Travel Play Live Issue #8

Travel Play Live

AU $12.95

ISSUE #8 Winter 2017

The Women’s Adventure Lifestyle Magazine

AU $12.95 ISSUE 8 ISSN 2206 - 4117

ADVENTURE

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EMPOWER

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INSPIRE

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DREAM

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CHANGE

AUGUST 31ST - 3RD SEPTEMBER

CONNECT UNLEASH EQUIP and Surprise Yourself

The Travel Play Live Women's Adventure Summit a ‘build your own adventure’ mammoth long weekend in the stunning Great Lakes on the Mid North Coast of NSW. www.travelplaylive.com.au/womens-adventure-summit Tickets available on Eventbrite Proudly Supported By:

ISSUE #8

2018 TRAVEL PLAY LIVE

WOMEN’S ADVENTURE GRANT

Supporting Epic Women and their adventures Letter from the Editor As you know, Travel Play Live is Australia's First Women's Adventure Lifestyle Magazine, and we are dedicated to supporting a movement of adventurous women. Our dream is to connect the expanding women's adventure and travel community, and make adventure accessible and inclusive for women of all ages, shapes, abilities and also their families.

Not only do we want to share the stories of Australia's amazing women, but Travel Play Live also wants to actively support them as well.

We are excited to announce that we are officially launching the Travel Play Live Women's, Adventure Grant.

Before we say anymore though, it's been the relationship with two other companies - both equally passionate about women's adventure that has helped get this off the ground.

Jemima Robinson from Dirty Girls Adventure Film Tour and Richard Old from Fully Rad Adventures, both 100% on board & kicking this off in a big way, with Fully Rad putting in the first $5000 to kick of the funds.

Make sure you follow us on social media for updates on how you can get involved in helping us support Epic Women and their Adventures.

We also have our Women's Adventure Summit in August, and it is shaping up to be a phenomenal event helping women to connect, equip and surprise themselves. You can read all about in on pages 48 – 53. We hope to see you there.

CONNECT WITH US

www.travelplaylive.com.au @travelplaylivemagazine FOUNDER + CHIEF EDITOR.

Amy Heague amy@travelplaylive.com.au FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF ADVENTURE.

Kerryann Hayes kez@travelplaylive.com.au DIGITAL EDITOR.

Hadassa Haack hadassa@travelplaylive.com.au NEW COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVERTISING.

Lindsay Reed lindsay@themediahut.com.au + 61 431 956 645 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS.

Lucy Stone, Alice King CREATIVE.

Joey Dable Two Minds Creative TPL PHOTOGRAPHY & COVER IMAGE.

Ben Cirulis www.fotografija.com.au SUSBSCRIPTIONS.

subscriptions@travelplaylive.com.au +61 2 8227 6486

Copyright TPL Publishing PTY LTD 2015. No part of this publication may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publishers. DISCLAIMER: A large portion of original material is created by TPL Publishing and its contributors, including text, fonts, photography, and art work - content used from public domain like social media sites we agree are not the property of TPL Publishing, and in all cases media permission has been sought via electronic or verbal agreement.

The content and views expressed in this magazine by individuals and TPL Publishing are provided in good faith as information only.

No guarantee is made of the accuracy of the information provided. We have done our best to credit all photographers. In some instances photos have been provided to us by those who appear editorially and we have their permission to use the images. We apologise if anything appears incorrectly. It will be a genuine mistake, let us know and we will ensure to mention it in the next issue.

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THANKS TO THE TPL TEAM.

Monique Bortoli, Sue Goodison, Kristie Stark

This Issues

CONTRIBUTORS. Head to our website to meet our growing list of contributors pioneering Australian Women's Adventure.

Leah Gilbert

Hanny Allston

Kerith Duncanson

Michelle Lawford

Kate Duncan

Sputnik

Lucy Stone

Caro Ryan

Kemi Nekvapil

Jane Grover

Alice King

Jen Brown

www.travelplaylive.com.au/contributors Would you like to write for Travel Play Live? Perhaps you have a story to share?

We are looking to partner with writers and bloggers across a variety of adventure and travel disciplines. Maybe you are a brand looking to get your product or destination reviewed? Contact us with your details and a sample of your work (or wares) and we will get back to you if we feel there is a good fit. submissions@travelplaylive.com.au

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SUBSCRIBE &

JOIN THE BECOME A ADVENTURE PIONEERING ADVENTURESS

There is no telling what kind of misadventures you might get up to while trying to get your hands on future copies of Travel Play Live Magazine, so let us take the worry out of your adventure by offering you this yearly subscription deal! Subscribe and go in the draw to win some great prizes. Details on page 95.

SUBSCRIBE AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE For just $48 + P&H That’s four beautifully inspiring, empowering and adventurous copies of our magazine delivered to your door full of great seasonal ideas to inspire you to travel, play, live! Digital subscription now available - details on the website.

Head to our website www.travelplaylive.com.au/subscribe or call our subscription team on

Travel Play Live magazine

+61 2 82276486 *International Options Available

www.travelplaylive.com.au

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just

$48 + P&H

c ontents

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THE MAGIC OF ADVENTURE Kemi Nekvapil shares her personal insight on sport and aventure

BEWARE OF THE SUMMIT SYNDROME

14 CONQUERING FEAR

The value of your own race and exceeding your own expectations

Suddenly, with only three months to go, I was faced with a choice - have the surgery or cancel the trip.

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MENTAL, PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL?

THE HEART PROJECT

BLAZING A NEW TRAIL

On a wet, misty day in the Blue Mountains, a woman in a wheelchair and a young boy are suspended off the side of a cliff.

The OXFAM Trailwalker

How much of an endurance challenge is mental or physical?

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THE INVISIBLE WEIGHT

THE VELOROOS

You may be thinking “what have I got myself into?”

No matter what I did, thought, or what strategy I applied, I just couldn’t finish off the last five minutes of my runs.

Race Around Ireland Record Attempt

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WILDS PHILOSOPHY

WOMEN'S ADVENTURE SUMMIT

and the Art of the Summit

PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST TEAM TREKKING

Wear / Inspire / Look / Divert / Simplify

A ‘build your own adventure’ three day mammoth weekend in the stunning Great Lakes on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

ZEN

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Tropical North Queensland

WOMEN OF THE FOREST

GIRLS OWN ADVENTURE

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GIRLS WEEKEND

DON'T DIE WONDERING

MANAGING MOUNTAINOUS MUNCHIES

56 WINTER ESCAPE

Rapha Women’s Prestige Hunter Valley

Riding across Australia on our greatest adventure yet.

Reading for you and your girls

READ MORE Head over to our website to for bonus content, competitions and previous articles www.travelplaylive.com.au

STAY CONNECTED We love to hear from you, so be sure to tell us all about your travels and adventures.

Contact us at hello@travelplaylive.com.au Share your photos with us on Instagram by using #travelplaylive for your chance to feature.

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"Adventure and travel are a huge part of the fabric that binds our family!"

Kate Ridell with her children Hautacam Pyrenees France.

Winner of the Keen to Get Outdoors Photo Competition

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THE

magic

OF

WITH KEMI NEKVAPIL As a young girl, I was the only one in my class who could not do a handstand. When it came to cross-country, I was one of those who would pretend to run as I passed the teacher and then slow back down to a dawdle when I had passed her.

What I learned about sport and adventure was that if you are not a winner, not in the top three, not a podium placer, then you had already failed.

After the birth of my second child, I had a reoccurring issue with the alignment of my right hip and I was told by my personal trainer, that I should never runthe repetitiveness of running would do terrible damage. Nothing like a bit of fear to stop a woman in her tracks.

He was a well-meaning man and a wonderful trainer and I think because of this I was willing to take his word as the truth.

“He thinks I should never run, so I will never run. That is the end of it.”

I stuck to training at the gym and yoga and that was enough; until it wasn’t.

During my ongoing personal-development journey and life-coach training, I have had the opportunity to explore my own limiting beliefs, to stretch into the places I have closed down.

Exploring the things we believe about ourselves that limit who we can be in the world, for ourselves and for others, is not always an easy journey. It is an incredible opportunity, because we have no idea who we will become on the journey.

One day, the urge to run came back. I decided that I really wanted to run or I at least wanted to explore whether I actually could.

So I took myself off to see a female physiotherapist who specialized in women’s bodies and rehabilitation. I figured it was

women’s business this time.

As I sat in the waiting room, I looked at her client list- Melbourne Storm, The Vixens and other professional athletes and I suddenly had an epiphany. I realised that now I was going to be asking her for permission to run, just like I had done with my personal trainer.

These professional athletes did their jobs while injured and challenged by physical limitations all the time; this did not stop them from doing what they loved.

By the time I had reached the physio room, I had a completely different view on what I wanted. She asked me why I was there, and I said, “I want to run a half-marathon in 4 months’ time. I will do whatever you tell me to do, so that I can run and pull up well post-race.”

That was the beginning of me owning my journey with adventure; that was when I gave myself permission to run.

I trained well, I did all the exercises I was prescribed and I loved every moment of my first half marathon. Well, nearly every moment.

I took up endurance running at thirty-seven and I have been happily running for six years. This has included numerous half-marathons, four marathons, one 50km and one 100km race.

In that time, I have also trekked three of Australia’s most beautiful multi-day hikes, zip-lined thousands of metres above the forest in Vancouver, swum with manta rays, zip-lined across a cruise ship, gone

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rock-climbing and kayaking, travelled around Australia in a caravan with my family for a year and taken horse-riding lessons.

