Taking the Weight off Mental Health #2

By James Alexander Join Me

I'm fundraising to Take The Weight Off Mental Health

My name is James Alexander,

On 4th December 2019 I was at my lowest and felt completely
lost, alone and misunderstood, I had never materialistically had so much but I'd never felt so poor. I was overwhelmed by depression and suicidal thoughts and unfortunately I attempted to take my own life at West Beach, South Australia.

I was lucky enough to have been unsuccessful and gain an immense amount of perspective while I got myself together, crying my eyes out and head home to face the music having to make some really hard/life changing decisions.

I have always been the guy who smiles and makes everyone else around me happy/laugh but never gave myself the same respect, always putting others first which seems selfless but was counterproductive to my mental health. 

Last year on 2nd Jan 2021 I created an event to raise funds for RUOK?. Taking The Weight Off Mental Health https://www.instagram.com/takingtheweightoffmentalhealth/  which saw me walk 81.4km with a 9kg weight vest on, this took 16.5hrs (the vest was symbolising the stigma that mental 
health has on someone suffering in silence) We as a community raised $7800 which was a massive feat but what has ben tremendous was the ripple effect it has created and now again
even further blown up on social media to create a space for people suffering!

I will be going one step further this time on 26/02/2022  I will be walking 90km from Goolwa, SA to Semaphore, SA which will take 21-23hrs including 4 programmed rest breaks. This year I have also increased my fundraising targets with the hopes to raise $20,000 for RUOK? (I invite anyone and everyone to join in, from the start to the finish and any amount of KM's in between, come walk to show your support to the cause and have a chat)

RUOK? have helped me so much and I want to use the dark experiences I have had to help other people who feel like I did on 4/12/19 but also using RUOK?s resources help educate
the communities we all live in to see the signs and check in with people they notice changes in.

THIS IS A TOGETHER PROJECT - WE AS A COLLECTIVE CAN CHANGE THE MENTAL HEALTH SPACE.

My Achievements

My Updates

BFT

Monday 17th Jan
Adelaide’s BIG 5 BFTs are jumping on and supporting the fundraising efforts! Collectively for every $1 donated by BFT members, the trainers/managers of each of our 5 studios will get together and complete 1 calorie on the ski erg or rower. 

Big thanks to everyone from our amazing communities at;

BFT GLEN OSMOND
BFT UNLEY
BFT BRIGHTON
BFT PORT ADELAIDE
BFT WEST LAKES

Threefold Distilling - Supporters

Saturday 3rd Jul
The 3 legends from Threefold Distilling (SA) have jumped on-board with incredible world winning award Gin packages for the event. 

I want to say a big thank you to Steve and the boys! Absolute legends!

Big Shed Brewing (SA) - Sponsors

Thursday 1st Jul
One of my favourite breweries in the world has jumped onboard and is donating stock and merch to sell at the fundraiser even with 100% of the money going to RUOK?

Thank you Matt and the great folks at Big Shed!

FitAid - Sponsors

Friday 25th Jun
The amazing team at FitAid (LifeAid BevCo) have joined in sponsoring the events with cartons of FitAid and Merch to sell for the fundraiser! 

Absolutely blessed for their support!

The Wod Life - Sponsors again!

Wednesday 23rd Jun
Huge ups to the amazing team at TWL, back to back event sponsorships, getting behind a very worthy cause 

The Shaka Project - Official Sponsor

Tuesday 22nd Jun
If you haven’t seen what The Shaka Project have done for the mental health space, please check out their socials & store ;-)

It’s an absolute honour to have these legends stand with and support me for this important cause!

Bunnings Warehouse Collingwood - Official Sponsor

Tuesday 22nd Jun
An absolute Aussie Icon getting behind me and the amazing cause, very grateful for their generous offer of a 4 burner BBQ to Auction for the trivia night!

True Protein - First Official Sponsor

Monday 21st Jun
Hey all,

True Protein is the first offical sponsor of the events I have started putting together, they have offered very generously, packs and prizes!

