to speak to, we have provided some useful resources below. 

For immediate support please call one of the following 24/7 hotlines. Someone will be ready to take your call. Remember, ‘It Ain’t Weak to Speak’

If you are in Australia:

Emergency: 000

Lifeline: 13 11 14

+6Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

If you are in the United States:

Emergency: 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text LIVIN to 741741 in the United States

If you would prefer to speak with someone face-to-face, we recommend visiting your local GP (doctor) who will be able to have a chat with you about what is going on in your life and refer you to a mental health professional if required.

For some tools to help you with things like stress, low mood, general worries, please check out our LIVIN tips and tricks here.

If you would like to learn more about LIVIN, join the movement, or help spread the word, please visit us at the links below:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin 

Shop Our Merch collection to support the cause and start a conversation that could save a life.

Get Involved in one of our upcoming events or book a program at your school or workplace.

Donate to support the mission and help us spread the message.

Join us on our Facebook Group to continue the conversation and to connect with our community so that we can help more people.