There is no way that I ever thought I could or would do any of those things: I am not a confident swimmer, deep water scares me, I get nervous at heights, I am a home body and horses scare me.

None of these adventures was ever going to happen in my previous state of mind.

But, I believe that once we do one thing we did not think we could do, we open up a whole world of possibilities that we had previously closed off to ourselves.

Adventure does not start on the mountain or in the ocean, adventure starts with our willingness to say, “I want to try. I am scared. I have fears. But I want to try.”

Wanting to try is the foundation for living a fulfilling life. The wanting opens us up.

I was living in the world of "I don't do that." "That's not me." "I can't" As soon as I shifted my mindset to "I want to give it a try”, a whole new world of adventure opened up to me. But the true magic, the priceless gift, is the world that opened up inside of me.

I am honoured to be speaking and facilitating a workshop at the Women's Adventure Summit. Every woman who has said yes to herself to be there is opening up another world inside of herself and that world will involve every single one of us.

What a privilege.

summit

syndrome Beware of

WRITTEN BY; SPUTNIK

Anyone who knows me knows I’m rarely lost for words. But for this issue, I really struggled. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I wasn’t sure if I should say it. You see, I’m a bloke. And white. And privileged. Which means these days, pretty much everything that comes out of my mouth makes me the target of ‘White Male Privilege’ criticisms. Which, apparently, means I’m mostly only allowed to comment on things that affect straight, white males in the western world, for fear of being told I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. Or worse.

Alas, following rules has never been my forte so I’m going to come right out and say it. I love that women are staking their claim in the adventure space. I love that women are making progress in all sorts of areas actually. I know we’re still a long way from true ‘equality’, but for the most part, women can be anything they want to be. Astronauts. Taxi drivers. CEOs. Adventure guides. Prime Ministers. The list goes on. But there’s one thing I really hope women won’t ever be… and that’s men. I’m not talking gender reassignment. If that’s your thing, more power to you I say. No, I’m talking about some of the less favourable characteristics usually associated with the male of the species. Although, to be fair, I’m talking about any human that demonstrates these characteristics.

times. Was pretty satisfied with the achievement. But can I honestly say I enjoyed very much about it? Not really. Now when I go for a 10 or 20km run, I really enjoy that. A lot. I don't have to worry about muscle meltdown, chafing in places you don’t want to be chafed, kidney failure or being rescued by helicopter - that one time was one time too many thanks very much. But that classic male ego part of me said I was supposed to keep pushing. Doing more. Going further. And my ego wasn't the only one saying it. So were some of my well intentioned mates. Well bugger that. These days, my personal summits aren’t summits. They’re more like base camps. And that’s just fine with me. I refuse to fall victim to what I’m going to call ‘Summit Syndrome’.

Let me explain. In my last book I wrote a section about “just” and “only”. My background is in trail running so naturally I started out relatively modestly then worked my way up to ultra.

Next stop: 100kms. And after that the natural progression was the mythical ‘miler’ - a 100 mile race. But somewhere along the way, something kind of weird happened. I realised I didn’t really enjoy running 100kms all that much. Did it a couple of

My days of getting sucked into the black hole of “only” running 20kms are done. I’m not going to feel less than for “just” running the 50km race for crying out loud. Just because there’s a longer distance, or a more difficult race, or a bigger adventure, in no way at all devalues my own. Mine is mine.

Yours is yours. Simple as that.

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deal with. I just completed my first adventure race and it took me months to have the conviction to “only” do the half distance, even though it was clearly the best, smartest, wisest decision for me to make for all sorts of reasons. I’m all for redefining crazy, one of my personal mottos, but doing the full distance, reaching for that particular summit, would have been genuinely stupid.

And possibly dangerous. So I didn’t do it. What I’ve been seeing lately is an increasing amount of people, women included, who are DNFing races. Whether it’s their own personal drive, or a bit of good old ‘support’ (AKA per pressure) from those around them, I’m not sure. But I do wonder if there’s a bit of what I’m going to call 'destructive encouragement' going around, pushing people on to peaks they have no real personal desire to bag.

Of course, I’m well aware none of this is for me to say. I can only speak for myself. I’m sure many of you are pushing on, doing exactly what you want to do, regardless of those around you. As a bloke though, I know I’m constantly hit by a barrage of what people think I should and shouldn’t be doing.

My ‘Summit Syndrome’. And it’s been really difficult for me personally to draw the line. And based on a few conversations I’ve had lately with others, I have a sneaking suspicion it’s something that’s very much starting to happen on your side of the fence as well.

Hell, David Turnbull recently broke the FKT for the Heysen Trail in South Australia. Ran 1200kms in less than 14 days. Then uploaded his Strava data showing he was equal 4th in the world for most kilometres run that month with two days still to go. Rather than be satisfied with that, an amazing feat in itself, there was then a whole conversation with people egging him

So by all means, be adventurous. Be awesome. Be determined.

Be strong. Be daring. Be committed. Be what you want to be.

But for crying out loud, please, please don’t be a stubborn, pig headed 'man' and get sucked into that sort of bullshit competitive one-upmanship. Define your own summits. Even if they’re more like other people’s base camps.

Just because there’s a longer distance, or a more difficult race, or a bigger adventure, in no way at all devalues my own. Mine is mine. Yours is yours.

Simple as that.

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on to run a little further to move up the rankings. Since when was running 1200kms in a month not enough? Where were the people just celebrating that achievement without there needing to be more miles run to bag another summit?

Or maybe I’ve just gone soft in my old age?

Conquering

FEAR

Vaccinations - check. Photography gear - check. After months of careful planning for my trip to East Africa, I thought I was 100% ready. An emergency hysterectomy had certainly not been on my last minute list of things to do! Suddenly, with only three months to go, I was faced with a choice - have the surgery or cancel the trip.

BY MICHELLE LAWFORD

While my mind had been busy planning every detail of my African safari, my body had been silently betraying me. When you wake up one morning with your uterus and bladder between your legs, it’s hard to ignore! I knew I couldn’t bounce around in a jeep for a month like that. More to the point, I definitely didn’t want to drop my bundle in the middle of the Serengeti. Why was this happening now? Ok, at 57, I’m in the age group where these things can happen, but why now?

It was May. If I had the surgery straight away, it would be a six -week recovery period before I could start to regain my fitness and then I had six weeks to train for the gorilla trekking in Uganda in late July. Cancelling the trip was never an option. I just had to go for it.

The doctor was explaining that after surgery, gravity would be my enemy and there was to be no high impact exercise. He cautioned me about not rushing into things like fast walking, driving or pushing a trolley at the supermarket. When I asked him how soon I could start to train for two six-hour treks up a mountain to get to gorillas, he looked at me sternly and said, “I will do the surgery but the recovery is in your hands.” Ok, so maybe I wouldn’t be as fit as I would have liked to have been but at least I wouldn’t be

dragging my uterus up the mountain in a carry bag with my zoom lens.

The whole gravity problem, not to mention my unmentionables, was really dragging me down.

People often ask me if I ever get frightened photographing wild animals. The answer is “no”. I have stood next to black bears while they fished for salmon. I have urinated under a tree that had just been used by a polar bear for the same reason.

I have remained absolutely still while wild horses galloped straight towards me. I have been eight hours out on the arctic ice. My thermal underwear slid up my arm, causing a small slither of my wrist to get so cold, I thought I would faint, but I stood my ground.

No, being out in the wild doesn’t scare me. What really terrifies me is surgery. Just how much it scared me only really surfaced when the prospect of immediate surgery suddenly brought back a tangled mass of childhood medical trauma. Getting out of the way of stampeding hippos was surely easier than evading flashbacks and body memories.

I think part of why I love adventure and physical challenge so much, is to prove that I’m strong and I’m not afraid. As a child, my fragile little body was subjected to many frightening things and somewhere

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along the way I think I decided that as an adult, I would never be afraid.

After years of childhood illness, surgeries and invasive interventions, as a teenager, I was still considered by my family to be a sickly child.

That’s not how I saw myself. So I trekked mountains in Nepal and the Andes and swam with whale sharks and laughed as I was chased down a road by a hungry coyote but inside, I was still a frightened little girl. Not frightened of animals or physical challenge. I was scared of people.

Doctors and nurses. Now it didn’t seem to matter how adventurous I was. Sure, I wasn’t a bit afraid of hiking through prime grizzly country but if I couldn’t even face a routine surgery, had I ever really overcome my past?

The night before my surgery, I packed a small bag and submitted my latest piece for Travel Play Live. I didn’t know what state I would be in for a while and the next issue would be going to print soon. Even as I emailed off the piece, I had a feeling that what I was going through was actually the bigger story.

Arriving at the Royal Hospital for Women was weird. Wasn’t it only yesterday I had come here to have my babies? Now I was here for an old lady hysterectomy. The circle of life. One minute you’re a fertility goddess and the next you’re in for

removal of used parts. Lovely. To add a final irony to the whole saga, my daughter (now 21), who I carried home from this place in a tiny pale pink singlet that I still have carefully folded away with her baby things, would be driving me home when I was discharged a few days later.

Thanks to three emergency sessions of EMDR, I was able to face hospital as a calm adult instead of a terrified child. Rather than unravelling me, the experience has been uplifting.