Thanks Guys!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$515

Jessica Crowley

Best of Luck James, Peter and the team, Bulk Nutrients is proud to support this great initiative.

$500

Happy Way (hien & Ben)

$313.20

Darren

Congratulations you’re all absolute legends! Well done :)

$300

Big 5 Owners

Love the BFT Boys…you’re an inspiration mate and very honoured to be able to play a small part in your journey.

$261

King Julien

$261

Jason Fantasia

Love ya mate. Couldn't be prouder!!!

$261

Dr. Jeya Sivendra

$261

Adam Diamanti

Love what you're doing mate. Wish I could have joined you!

$261

Michelle Daniel

So pleased Maddy was able to do this with you.

$250

Anne Borrillo

Awesome effort, awesome cause. Good Luck x

$172.26

Derek Milligan

Congrats on now hitting the $12K James!

$156.60

Gab Karas

Go James!! You are definitely shining the light on the significance of checking in on those around you and should feel empowered for sharing your story. Here’s to reducing the stigma!

$151.38

Anne Borrillo

Absolutely fantastic all round effort. Have to try get you to your goal. You and all those that walked with you should be very proud.

$150

Bft Brighton Workout

Legends at BFT Brighton workout (cash)

$130.50

Joey

Live what you’re doing xox

$105

Wolfe ?

💙💙💙

$104.40

Carl & Leni

Once you hit rock bottom- there is only one other way to go and that is up. Legend! 🤗

$104.40

Cath

Fucking legend! Smash those 90kms

$104.40

Brad And Kirst Cook

Rowey for 120 calories plz. Respect James! 💪 Top Shelf.

$104.40

Baxter Eckert

My boi ;)

$104.40

David Jolley

Good on ya Jimbo!

$104.40

Sam Daniel

$104.40

David &jane ?

$104.40

John

Love from the Nemes family!! Amazing work bro ❤️💙

$104.40

Millie Hall

On ya matey

$104.40

Kate M

$104.40

Kanti Yoga Pty Ltd

Good luck to James, Peter and the team. Great effort for a very important cause.

$104.40

Laura

It is great to be able to share and raise awareness around what can be a difficult topic.

$104.40

Toby Oakley

Good luck champion

$104.40

Frankie Morgan

$104.40

Petrah Harslett

I love that you're using exercise to support mental health :)

$104.40

Rebecca Linehan

Amazing work James, smash it!!!

$104.40

Belinda Krajina

$104.40

Britt Armstrong

So glad I met you. So proud of you ❤️

$104.40

Shanna

Good cause mate!

$104.40

Sahra Felice

$104.40

Scott Penhall

Well done and congratulations with your efforts and sharing your story.

$104.40

Dan And Sarah Shepherd

Good on you mate we're proud of you and miss your face

$104.40

Prime Build

$104.40

King Julien

Proud of you

$104.40

Kristofer Bergamaschi

$104.40

Fly By Fun

Well done lads !! Keep going!!! Luke, Isobel and the Fly By Fun Team.

$104.40

Anonymous

$104.40

Ashleigh F Smith

Your an Inspiration to so many keep on keeping on man you’re doing such an awesome job!!

$104.40

Steve The Bartender

$104.40

Ashleigh Schofield

$104.40

Vanessa Humble

Love and Respect ✊

$104.40

Ally Aoukar Dahdah

Such an inspiration! 👏🏼💪🏻

$104.40

Reece

$100

Kate Alexander

Amazing work homie, so proud of you! 🤍👊🏼

$100

Peter Krajina

Lets do this bro, I got your back, every step Lets Goooo!

$100

Amy Whyman

Onya big guy! So, so proud of what you’re doing in this space x

$100

Marka Krajina

From mark and Jess krajina. Enjoy your walk boys it’s for a great cause 👍🏻

$100

Jemma Westhoff

legend 🤍

$100

Victor Draghicescu

$100

Alex Tatler

Congratulations team!! Next level strength and character shown by all.

$78.30

Gregory Connelly / Paul Alexander

Very Proud of you James Love Dad and Greg

$75

Rach & Shane Moorfield

$72.04

Courtney Bosley

Smashing it boys!

