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Triumph Over the North Atlantic Ocean : a Monumental Rowing Adventure
Rowing the North Atlantic is a monumental feat that requires incredible physical and mental endurance. The North Atlantic is known for its challenging weather patterns, strong currents, and unpredictable conditions, making it one of the most demanding bodies of water to cross. On 28th Jan 2016, approaching midnight – I was sitting in my rowing position on the “Toby Wallace”, a light-weight ocean…
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My Ultimate Kayaking Adventure : Crossing The English Channel both ways
I embarked on the ultimate kayak journey across the English Channel, paddling from Dungeness, UK to Boulogne, France. Discover tips, routes, and the adventure of a lifetime! BBC . South East Today – Evening News 25.6.2021 – I’m on the Telly!!! On the 3rd February 2021, I completed my chemotherapy treatment for Cancer and rang the Bell. Six months later…
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A Trek into the World’s Largest Hot Desert: The Sahara
Discover the Majestic Beauty of the Sahara Desert: To me, the Sahara displays an awe-inspiring uniqueness as did the North Pole. They share extremes of contrasts yet alike in so many ways; legend, mystery and raw beauty. Both can and will kill you if you don’t respect them. The Sahara is the largest non-polar desert on our planet; 3,320,000 square miles…
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Trek to the Highest Mountain in Africa
My Journeys to the Summit of Mt Kilimanjaro: Highest Mountain in Africa Kilimanjaro demands respect, this mighty dormant volcano, soaring from the African plains, stands as the tallest freestanding mountain globally, reaching a staggering 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. I have climbed to Uhuru Peak, the Summit of Kilimanjaro Twice: Conquering Africa’s Tallest Freestanding Mountain- the second time…
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Highest Rugby Match Ever Played on Mount Everest
In April 2019 we trekked in the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine, up the Magic Highway’ to Mt Everest’s Advance Base Camp (ABC3) 6,500m/ 21325ft ; which is just below the North Col to play two games of Rugby on a glacier. Myself and Lesley, trekked and played alongside, Rugby stars Lee Mears, Ollie Phillips, Shane Williams, Tamara Taylor plus 20 inspirational…
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Man Overboard: The Most Feared Words in Ocean Rowing
The Toby Wallace Atlantic Rowing Tragedy – January/February 2016 The Toby Wallace Atlantic Row – January/February 2016 Tragedy struck in the night of February 14th. Location close to 18 29′ N 039 06′ W. over a thousand miles from land. https://my.yb.tl/oceanusrowing Simon gave a loud warning shout, “big wave”. I looked up to see a monster swell coming at us fast…
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Adventures, Camping / Equipment & Accessories, Expeditions, Hiking / Trekking, Hiking / Trekking, My Blog, Speaking
The Polar Race: 648km to the Top of the World
On April 9th, 2009, I faced an extraordinary challenge— “Probably the World’s Toughest Race” At 61, with 28 years of sobriety strengthening my resolve, I stood alongside my 34-year-old teammate, James Trotman. Embarking on the Race to the North Pole was more than just a contest; it was a daring expedition and the ultimate test of survival in one of…
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Recovery: Break Free from “What If’s ? & Yes But’s… “
The “What If & Yes But” syndrome is a variation on the same self-sabotaging mindset sometimes called the “but if” syndrome, “mental reservation,” or “escape clause.” It describes two closely related patterns of thought that can undermine recovery: Lately, I’ve been thinking back to a conversation I had with a counselor a few years ago—one that still stirs up a…
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The Circle of Trust : It’s Crucial for a Successful Recovery
Recovery from addiction, trauma, or illness is not something I can do alone. The strength and reliability of my support system deeply influence my healing journey. Over time, I’ve noticed that my Circle of Trust naturally expands and contracts, shaped by my experiences with those around me. When I find myself in meetings, relationships, or communities that feel unsafe or…
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Reclaim Your Life with Specialized Treatment Center’s Empower Recovery Program
from Addiction, Trauma, and Chronic Illness Specialized treatment centers offer a structured, supportive environment specifically designed to address complex mental and physical health needs. Although different programs vary in their approaches (ranging from inpatient residential care to outpatient counselling), they generally share the following positive benefits: Specialized Clinical and Medical Support Treatment centers often employ multidisciplinary teams of professionals…
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Powerful Benefits of Embracing Uncomfortable Challenges and Disciplines
Engaging in small, sometimes uncomfortable challenges and disciplines can be surprisingly beneficial to individuals recovering from addiction, trauma, or chronic illness. These small efforts or “micro-challenges” might include cold showers, short exercise routines, meditation sessions, or daily journaling commitments, among many other possibilities. While they might seem mundane (or even unpleasant) on the surface, they can play a powerful role…
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Cold Water Immersion Therapy: Proven Benefits
Wild or open cold-water swimming is the practice of swimming in natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or the ocean offers a range of potential benefits for both body and mind. While individual experiences vary, many people find it positively impacts their overall well-being. I’m lucky enough to live on the south coast of England, just five minutes from…
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Meditation: Improve Quality of Life in Recovery
Meditation offers a wide range of benefits, including reduced stress, improved focus, emotional balance, better sleep, and heightened self-awareness. It promotes relaxation, inner peace, and overall well-being. Finding the right meditation practice is a deeply personal journey; one that requires exploration, self-reflection, and a willingness to experiment. With countless ways to meditate, you can choose what resonates most with yourself,…
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How to Use the 24-Hour Plan to Recover from Addiction, Trauma & Illness
The 24-hour plan is a fundamental principle in addiction recovery, trauma healing, and managing chronic illness. It emphasizes focusing on one day at a time rather than becoming overwhelmed by long-term concerns. This approach is commonly used in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is successfully applied to trauma recovery and chronic illness management. How to Use the 24-Hour…
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Benefits of ‘Breathwork’ & Simple Techniques
I find breathwork to be an incredibly powerful way to nurture my emotional well-being. By focusing on my breathing, I can ease into a deep sense of relaxation, alleviate stress, and enhance my self-awareness. Whenever I’m feeling anxious or unsettled by a nightmare, I turn to a simple mindfulness exercise: a soothing breathing technique that helps calm my nervous system…
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Mental Resilience : A Powerful Tool in Recovery
Mental resilience refers to our ability to adapt and bounce back when faced with stress, challenges or adversity. I’ve learned that discipline-building exercises, like taking cold showers or holding a plank pose, can have a surprisingly powerful impact on my resilience, especially as I work through my own recovery. Whether I’m facing addiction, mental health challenges, or overcoming physical…
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The Forearm Plank : Simple Exercise for Fitness Gains
My recovery is a continuous journey and this simple yet powerful exercise routine plays a vital role in strengthening my mindset, keeping me focused and resilient every day. Holding a plank for two minutes as part of my daily routine does more than just build core strength, it reinforces my mental discipline and determination. Physically, this exercise activates my abs,…