I think our emotional agility and fragility is connected to our innate craving for adventure. Nature is that life-affirming antidote that gets crushed by the vicissitudes of everyday ordinariness. In some way, I think overcoming childhood trauma is a bit like going hiking or kayaking. It’s about tuning in to ourselves and finding out what we need to feel alive and what is causing us to feel dead, lost or afraid. Telling someone who is terrified that “everything will be just fine” is like telling someone who craves adventure “ you don’t have the time or the money”.

It’s not helpful.

The white noise of everyday existence removes us from our atavistic desires and fears, while distancing us from our natural habitat. In our houses, apartments, office blocks and shopping centres are we like other animals making the best of a welldesigned zoo? In the wild, I believe we are more open, more ready for what might be around the next bend. Venturing into the wild is easier than venturing into the jungles and swamps of the mind. Perhaps the wild can even become a place of refuge from all that we seek to avoid and deny. Exploring, navigating, overcoming and conquering are all activities of the mind, body and spirit. When we are free to roam the wild, the adventurer and sufferer can both find strength and tranquillity.

The moral of the story? Face your fears, take risks and for goodness sake ladies, do those pelvic floor exercises!

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endurance CHALLENGES of the mind, body & spirit

STORY BY HANNY ALLSTON

How much of an endurance challenge is mental or physical? I have always been at a loss for an appropriate response and find myself grabbing at random numbers. Seventy percent physical, thirty percent mental? Or should this be fifty-fifty? Just days away from the my first 100km trail running event, I can now respond with more conviction.

Breaking down any endurance challenge into only mental and physical components is over simplified. Right now I can testify that there is a huge emotional element to endurance performance too and I believe that we often overlook the incredible power that our emotions hold over us. This begs the question - are we putting enough emphasis on emotional intelligence as we strive to succeed in endurance challenges?

But what is success when it comes to endurance? For me now, success defines my willingness to sit on the edge, to lean in to the discomfort that is inevitable and to accept whatever the outcome. Conversely, to fail is not a failure to reach the summit but to shy away from this discomfort and seek an easier way out. Therefore, success is not a result that I find on the finish line but rather an experience I undertake during the journey to the summit.

During a recent Find Your Feet Podcast episode with Dr Clive Stack, we found ourselves discussing the concept of fear, especially in relation to my impending run at Ultra Trail Australia. Dr Stack has devoted his expertise to researching human emotions and the purposes these serve. He has come to believe that fear highlights a moment when things are about to change for the better and that instead of running from fear we should lean into these moments, finding courage to strive for another week, day, hour or even minute until we finally break through to the other side where empowerment, personal growth and success lie. So, when intimidation has us withdrawing into ourselves and self-doubt wakes us at 5am in the morning… that is when we must disregard our fear and crawl to the edge. In this moment of self-doubt we need to have faith to lean in.

So what stops us from perching on the edge of our comfort zone? I see this ‘edge’ as the point at which success and failure merge and where some of our greatest self-growth occurs? As I prepare for tomorrow’s daunting 100km run, undeniably what has me begging to step back from this edge is fear. For me, fear normally kicks in during the last few weeks as the big day approaches. It replaces my sense of control and focus, leaving me filled with self-doubt and the inevitable question, ‘why on earth am I doing this?!’

I think too often we set a goal and then focus on our physical and occasionally our mental preparedness. But I firmly believe we need uncomfortable experiences to foster emotional resilience. Emotional preparedness comes from experiences that hold us in a space beyond our comfort zone. I find my greatest strength when I am active outdoors in a foreign location or immersed in the elements. During the depths of my 100km, when the sun sets and I am alone on the course, I know that I will not be relying so much on my physical fitness

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but rather I will be drawing strength from past adventures and the tougher moments in life that I have experienced.

As we strive for new summits, I implore us all to begin acknowledging the presence of our emotions and the role they play as we near ‘the edge’. If we are able to accept their involvement then we will be less surprised as emotions emerge, especially during those critical last weeks or when we are digging deep on ‘summit day’. If you are experiencing fear, hold tight for another day, hour or even minute.

For things are about to change for the better.

Back yourself. Trust yourself. Take faith in your preparation but especially in the moments when you have been physically, mentally & emotionally challenged.

In summary, I truly believe that fear and emotional turmoil will be intricately involved in any preparation when we strive towards new summits. After all, we seek these hefty challenges as an opportunity to grow, learn and frighten ourselves a little. I know that my 100km run through the Blue Mountains will be an intricate blend of physical, mental and emotional resilience. And if that fails me, then perhaps it will become a spiritual experience as I pray to the gods for the finish line!

Listen to Dr Clive Stack on the Find Your Feet Podcast: findyourfeet.com.au/pages/dr-clivestack

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THINGS WE ARE LOVING

THIS WINTER Video may have killed the radio star, but Podcasts are clawing back the airwaves and there are some fantastic ones out there. No matter your interests, there is something out there for just about everyone, here are some of our favourites.

FIND YOUR FEET PODCAST HOSTED BY HANNY ALLSTON

Hanny Allston has been a World Orienteering Champion and is record holder of many famous trail running races in Australia. However, her heart lies in wild places, and she strongly feels that competitions are only one small way to experience new places and to challenge yourself.

The newly launched Find Your Feet Podcast, hosted by Hanny, digs deep into the lives

of inspirational individuals striving hard to find their feet and live a rich, purposeful life. From athletes to artists, adventurers to entrepreneurs, scientists to everyday people embarking on huge adventures, their powerful messages and stories provide insight and an avenue for your own selfexploration for a meaningful life, and to help you Find Your Feet in whatever dreams you dare to dream.

You can find it on iTunes or SoundCloud

SPARTA CHICKS RADIO HOSTED BY JEN BROWN Sparta Chicks Radio is podcast hosted by Trail Running and Triathlon Coach Jen Brown that shares inspiring stories, coupled with practical tried-and-tested-in-the-real-world advice.

From world-class athletes, experts in the 'Imposter Complex' to everyday women chasing their dreams, we discuss the realities of living with fear and self-doubt,

GIRLS CAN DO SCARY THINGS TOO HOSTED BY ALYSSA AZAR “I know as young girls and women we can sometimes be convinced that we shouldn’t do scary things, but deep down inside we know we’re just as capable as the boys when it comes to doing scary things. It can often be society, the people around us, that make us feel otherwise. In fact the name of the podcast came from the a quote from a Grade Three student who said in a letter after I spoken at her school ‘You taught us that girls can do scary things too.’

I thought that was pretty cool, the fact that I had made her think that way. At the same time I found it a little sad as she was already being filled with the belief that girls can’t do scary things, and she was only 8 or 9 years old.

The aim of the podcast is to highlight the story of girls and women, of any age, that have done cool things and overcome challenges, or maybe they just have a cool story to tell."

Coming soon to iTunes check our Alyssa’s website for details www.alyssaazar.com.au

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making brave choices, chasing your dreams despite your fear and living life on your terms. Recent guests have included Olympic Gold Medalist in beach volleyball Natalie Cook and Trail Runner, owner of Find Your Feet and Travel Play Live contributor Hanny Allston. www.spartachicks.com/radio

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STAY WARM Layer Upon Layer

Whether you’re on the mountain or on the trails, early or late, day or night, even fast or slow, ioMerino is absolutely epic for adventuring and helps you stay ready for anything. We’re mostly blessed with beautiful sunny weather, but get our fair share of cold mornings/nights and days, especially during winter. We certainly don’t let that stop us from getting out there and doing all of the things we love – after all, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!

ULTRA ZIP TOP The latest ‘Ultra’ range from ioMerino is 'Ultra Everything’. Made from their latest and greatest Merino+ fabric it’s the perfect high performance garment for the outdoors.

Just right for all sorts of high intensity activities and adventures and features a streamlined ‘sport' fit.

RRP $110.00

ALTITUDE PINK CREW ioMerino’s best selling Altitude range comes in T-shirts, long sleeve tops and 3/4 zips. 96% superfine Australian Merino makes it naturally better.

RRP $90.00

GLOVES The latest addition to their Altitude range.

Same amazing superfine Merino fabric as the rest of the range. Wear them on their own, or as inners under ski gloves.

RRP $45.00

CHASER LEGGINGS SOUTHERN CROSS TIGHTS

NECK TUBE

There are certainly fancier looking tights on the market, but if it’s natural, breathable, comfortable and warm that you want, you can’t go past these.

When the temperature drops beyond any sensible level of cold, these thicker, warmer leggings are going to be the only thing that stands between you and Mother Nature.

RRP $105.00

The ultimate accessory for the outdoors - wear it any way you like. Thermoregulating and even anti-freeze so no matter how cold or wet the weather gets, it will keep you warm.

RRP $25.00

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Photography by Benjamin Von Wong www.vonwong.com Travel Play Live 022

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heART P R O J E C T

On a wet, misty day in the Blue Mountains, a woman in a wheelchair and a young boy are suspended off the side of a cliff. The woman is Sarah-Jane Staszak, and the boy is her eight-year-old son, Hamish. With them are two photographers, and a host of volunteers organising the rope rigging, lighting systems, cameras.

WRITTEN BY LUCY STONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENJAMIN VON WONG, KAREN ALSOP & COURTNEY HOLMES

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arlier this year, Melbourne-based photographer Karen Alsop approached Staszak to ask if she would be interested in participating in Alsop’s collaborative enterprise, the heART Project. The project is an initiative between Alsop, producer Adam Cubito, and other photographers, artists and creatives, designed to bring joy and inspiration to families who have suffered hardship.