$60

Chip Duncan

❤️

$52.20

Anonymous

$52.20

Nicholas Farley

Great job raising awareness mate! Hopefully sharing your experience, let’s people know they can also get through their tough times and it’s ok to reach out, when they’re feeling down. Looking forward to keeping up with your journey!

$52.20

Tereza Syso

A great cause mate!

$52.20

Sexy Beast

You’re a legend bro, much love you sexy beast!

$52.20

Oxonozzy

Great cause. Go James, you sexy beast.

$52.20

Georgie Mittiga

$52.20

Amber

So proud of you 🎉

$52.20

Anonymous

So proud of you James 🤍 Keep doing what you are doing for such an amazing cause!

$52.20

Maddy

Get it boy X

$52.20

Kels

Enjoy every one of those calories

$52.20

Jordan

$52.20

Anonymous

$52.20

Anonymous

Love you brother

$52.20

Osteopathic Movement

Keep shadow boxing those demons!

$52.20

Andy Hank

Great work legend

$52.20

Rich Duncan Jr

$52.20

Libby Rundle

Well done James! Such an incredible cause 🤍

$52.20

Timothy

$52.20

Shannon Bottrell

$52.20

Jackson And Sienna Tatler

$52.20

Kristi

🤝

$52.20

Tina F

$52.20

Sharyn Gogel

Good luck

$52.20

Julianne Price

$52.20

Anne

All the best for an amazing walk, hope the weather is kind to you

$52.20

Donna And Steve

Well done James and Meryka for your dedication to this cause. Good luck James. Dx

$52.20

Bec Kellow

$52.20

Carolyn Peterson

Amazing awareness you’re bringing to the fight against mental health! Well done x

$52.20

Simon Rodger

$52.20

Maaaarryyyyyy Moooorggggaaannnnn

$52.20

Justin T

Legend

$52.20

Chrysi Karagiannis

Keep up the great work James wishing all the best for the weekend xx

$52.20

Baxter Eckert

Legend, it it up boss 🙏🏽🙏🏽

$52.20

James & Gemma

$52.20

Liv, Craig, Jack & Alice

The friendship and support you boys have is an inspiration.

$52.20

Jaimie-lee & Matt Mccormack

Awesome work James!

$52.20

Thomas Allen

$52.20

Daniel & Tori

$52.20

Bek Clark

Great stuff!

$52.20

Courtney Quinn

Amazing job guys!

$52.20

Tom Densley

Keep pushing brother!

$52.20

Mia & Joey

What a guy! 🙌 Proud of you James.

$52.20

Jamie Van Dijk

Super proud of you James! Not long to go 💛

$52.20

Nicholas Maher

Congrats mate! You're doing such great work

$52.20

Kerri Monteiro

Amazing work Jimmy. We’re all so proud of you!

$52.20

Leanne

$52.20

Renee And Adrian Daniell

Awesome work mate!!

$52.20

Mel E

Proud of you!

$52.20

Anonymous

Well done!! Such an important fundraiser! 😊

$52.20

Sara Camarinha

You absolute legend James!! Thank you for what you've done, a tremendous effort for a fantastic cause. Well done 👏

$52.20

…..

$52.20

Andrew And Karli Dean

Mate -- you are an inspiration. Keep it up.

$52.20

Evelyn Deans

Well done. Hope your feet get better soon.

$52.20

Renee

Well done! Thanks for getting the message of awareness out there.

$52.20

Anonymous

$50

Alphafit

Happy to support such a great cause 🤙 Stay strong, Team AlphaFit

$50

M’lis Beinke

Go guys!

$50

Stephen Safralidis

$50

Elena Franco

👊🏽👊🏽

$50

Angus Shute

Send it today

$50

Courts And Reggie

Amazing effort for an absolutely worthy cause!! In the words of our friend Coral “that’s what it’s all about” 👍👍

$50

Adam Samuel

Amazing work James!