Alsop was working with renown American photographer Benjamin Von Wong on the next project, knowing he had only a few short days in Australia to shoot. “We were collaborating with Von Wong and actually looking for someone that we could do the next heART project for,” Alsop said. “But we needed to find the right person … and it was actually through Von Wong talking to the [Blue Mountains Adventure Company] that they mentioned Sarah Jane and told him her story.”

Through it all, Staszak said her focus was always on ensuring Hamish was free to enjoy adventures with her, fostering the connection between mother and son. “When things like [the heART project] come up, opportunities for me and Hamish to do stuff together, I can’t get enough of it,” she said. The project turned into four days of intensive photography – two days on a clifftop in the Blue Mountains, as Von Wong created an entire alternate reality, followed by two days in a studio with Alsop.

As an outdoor adventurer,

The project turned into four days of intensive photography – two days on a clifftop in the Blue Mountains, as Von Wong created an entire alternate reality, followed by two days in a studio with Alsop.

Staszak said when Alsop asked her to take part, it was an ideal chance for her to create a new adventure with Hamish. “As a mother I really had this great aspiration to be pioneering some of his great expeditions and exciting trips with him,” Staszak said. “When I became very disabled about three and a half years ago that was one of my biggest griefs.”

More than three years ago, the outdoor adventurer and guide awoke from routine back surgery to discover she could not move. Since then quadriplegia has become the normal routine of Staszak’s life. She has combatted the challenges of deep depression, of adjusting to a different life, and the impacts it has on Hamish.

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Staszak said it was the indoor studio work that she most enjoyed.

“It was just so cool watching Karen work and then for us to see back on her little laptop what she’d just done and what she’s trying to create,” she said. “That’s something I’ve not been a part of before …

Hamish and I got to do a little bit of acting which was pretty funny.”

For Alsop, the project was particularly poignant as she could place herself in Staszak’s shoes and imagine what it would be like to endure such a sharp

left-turn in life. “I’m also a mum, I’ve got a six-year-old and a five-year-old,” Alsop said. “I really connected with SJ’s story because it could’ve been me, any one of us could’ve gone into hospital, come out a quadriplegic and woken up and not been able to hug our own child. “And that was why showing that relationship between the two of them, and the way that they’re still moving forward together, was really important.”

As a photographer Alsop straddles the divide between reality and art, storytelling and snapshotting a moment in time. The adventure theme runs through all the images created by both

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Photography by Karen Alsop www.storyart.com.au 026

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Photography by Benjamin Von Wong www.vonwong.com

Photography by Karen Alsop www.storyart.com.au

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Alsop and Von Wong, telling part of Staszak’s story, but also telling the story of close ties of support and love between Staszak and her son. “It’s really very important to make sure that the images are about them and are meaningful to the people that we do them for,” Alsop said.

“It was a matter of finding out from SJ, what do she and Hamish like to do together, what are their favourite movies – all those kinds of questions that I ask and that helps me put together the project in a way that would suit her.

So coming up with that adventure theme … showcasing both that Hamish is someone that looks after his mum -but also that his mum is still looking after him.”

Suspended over the cliff edge, surrounded by volunteers and new friends, for Staszak the key part of the project was the chance to enjoy a new adventure with Hamish. “I wouldn’t have been that interested if it had just been me – I’m the mother of one child and that’s the most important thing for me, really making the most of the time we have together,” Staszak said. “I’ve got to be as creative as possible to create what I consider to be learning time, bonding time, connections [with Hamish]. “The beautiful thing was after the shoot we were lying in bed and having a cuddle and he said … ‘Mum, you’re the most awesome lady in the whole world’. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

In the images, Staszak leaves the confines of the wheelchair, both leading and following Hamish into new worlds, leaping across a cliff, racing down a train tunnel.

Staszak noted the irony of the images that set her free in a world where daily life can be limited by such minor things as a single step.

“These pictures portray me accessing these fantastical places … but I go out to get a cup of coffee at my local coffee shop and I can’t get in there,” she said. “Put that in perspective! One step – one step – is preventing me from

accessing what everybody else can access. “I’ve spent my life accessing parts of the world that only few people often access because of my adventures, so there’s real paradox now.”

As part of the project, a GoFundMe was created to help Staszak raise money for her home town in the Blue Mountains, with the idea of helping shops buy or build easy access ramps – not just for people in wheelchairs, but for the elderly and people with prams as well. “You cannot believe that it’s just one step on pretty much every shopfront that stops you from going inside,” Staszak said.

Alsop’s focus for the heART Project is creating community change,

The beautiful thing was after the shoot we were lying in bed and having a cuddle and he said ‘Mum, you’re the most awesome lady in the whole world’.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

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not just for the people featured in the images, but in the volunteers who join the project, the family and friends around her subjects, and the wider community. Presenting the final images to Staszak and Hamish, Alsop flew up to Sydney to be there in person, Skyping in Von Wong from America. “Just seeing their reaction and how amazed and how special it was for both of them was great and really well worth it,” Alsop said. And for

Staszak, four days of stepping outside the comfort zone, hand in hand with Hamish, will always be remembered.

“It was a few days, and the moment was captured and the moment is gone -- but in that moment, it was awesome,” she said.

“We’re going to have to dig deep and try and create some other really cool moments.”

For more details on the heART Project visit www.theheartproject.com.au See more from the amazing Photographers: Karen Alsop www.storyart.com.au Benjamin Von Wong www.vonwong.com Behind the scenes photographer: Courtney Holmes www.courtneyholmes.com.au

MAKE A DONATION To donate to Staszak’s campaign for easy access ramps in the Blue Mountains, visit www.gofundme.com/sarahjanestaszak

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Photo Credit: Jason Malouin

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oxfam

T R A I L W A L K E R

B L A Z I N G

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S T ORY BY C A RO RYA N

Some days it feels like you can’t get to midday before hearing about yet another long distance charity challenge. 50 kilometres this, 100 kilometres that, all promising hours of foot pounding, knee jarring, hip aching physical exertion.

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ut as one who’s completed two Oxfam 100 km Trailwalkers in the past, (whilst these days sitting it out on the night shift as Safety Co-ordinator, hidden deep in Trailwalker headquarters), I can vouch that the reality is so much richer than the marketing promises. When you dig deeper you find that there’s lots more to this than just walking 100kms and raising some money.

The concept for Trailwalker was based upon a British Army training exercise in Hong Kong in 1981. Back then it was only for the elite Queen’s Gurkhas regiment, when Britain still ruled before the handover to China in 1997.

When it was introduced into the Australian charity and fundraising landscape that same year, it forever changed the way that Aussies would look at donating money.

At the time, it burst onto the not-for-profit scene with a completely fresh way of not only raising funds and awareness of Oxfam’s work and projects, but introduced a completely different demographic and group of people to the concept of giving.

Photo Credit: Michael Myers sponsor child, Oxfam Trailwalker provided an opportunity for Aussies to commit and connect not just their wallets with a fleeting sense of doing good, but to have the work of Oxfam front of mind for the months of physical training beforehand and to become walking, talking advocates for a three month period.

“There’s been an increase in interest in experiential fundraising throughout the industry – people want to receive something for their gift, but acknowledge that this should be an experience rather than material.” says Simon Barwick from Oxfam Australia.

And what’s in it for them? The incredible experience of setting oneself a seemingly impossible physical challenge, pushing personal limits of fitness, endurance, sleep deprivation, and pain, whilst finding a deep sense of community, friendship, team and belonging.

Having completed fifteen Oxfam events, local Sydney woman Elizabeth (Liz) Woodgate is categorised as an official ‘Trailwalker Legend’.

That is, those who’ve completed five events or more.

Whilst these days, we’re starting to see more of the UK style of street collectors (known as ‘chuggers’) back then, charity fundraising relied firmly on traditional forms of monthly giving, annual doorknock appeals and corporate philanthropy at the big end of town.

“I’d been doing a few Ironman races, very much an individual pursuit, so the idea of a team event appealed to me... Everyone will go through a flat or rough patch during the event. It’s teamwork that gets everyone across the line.”

Instead of simply donating a few bucks here and there and maybe writing a letter to a

Trailwalker arrived on the Australian landscape at just the right time. It was the earliest days of the internet and what we can

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now look back on as the emergence of an increased connectedness to our place in the global community, but the ‘what’s in it for me?’ culture.

With the ability to connect to new information sources and no longer relying on traditional media forms, we were suddenly able to ask ourselves the age old journalistic questions of who? What? Why? Where and how? We no longer wanted to be told about ‘the starving people in Africa’, but to ask our own questions, connect to the answers and contribute in meaningful ways.

So what drives people like Liz to be so committed to Trailwalker, year after year?

“We are so fortunate to make it to the start line, fit, safe and healthy each year. We do this because we have a choice. We do it for people less fortunate who don’t have the choice.”

So much about aid programs is about providing choice for people who have none.

Choice to go to school, choice to drink clean water and choice to live in a safe place.

But there’s more than just the years of service that make Liz a legend. With a fundraising total behind her of approximately $58,000, it’s obvious that she’s not in it for just the physical challenge.

In Australia, the event raises over $8 million annually through the efforts of 7,000 - 8,000 participants. And with the event now being staged in nine locations, across New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, the UK and Europe, funds

raised globally have exceeded $210 million.

Although this is a big picture fix to a big problem, Event Marketing Manager Simon (a Trailwalker Legend himself) sees the stand out moments over the past 20 years as being very local.

“For me, having the opportunity to give back to the local community is always at the forefront of my thoughts. The event facilitates a way for people to have a unique experience with friends, family and colleagues, doing something very out of the ordinary, whilst reconnecting with nature and exploring the beauty of the parks around them.”

And it’s not only Oxfam projects that benefit from Trailwalker events. Anecdotally, local businesses such as cafes in the areas that the course travels through report an increase of around 25%+ in sales.

Simon continues, “Many of our checkpoints are also staffed by local community volunteers who run sausage sizzles and bake sales to raise funds for community projects – so it’s pretty good to be involved at this local level too.”

And whilst there are some who believe that National Parks shouldn’t be used for this type of event, with an additional 2,800 people visiting the National Parks along the trail (including volunteers and support crew), the event showcases the beauty of some of our

cities most accessible natural areas. It’s the opportunity for many to visit and experience just some of the great highlights of our National Parks.

With Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney being run through three Parks (Ku-rin-gai, Garigal and Sydney Harbour National Park), the income generated through the Parks event fees is funnelled into projects within these parks such as conservation programs, track maintenance, signage and facilities. These improvements benefit not only the participants in the events, but all park users year round.

The challenges faced by the participants aren’t the only ones encountered on the course.

When Oxfam first approached National Parks 20 years ago to stage the first event, the challenges at first seemed insurmountable.

One can only imagine how difficult the original pitch must have been... A charity wants to send 1,000 people off into the bush for two days, spread out over 100 kms, often in the dark, on rough and uneven terrain, whilst still keeping them safe and protecting the environment.

The strong working relationship between the Oxfam event organisers and National Parks has been built over twenty years. It relies on thorough planning and preparation, communication and commitment to providing a

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safe environment for all park visitors, whilst educating them on how to behave respectfully in natural environments.

Together, they’ve learnt a lot about how to run outdoor endurance events over twenty years and are now considered by many to be the gold standard for such events.

Participant Liz has noticed the change. “The organisation [of the event] has become very professional and makes it very easy for participants to get fundraising tips, advice on training and loads of information about the trail.

You go into the event very well informed.”

1997 marks not only the 20th birthday of Trailwalker but also the 50th anniversary of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

With responsibility for preserving and protecting over 7 million hectares and welcoming over 39 million people across the state in 2016, Ku-ring-gai Ranger, Sue Guthrie says that, “NPWS is proud to be able to support such a worthwhile event.”

In celebration of National Parks 50th anniversary, Oxfam are inviting you to celebrate with them by becoming part of their brand new 50 km event in 2017.

With the final word going to Trailwalker Legend Liz, if you’re thinking of doing Trailwalker, “Do it. Don’t overthink it - you are much more capable than you think.”

TEAM Preparing for your first

TREKKING EVENT STORY BY JEN BROWN FROM SPARTA CHICKS

Entering an event such as Oxfam for the first time is exciting! Whether it was an instantaneous decision or one you took weeks to make, your excitement will no doubt be tinged with nerves.

You may even be thinking “what have I got myself into?” Don't worry - that’s normal!

Now you’ve made the decision, there are a number of things to consider before you’re ready to stand on the start line feeling fit, confident and prepared to tackle this new adventure. Here are a few:

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TEAM MEMBER SELECTION. Team dynamics is critical to your enjoyment and ultimately your success! I have seen long-standing friendships disintegrate after personalities clashed or expectations weren’t met on the trails.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been friends.

When it’s 3am, everyone is exhausted and a team member feels left behind (or others feel frustrated waiting for them), things can get ugly, quickly. Is it the goal to achieve a certain time or simply to cross the finish line together regardless of how long it takes? Be clear on your team’s objective. It can prevent fractures in the team later on.

Training.

Aim to train on your own (which is great for mental toughness) and, if possible, with your teammates so you’re aware of the team’s dynamics before race day.

Train on the course if possible.

Otherwise, find trails that most closely resemble the terrain of your event. Trekking on fire trails every weekend won’t prepare you for technical, hilly or rocky terrain.

Think of recovery as an important part of your training too. So include a recovery (or easy) week every 4 weeks to give your body (and mind) a rest. Sleep is one of the best things you can do to help your body recover from your training. So get as much sleep as you can during the week (aim for 8 hours and don’t let yourself fall asleep on the couch at night!)

And try to squeeze in a nana nap on the weekend (even 30 minutes

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will make a difference!).

It could rain on race day so don’t let rain discourage you from getting outside to train. Think of it as a great opportunity to test your gear and find out if you get blisters when your socks are wet!

And don’t forget to do at least one session each week carrying all your mandatory gear. You’d be surprised how many people forget to do this! You don’t want to train with a light pack then pick up your pack on race day and realise how heavy it is!

Finally, make sure your training is based on the demands of the event and not your fear and selfdoubt. Too often I see women do too much training without adequate recovery (and very often, get injured or sick) because their fear of not being “ready” or “good enough” clouds their judgement about their training.

FUNDRAISING. Fundraising can be glossed over in the early stages of preparing for an event like Oxfam. However it can be a source of contention amongst the team so make sure you discuss it early in your planning.

Will each member raise 1/4 of the total amount? Or perhaps you’ll jointly host a few events to raise the full amount?

Draw on the natural strengths of each team member too.

Not everyone will be comfortable posting about the event on Facebook. But instead they might be happy to call local businesses and ask for their support or donations.

CREW. Crew choice is almost as important as the choice of your teammates. You want people who love you but won’t be offended if you are grumpy at 3am!

Having been on both sides of the fence (crewing and participating), I can honestly say crewing is just as exhausting. So if possible, have multiple crew members available, so one can rest, while the others meet you at the next checkpoint.

Minimise the amount of stress for you and your crew by having a separate bag for each checkpoint (labelled with your name and the checkpoint number). You might also give your crew (or leave in your bag), a list of things you might need or want at each checkpoint. In the middle of the night, both you and your crew will be exhausted and no-one will be thinking clearly. So the more you can do to prepare ahead of the event, the better for everyone!

Race Day Plan.

If this is your first trekking event, it’s hard for you to know what to expect. Here are some things to consider:

GEAR. Yes, gear can be expensive, especially if you don’t own much (or any) of the mandatory gear when you decide to enter the event. However good quality gear is worth the investment. There is nothing worse than realising the jacket (you thought was a bargain) is too heavy for the conditions (so much that you sweat under it), making it practically useless for the event AND then having to buy a new one!

The most important investment you can make is in your shoes. Look for trail shoes (as opposed to hiking boots).

They are lighter and softer on the base of your feet which you’ll appreciate after 12 to 30 hours in them! Consider having a second pair to change into at the half way point.

New shoes and socks can make you feel like a new woman!

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- That the team will travel as fast as the slowest person. In fact, put them at the front of the group and have them lead the way (adopt a “no woman is left behind” policy). The quickest way for team dynamics to break down, is for someone to feel they are being left behind, (or for others to get frustrated because they have to stop and wait, and risk getting cold in the process).

Also remember that each of you will, at some stage, hit a ‘dark spot’ and feel exhausted, tired and flat. So the fittest team member may not necessarily be the fastest the whole race!

- That hotspots on your feet are a priority so everyone should feel free to speak up as soon as Travel Play Live

they notice one. This might seem unnecessary to discuss. However it’s common for women not to speak up about a hotspot for fear it will inconvenience or slow the team. However it’s better to stop and treat the hotspot early, than for it to turn into a bad blister which can slow the whole team (because you’re reduced to a hobble) or worse, result in you having to withdraw because of it.

How long will you spend at each checkpoint? Have a crew member keep an eye on the time. It’s easy to lose 15 - 20 minutes if no-one is watching the time. And in races with 7+ checkpoints, that’s a lot of time!

Finally, prepare to be tested physically, mentally and emotionally. But know the sense of pride and satisfaction you feel crossing that finish line with your friends, will stay with you for the rest of your life. Happy trails!

MELBOURNE 100KM | 7-9 APRIL 2017 | SOLD OUT BRISBANE 55KM | 100KM | 16–18 JUNE 2017 | SOLD OUT SYDNEY 50KM | 100KM | 25–27 AUG 2017 | STILL OPEN PERTH 50KM | 100KM | 22–24 SEPT 2017 | STILL OPEN

Five minutes. Five, elusive minutes Not three, not four, not seven. Always five. At least I was consistent I guess. They dogged me. Consistently it seemed. No matter what I did, thought, or what strategy I applied, I just couldn’t finish off the last five minutes of my runs. And these were five vital minutes - we’re not talking skipping the old cool-down here, this was where I was meant to be working. It didn’t matter if it was an hourtwenty run or a thirty minute run, I was just consistently falling five minutes short. I was giving up when things got tough and I was frustrated and disappointed in myself.

WRITTEN BY LEAH GILBERT

Was it my fitness? No, I knew I had what was needed in the tank. Was it my pacing?

Possibly but not probably. Was it my mental space? Obviously. But no matter what I tried and explored, I couldn’t put my finger on it.

All I knew was that I had to solve the mystery of the Last Five Minutes. Whether I was prepared for where this took me is another question I may not ever be able to answer.

For those of you who may follow me on social media, you will be aware that I have been meandering in a space between infrequent interaction and oblivion. And for those of you who have been curious as to this behaviour, perhaps this may give you a little insight into my motivations behind it.

What many don’t know was that during this training phase, my goal race was the annual Triathlon USA Athena/Clydesdale Championships held in June. I had received a Wild Card entry and was in a space where I was training with a view and goal to becoming a champion. But if I couldn’t finish the last bloody five minutes of my training runs, how on Earth was I going to find that bit extra I needed to push in a race where everything was hurting and everything was on the line?