$50

Mayton Built

$40

Prue Zuidland

So proud of you xx

$31.32

Kaitlyn Galati

$31.32

Meg Bourke

$31.32

Carley Ackland

$30

Anonymous

$26.10

Meryka Alexander

Great job supporting RUOK? James

$26.10

Thomas Abbott

Proud of you mate. Doing big things and always offering support for everyone

$26.10

Luisa Dalle-molle

$26.10

Tori Ridgwell

Great work James! Love seeing what you’re doing for such a great cause!

$26.10

Jack Plenty

$26.10

Bree Alexander

😊 with you every step of the way

$26.10

J Kerin

Love your work . Doing Great things sharing your story ❤

$26.10

Riordan Welsh

$26.10

Charles Miller

Happy to help from the sexy beast tribe.

$26.10

Anonymous

$26.10

Lauren Brown

$26.10

Shannon Barker

Go legend!!!

$26.10

Kaylah Kopsaftis

$26.10

Tony Fathers

Good luck

$26.10

Kate B

Such great and important work you are doing James! All the best for the tough challenge!

$26.10

David Brammy

$26.10

Nicole

$26.10

Derek Milligan

$26.10

Tom Marshall

Sorry its not more 👶 cost heaps 🤣

$26.10

Chloe Edwards

you’re gonna smash this!! 👊👊

$26.10

Sarah Falcione

$26.10

Michelle Power

You’ve got this 👏

$26.10

Vanessa

BFT fam ♥️

$26.10

Kim Messer

Glad you’re still here and thank you for raising money

$26.10

Annabel Thomas

Amazing work, best of luck!!

$26.10

Sophie Di Fabio

$26.10

Alexandra Stockley

$26.10

Michele And Steve Jenkins

Great work James and good luck

$26.10

Jason Montesin

$26.10

Anonymous

$26.10

Annette Zuidland

$26.10

Isabella Middleton

$26.10

Laura Thomas

$26.10

Lauren Fletcher-rees

$26.10

Chris

$26.10

B.

Get ettt boii!!

$26.10

Roseanne Salerno

$26.10

Jess Kennedy

Well done guys, so proud of you all!

$26.10

Deanna Efstathiadis

$26.10

Daniel Corcoran

So very proud of your efforts mate. The worlds a much better place with you in it mate. Rest up!

$26.10

Anna

$25

James Alexander

$25

Dan Abdoo

Go big

$25

Caitlin Belgrove

$25

Lauren Bowman

BFT

$25

Anonymous

$25

Andrew Clark-ind

Well done James. What a massive impact you are making to so many people

$25

Madi Baird

$25

Lisa Zollo

$25

April

Nice work James. You are doing great things. Take care.

$20.88

Georgie Mittiga

$20.88

Emily O

How good James! Such an important cause. 🙌

$20.88

Ali Ridgwell-coad

The world is an better place with you in it James. This is a wonderful cause and organisation. Being one of Thin Blue Line Family I appreciate how vital mental health is and the support networks and organisations are. I am sure you, Peter and all participants will smash it.

$20.88

Jp Christal

Get after it mate.

$20.88

Alex Prior

Awesome stuff!

$20.88

Meg Fitzpatrick

$20.88

Tom O'flaherty

Good on ya James!

$20.88

Marie Floridis

Amazing effort for a great cause. Legend.

$20.88

David Pedro

JIMMY

$20.88

Maggie De Laine

You’re doing great things!

$10.44

-

$10.44

Nat Sherratt

All the best

$10.44

Chris Royals

$10.44

Maddie Mcdonald

$10.44

Georgia Darcy

$10.44

Sean O'hara

$10.44

Rosie Daly

$10.44

Leesa Scanlan

Amazing work! Thanks for being a voice for mental health you’re inspiring more people than you know.

$10.44

Anonymous

$10.44

Deb Richardson

$10.44

Sam Teisseire

Always believe

$10.44

Julie D

❤️

$10

Alex Gillett

Great work legend

$10

Anonymous

$10

Matni Kenny

$2.09

Anonymous

My Team Members