I sat with my coach and expressed my frustrations. In hindsight, I reckon he was onto me before I even knew it. He raised the issue of pressure of being a public figure and the impact this could potentially have on my

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training. I assured him I had it all sorted and was able to detach and balance that pressure. In his usual manner when he detects bullshit, he just smiled at me and sipped his coffee, saying nothing.

Quite often in sports, especially endurance based ones such as triathlon and running, we talk a lot about ‘race weight’. Many people spend their base season working on body composition, calculating ideal race weights and following nutrition plans that allow them to balance training loads and the ideal number they have set themselves.

What we don’t realise is that you can work on these numbers (or not, which is perfectly fine) until the cows come home yet carry a si-

lent, often invisible weight which sits in your head, on your shoulders, and sometimes in your heart, weighing you down more than any body mass you can calculate.

clear: in everything I did, I was still this little kid trying to prove myself - to prove my worth - to ask for acceptance - and I didn’t need to do this any more. I had peace.

This silent and invisible weight can take on many forms, with the only constant being that we are all carrying it in some form or another. Whether it is the weight of our own expectations, or the expectations of others; the weight of self belief systems; the weight of guilt for dedicating the time and energy our training requires; or, simply, the weight of obligation to share our experiences through our social media outlets, we are all carrying some or all of this. Silently, perhaps unknowingly, we apply this weight like putting on a backpack every time we head out for our next training session.

With peace sometimes comes exhaustion.

When you call a 30-odd year battle off, there’s bound to be fatigue. Every ounce of energy I had left had to be spent on healing and rebuilding. My social media went quiet.

Projects which saw others relying on my social media following and public profiles were cancelled. Some people understood it, some people didn’t. This wasn’t something I concerned myself with. I had a bigger task at hand: I still wanted my five minutes back.

I knew that in order to solve the Mystery of the Five Minutes, I had to go within and be honest about what invisible weight I was carrying. One thing I have always applied to myself and now with my clients is that the answer is always in the Self. It was becoming increasingly obvious that this weight was crippling me mentally by the time I got to the last five minutes of my runs. I looked to my behaviours and thoughts during my runs.

Rather than simply executing a pace plan, I was pushing to get a PB on a segment, or hit a pace faster than I had done previously so I could screenshot it and send it to my coach.

I felt an obligation to find something to take a picture of and something to ‘take away’ from each set to post on social media (‘what can I write about this set?’). The reality became clear: I wasn’t running for myself anymore. I went even deeper and looked at my goals, and I was forced to acknowledge that these also were no longer my own. But why?

On the day of my 38th birthday, my beautiful mother posted an image of me when I was about four or so with a lovely birthday message. I looked at the picture of that little girl and suddenly broke down. My husband Craig came to see why on Earth I was sobbing at 8am on my birthday. I showed him the picture and simply said “look at that little girl, there is nothing wrong with her. There was nothing ever wrong with her. There was nothing ever wrong with me.” My lifetime of diets, restrictive eating and trying to ‘fix’ the problem of my body was simply a symptom or by-product of popular medical thought and society at the time. As odd as this may sound, in this awakening I found peace - it was the last piece of my ‘puzzle.’

My training quandary suddenly became

Part of the rebuilding plan I set myself was to go within and ensure that everything I did from here on in was purely driven by intrinsic motivation. It is something I do with my clients in dealing with all facets of life and training because when we are intrinsically motivated to do something we are more likely to persist and persevere through adversity to achieve our goals. I knew I was going to find my five minutes here. Evidence of this was in reflecting that the time I loved running the most was when no one knew I was doing it; all those years ago when I was achieving a lifelong goal of becoming a runner - all done by myself and for myself. It was a time when I had nothing to prove.

My path was clear, but it wasn’t easy. I cancelled my plans to race in the Athena Championships and revised my training program so that I had my long, slow runs back.

The long, slow runs are where I find my zen.

They are the runs which satisfy my soul, and where I have greatest appreciation for what my body is capable of. My goals shifted to hitting distance and time goals over a course of time. So my training became about how I supported and facilitated the long, slow Saturday run. And in order for me to find true joy in these runs and achieving these goals, there was one more element which had to be satisfied: no one needed to know about it.

The impact that social media has on our training is so multi-faceted and often subconscious that we are not even aware of how it impacts us. The old adage of ‘if it isn’t on Instagram, it didn’t happen’ is a real weight of obligation that many of us experience: it is also something which can carry great weight even on a micro-level, and even without us having conscious awareness of it. This weight can be exacerbated if what we are achieving in training or racing

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is having a positive impact on others. The simple and supportive phrase of “you are so inspiring” can suddenly and silently add dimensions to what we are doing and expectations that many of us are not equipped to carry. This is often demonstrated by the anxiety we experience when challenged to complete a run or training set and not post it to social media.

My own abstinence from social media, particularly when it came to training was not without this anxiety - here I was, a person who managed a public profile as an athlete, challenging myself to NOT POST about my training or athletic endeavours. My whole identity was being challenged. I had to understand that my profile would go quiet and I needed to be OK with that. But those five minutes were worth it. I still wanted them more than any gratification found in a social media post or profile status.

The first long run that I completed and never took photos of or posted about was amazing. It was like I had found the secret to the Universe and got to keep it all to myself.

And as for the last five minutes? I ran one minute over time AND with a negative split over incline (insert fist pump here). And I have honestly found it hard to post about any of my training ever since. I just want to keep them all to myself, to store them in this magical memory bank of experiences I look back on when I am older - a treasure trove of times when I honoured myself and what I was capable of.

Now of course my experiences and my process is not a how-to guide when it comes to getting to what I now call ‘Mental Race Weight’, because we all carry different things which impact us in different ways.

And I don’t in any way lessen or trivialise the depth involved or strength it takes to make an honest assessment about what could be weighing us down. But what I will say is that I see the same story as mine panning out all the time - this really does seem to be a common affliction which manifests in different ways - my five minutes is someone else’s sudden and puzzling lack of motivation, or an increased yet unidentified sense of pressure in the lead up to an A-event.

All I can say is that the honesty and effort involved in this process is very much worth it. Optimum mental performance isn’t something that is just reserved for elite athletes or even athletes purely for that matter - for many of us it can simply mean walking through life with lighter shoulders and a more focused, peaceful mind.

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THE VELOROOS Race Around Ireland Record Attempt Sometimes, when you least expect it, an email turns contemplation on its head, and you are thrust into action mode. One such email arrived in my inbox from Julie-Anne Hazlett (J-A), a fellow endurance junky, and lead rider of an all-female, non-professional cycle team called the Veloroos. The topic - would I like to join Veloroo’s team aiming to win and break the female team record in the Race Around Ireland?

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ide lined for the past year while my body healed from multiple mountain bike crashes (seems I don’t bounce like I used to!), I had recently begun to work out what my next challenge might be. Nothing had quite created that sense of terrified excitement that us endurance junkies need in order to hit the “enter” button, but here was a new challenge that made me scream with excitement, and yell an expletive or two.

The Race Around Ireland (RAI) is a continuous cycle race covering 2200km of the spectacular, rugged, windswept coastal roads of Ireland. In a team of 4 , we will relay race non-stop from the start around the entire country, until we finish in the shadow of Trim Castle in County Meath. As the first and so far only Australian team, we not only want to win the female category, we plan to break the current 89hour 12min record.

Well if a race is worth training for, then it’s worth AIMING high for right?

No stranger to endurance cycle racing, J-A was one of the four Veloroos in 2015 who took on the Race Across America (RAAM) and won. RAAM is a non-stop race over 5000km, travelling across 12 states, with riders climbing the equivalent of Mt Everest 6 times, hence why the race is known as one of the world’s toughest cycle races. The Veloroos not only won the female team of 4 category, they decisively smashed a 19-yearold record.

As a non-professional team, the Veloroos self-fund their races. We are lucky enough to have some amazing sponsors to help

WRITTEN BY SARAH ANN EVANS

us with kit (Cuore), helmets (MET), wheels (Profile Design) and nutrition (PURE and Ems), but the struggle to be taken seriously as a female team is a reality. We constantly contact potential sponsors, however even with the accolade of the 2015 RAAM results, get knocked back again and again. It seems to be in stark contrast to some of male Australian teams that took part in the 2015 RAAM, who found it much easier to secure funding.

Since 2015, the Veloroos has moved away from being solely about women racing bikes for a bloody long time. Each of us share a desire to see more women on bikes, addressing the gender imbalance in cycling not only from the numbers of women riding, but also to raise a general awareness of the strength of women on bikes to influence other women to ride.

We are passionate about two wheeled challenges. You get to see the world at an absorbing, participation pace rather than a million miles a minute which seems common in today’s world. As part of the Veloroos, we hope to ignite that passion for cycling in others, and one of the main reasons the Veloroos exists is to fan the cycling embers that glow inside other women. Yes, we know that swinging your leg over your bike for the first time is a far cry from 2200km, but while our adventures on two wheels may seem epic, we all remember our first terrifying road ride. Cycling like frightened rabbits, gripping the handlebars for dear life, crapping ourselves about red lights and having to unclip from the pedals, and for GOD SAKE don’t ask me to signal!

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If the idea of riding terrifies you but you feel ever so slightly drawn to it…. douse the fear and fan the flames. Even if it’s to the corner shop! Just get on your bike and ride, and take your girlfriends with you.

Rounding out the 2017 Veloroos team alongside J-A and myself are two other riders, Pippa Lyon, and Di Jones. 95 days out from the race and the game is on to get race ready. We all have full time jobs so one of our biggest struggles is fitting the training requirements and race organisation around work and life. Alongside training, we’re organising fundraisers, continuing our charity commitments for our two chosen charities, Tour De Cure and the Amy Gillet Foundation, and trying to find backing from potential sponsors. Add to this race logistics and planning, the sourcing of 12 volunteer crew, support cars, accommodation, flights and this turns into a huge challenge beyond just the miles required on the bike.

Thankfully all of us have strong endurance backgrounds, are used to racing on little sleep, and have just the right amount of downright crazy stubbornness to take on the race. As for the organisation of the race, we are all incredibly committed to doing whatever it takes to get to the start line. With 95 days to go, the adventure is just starting, the start line of exciting possibilities awaits, and we are ready to go out there and give it everything we have.

The Race Around Ireland starts on Sunday 27th August 2017 from Trim, County Meath, Ireland. You can support and follow the Veloroos at www.veloroos.com or on Facebook @theveloroos

WILDS PHILOSOPHY Wear / Inspire / Look / Divert / Simplify

This week marks the start of Plastic Free July, a growing global movement to raise awareness of the issues associated with single-use disposable plastic. Plastic waste is a serious problem. Each week across the world we use over 10 billion disposable plastic bags and it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish.

These are some of the shocking facts that have driven environmentally conscious jewellery brand, Spindrift Collections, to launch a new vision aimed at driving positive change.

Spindrift Collections wishes to empower its customers to embrace an active and conscious lifestyle, whilst building a personal connection to the natural world. Encouraging its customers to step up and take action, by collecting, recycling and diverting disposable litter every day and being mindful of their own lifestyle choices.

Spindrift Collections creates unique beautiful jewellery, for the dreamers, adventurers and barefoot wanderers, using authentic, sea smoothed beach glass and recycled sterling silver. Spindrift’s designs are inspired by the ever changing beauty of the oceans, natural landscapes and by a sense of wanderlust for places yet to explore. It is these beautiful landscapes that they are working hard to protect.

“If Spindrift could inspire our customers and followers to divert or avoid using just three pieces of disposable litter a day, for example: a disposable water bottle, a coffee cup and a plastic bag, that equates to over 1000 pieces per person every year" said Natasha Wakefield from Spindrift Collections.

Spindrift is encouraging each of its customers and followers to adopt the W.I.L.D.S philosophy, centred on a personal commitment to respect, protect and honour our wild and beautiful natural landscapes.

Natasha loves spending time in the great outdoors, hiking, paddle boarding, windsurfing and enjoying her own personal connection to nature, “I have always been so saddened by

the amount of litter that is on the beach, in the ocean and throughout the natural world. I wanted to do something about it. To make an impact beyond that of being an environmentally conscious brand. It’s my vision that our pieces become a reminder for the wearer to do their part at every opportunity, as together, I believe we can make a difference”.

Respect for the environment and a commitment to conscious sustainable practices are central to the Spindrift way of working and each piece of jewellery is created utilising materials that are sustainable, recycled or recyclable. Each piece of Spindrift Collections jewellery captures a personal connection to the natural world and is designed to tell your story. Evolving every year and making developments to strive towards their goal of being as thoughtful and sustainable in business as is possible, Spindrift Collections is now a proud member of 1% for the Planet and donates 1% of annual sales to environmental conservation.

Spindrift Collections’ new vision is supported by their growing group of like-minded ambassadors, each selected for their strong values and great love of the outdoors. These inspirational women include Australian television presenter, producer and adventurer Caroline Pemberton; British-born adventurer, speaker and author Anna McNuff and American professional ski mountaineer and adventurer Caroline Gleich.

Spindrift Collections invites you to join them in their W.I.L.D.S philosophy, choosing connection, adventure and to protect our beautiful natural world. www.spindriftcollections.com

Photography

by Julia Toms Travel Play Live 044

WEAR your commitment to protecting and respecting the natural world.

INSPIRE others to enjoy the outdoors and start conversations about conservation.

LOOK for alternatives in your lifestyle such reusable water bottles.

DIVERT litter from the wilds by collecting and recycling every day.

SIMPLIFY your lifestyle, be mindful of your choices and consumption.

"I love everything about Spindrift Collections.

Not only are they reminding us that we must look after this world we live in, but the jewellery is just beautiful. They are an inspiration - doing everything a modern business should, not asking us to choose between style and a responsibility to protect the planet.� Anna McNuff

"Spindrift Collections is a brand that reminds me to play, celebrate my wanderlust, seek adventures and continue to write my journey around the world. I love the strength of its environmental policy with sustainability at its core reflected in each glass bead.�

Caroline Pemberton.

Photo By: Paul Petch

Photo By: Tim Thatcher

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"FRIENDSHIP IS BORN AT THAT MOMENT WHEN ONE PERSON SAYS TO ANOTHER: 'WHAT! YOU TOO? I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE." Photography by C.S. Lewis

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Photo of Travel Play Live Summit Ambassadors and kindred spirits Sam Gash and Hayley Talbot by Kristyna Erbenova 047

Travel Play Live

AUGUST 31ST - 3RD SEPTEMBER

CONNECT UNLEASH EQUIP

and Surprise Yourself

The Travel Play Live Women's Adventure Summit a ‘choose your own adventure’ three day mammoth weekend in the stunning Great Lakes on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

connect.

We’ve made it easy for you to find your tribe. Whether you are an avid outdoor enthusiast, or a women excited to try new activities for the first time. Be inspired by some of the countries most motivating women and to connect with like minded outdoor gals.

We are bringing together all your adventure loves in one location, in one of Australia’s most beautiful outdoor playgrounds. We want to make it easy for you to unite, collaborate and join forces with other women who share that sense of adventure.

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unleash.

The truth is while we want to take you on a journey of adventure throughout the weekend, what we really aspire to, is unleashing your inner child, free spirit and sense of fun. We give you the opportunity to climb, paddle, hike, camp, laugh, reach summits, ride waves, and yes – even to fly.

equip.

We offer an across the board selection of adventure activities, clinics and workshops designed to challenge the body and mind, and leave you with a brand new attitude. You will have opportunities to play on your own or have guided experiences in an supportive environment with trusted guides and coaches on hand. Experience new things and leave with the knowledge and confidence to pursue them afterwards.

UPGRADE TO A SIMPLE PLEASURES LUXURY BELL TENT

FOR JUST $475.00

This cost & the tent can be shared between two friends or enjoy it all to yourself.

PACKAGE INCLUDES Full Inclusion and Priority Placement within ALL Elective Streams Bunk House Accommodation (linen provided) All Meals VIP Gift Bag with fantastic merchandise from our event partners First Option Bonuses to purchase our Glamping Option Personal Accident Insurance FREE BUS from Newcastle Airport will be available for delegates www.eventbrite.com.au - Women's Adventure Summit

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What to Expect

FROM THE SUMMIT

Meals & accommodation

Enjoy an inclusive ‘3 night stay’ at Camp Elim, in bunkhouse accommodation or upgrade to a 'Simple Pleasures' luxury bell tent. All meals are included.

Activities & workshops

Speakers & ambassadors

Explore your outdoor passions and discover a love for new ones. We’ve lined up a selection of incredible activities for you to choose from over the weekend.

Take in a host of inspiring talks by some of the countries most motivating women, and open your mind to new adventurous opportunities.

DAY 1 THURSDAY 31ST AUGUST 5 pm Official Summit Opening We kick off the Summit with a traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and acknowledgement to Worimi Country.

Our dinner will feature delicious local produce and wine, showing off the best of the local region. Your Travel Play Live Hosts Amy & Kerryann will introduce the delegates to our awesome line up of speakers, ambassadors and coaches and our Keynote Speaker for the evening Kemi Nekvapil will speak on ‘Giving Yourself Permission & Saying Yes to Adventure’.

DAY 2 FRIDAY 1ST SEPT Today we head out early after breakfast into the stunning Barrington Tops region where we all get to experience the thrill of some action packed activities. You get to choose two options from the following electives: whitewater kayaking PLUS mountain biking OR abseiling.

Tonight we will have an have a Round Table Panel discussion lead by our Ambassadors Hayley Talbot & Sam Gash with fireside Baileys and Marshmallow Hot Chocolate.

DAY 3 SATURDAY 2ND SEPT Before breakfast, start the day right with a morning sunrise meditation or hit the early morning trails or just sleep in – up to you.

Today we welcome our Day Pass holders into Base Camp. This morning for our first session

you get to choose from one of the following: SUPing OR Kayaking on Wallis Lake OR Trail Running From 10:30 our Base Camp will become a hive of activity and we will have a delicious food truck on site for some extra special treats. Participants will get to choose from a wide selection of electives throughout the day including: • Packing It - all the tips, equipment and gear essentials for hiking a one day or multi day hike.

• Bushfoods Tour • The Art of Layering • Body Maintenance • Outdoor Apps & Gadgets • Nature Immersion and Awareness • Climbing Wall & the Giant Swing • Wellness for Wilderness Athletes • Your 1st Adventure Race • Outdoor Snaps & Photography Tips • Navigation Basics • Extreme Gourmet • Girl Bike Love • Walking the Camino • Leave No Trace. Blood Sweat Tears & No’2’s • Wilderness Survival - Knots, Shelter, Fire and Keeping Safe Outdoors • Special screening of the Dirty Girls Film Tour We wrap up the day with ‘Sips, and Summit Sunset Selfies’ a delicious dinner and presentations from our Key Note Speakers: Caro Ryan, Leah Gilbert, Caroline Pemberton & Ange Langdon

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Like-minded women

We’re making it easy to unite, collaborate and join forces with other women who share your sense of adventure.

DAY 4 - SUNDAY 3RD SEPT This morning before breakfast you can choose from: Trekking & Navigation OR Body Boarding OR Morning Meditation.

We then come together to share our final breakfast together and Kemi Nekvapil will be hosting a workshop to bring together all the weekends experiences, life lessons and applications.

As we head off to pack up, we will open up the final activities on-site and if you haven't had a go yet, head over to the climbing wall and test your nerve on the Giant Swing.

NOTE: All our workshops and activities are designed so that regardless of your skill level you will be able to participate and enjoy the experience. We’ve chosen the best coaches, guides and professionals in their field who are as passionate as we are about helping you have the best weekend of adventure possible.

A full schedule is available from our website. www.travelplaylive.com.au/ activities-workshops For more FAQ, head to www. travelplaylive.com.au/summit-faq Elective selection will open to all delegates closer to the date and full delegates will be given priority to workshops & activities where numbers may be limited. Please note that the workshops & activities are subject to change.

Ambassadors

Samantha Gash.

Hayley Talbot.

Caroline Pemberton.

From a background as a corporate lawyer, Samantha's thirst for adventure, experience and thrill for life has allowed her to discover what she cares about the most - achieving social change through the vehicle of adventure and running.

Hayley is a mother, writer, adventure survivalist has a wicked sense of humour a mean passion for adventure and is a fierce advocate of the remedial effects of ‘getting the hell outside’.

Caroline is a television presenter, producer, adventure addict and once upon a time Miss Australia. Growing up with two brothers and always outside, she found herself more comfortable in a pair of muddy boots than wearing a tiara.

Key Note Speakers,

Caro Ryan.

Kemi Nekpavil.

ACCREDITED LIFE-COACH AND SPEAKER

Known as the 'woman’s coach’ she specialises in empowering women to set boundaries, say yes to themselves and to create lives that honour and nourish them. Kemi is committed to seeing a change in how women feel about themselves and how they express themselves in the world.

LOT S A F R E S H A I R THE UNEXPECTED OUTDOORS CHICK

Caro from Lotsafreshair is one of Australia's top bloggers / vlogger when it comes to all things outdoors. Growing up in Sydney in a family that never went camping or on outdoors adventures, it came as somewhat of a surprise to discover hiking and camping in her mid 20’s and it fast became somewhat of an obsession.

Leah Gilbert.

Angela Langdon.

Leah is the founder of Body Positive Athletes, a blog and online community which celebrates the belief that the term 'athletic' defines a lifestyle, not a body type. A specialist Fitness Instructor and Accredited Athletics Coach, known globally as a 'thought leader' in the Body Positive Fitness arena.

Angela is an adventure seeking woman who continuously aims to push herself beyond her comfort zone. As a passionate skydiver and mountaineer, she is turning her 'one day' into 'today'. She is a qualified military Adventurous Training Leader, has served her country in Afghanistan and holds the rank of Captain. She is currently an instructor at Duntroon, mentoring our future leaders of tomorrow.

B O DY P O S I T I V E AT H L E T E S

A R M Y C A P TA I N & I N S T R U C T O R AT T H E R O YA L M I L I TA R Y C O L L E G E D U N T R O O N

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Coaches & Workshop Hosts

Kate Duncan

Alice King

Kerith Duncanson

Jane Grover

Refresh & Re-balance Sessions

Mountain Biking Coach

Wellness for Wildness Athletes

Outdoor Gourmet

Sputnik

Michelle Lawford

The Art of Layering

The Art of Layering

Karen Barrett Trail Running

Melanie Trethowan Walking the Camino

Joelle Breault-Hood Packing It & Extreme Gourmet

Nikki Brown

Lilly Pollard Bodyboarding Coach

Jo New

Wildcraft Team- Nature Immersion & Awareness - Tracking, Bird Language & Barefoot walking

Magdelene Bennett

Charne Lindsay

Fully Rad Adventures

Talysha Reeve

Girl-Bike-Love

SUP Boarding

Your 1st Adventure Race

Body Maintenance

zen and the art of the

S U M M I T

In an instant I stop striving. I sit, resting in magnificent silence.

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y left shoulder pushes into my flannel nightshirt, then the comfy mattress underneath.

My hip sinks into it, warmth and comfort spreading out into my belly, down my legs. Thick layers of blankets pulled all the way up to my chin offering a stark contrast to the coolness of my cheeks and the end of my nose. I am awake. Remnants of a forgotten dream flow through my thoughts.

My eyes open to a pale, grey outline around the window shades, letting me know that morning will soon be here. There is a burst of pleasant tingling in the centre of my chest as I remember where I am. Any minute now, the retreat bell ringer will walk past our rooms.

Her melodic ting, ting, tinging letting us know that the first meditation of our long day is about to begin. I love these meditation retreats. The silence. The stillness. There is such peace here, such clarity. So much time to see the love in one’s heart. I can feel my grin beam out into the darkness. I roll onto my back and take my arms overhead in a stretch. There’s a lightness in my bones today, as if something has shifted while I slept.

I have completed about fifteen of these retreats now and the process is becoming familiar. In the beginning, there was day- afterday effort and striving. Painful sitting, hour by hour. Then, inevitably, came a shift into stillness and with any luck, some great insight.

The insights tended to be about how I hadn’t been loving myself, how I had been pushing too hard, how I had been standing in my own way. I muse - what insight will I have today?

I take my morning slowly. I can’t help it. That lightness in my bones wants me to be joyful and who am I not to obey? I go with it. I chose to make a cup of tea and sip my way through it with precise awareness. A thought comes every now and then and I watch them with curiosity. Where do they come from? Where do they go? It doesn't bother me. There is too much happening, right here, right now, with my tea. Its creamy liquid warms me as it travels

WRITTEN BY KATE DUNCAN

down my throat. As I exhale, my warm breath makes swirling clouds in the morning air.

I walk slowly to the meditation hall, stopping to witness miracles unfolding. The curling of a leaf on a tree. The unwinding of a light pink rose. A tiny bug on a long narrow stem bending it as it walks, tight -roped, from one end to the other. The smells of budding morning, of warming dew, as the sun begins its journey.

In the hall it happens, my legs crossed in half lotus, my hands resting delicately in my lap, my mind still and open. A deep and liberating wisdom. Kate, it says, stop trying to be happy.

This wisdom knows that I’ve managed to make trying to be happy, just another thing to strive for, something that will happen in another time, in a future that will never exist.

But happiness can only happen now. Moment by moment. In an instant I stop striving. I sit, resting in magnificent silence. It’s so peaceful.

I’m so… happy. I almost giggle out loud.

We humans are so funny. Tears escape from behind closed eyelids, roll elegantly down my cheeks and plummet, unafraid, to the earth.

The clarity of this insight is remarkable. And yet I consider, haven’t they all been like this?

That’s it, I’ll think, after some huge awakening.

I’m perfect just the way I am. I’ll love myself unconditionally now. All these moments of insight, carrying the same message in a different package. Stop trying. Accept yourself for who you are. Love yourself. Just be you.

I suddenly remember the snow-covered peak near my old house in Tahoe. We called it Sunrise Bowl because you could summit the whole peak before work in the morning. I remember Bobo, my beloved yellow Labrador, running in circles in the back of my car, knowing where we were going. He would make these silly little leaps in the snow as I fastened my snow -shoes, strapped my snowboard to my pack and set the mouthpiece of my water hose in place.

“Come on buddy”, I’d say, “lets go” and he’d bound out ahead, just as excited as ever no matter how many times we came here. Every climb, a new climb to him. My warm breath would make those same swirling clouds with

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the morning air, my ears would find that same sound of silence. And up we’d go. I would try to model myself after Bobo, mimicking his light step, his joy, his enthusiasm. He would put his head down, wag his tail and just keep going, one paw after another. He never looked up to the summit. He didn't care how far we had to go. This was for him about the hiking itself. He taught me that this is how we should proceed. A long bike ride, a trip down the river, a big project, the writing of a book. One snow- shoe and one paw in front of another. As we climbed he’d turn back and hang his tongue at me, breathing heavily as I did, stopping when I stopped, then pushing on ahead. And then suddenly we would be there, at the top, the snow walls clearing into an unobstructed view. There was nowhere left to go, nothing left to do and nothing blocking our sight. The pushing, the climbing was over.

Bobo didn't seem to care. It was clear the summit meant nothing to him. He would just stand there and stare at me as I marvelled at what was around us, waiting for some signal that I was ready to descend.

Every summit was slightly different. Sometimes the wind whipped across our faces invigorating us. Sometimes the air was still and calm but paradoxically, it always felt the same. Simple. No enemies, no problems, no worries just the two of us, looking down on a brilliant world below. Eventually, I would begin to switch my gear. Bobo would make those silly leaps in the snow again as I would fasten my snowboard to my boots and strap my snowshoes to my pack. “Come on, buddy,” I’d say, “let’s go”.

The slow, deep ringing of the meditation bell hits me. Its vibration finds each waiting cell and, for a moment, they vibrate together. I smile deeply, slowly, mindfully uncrossing my legs. As I walk outside the hall doors, the cool air greets me. This time, I feel a subtle letting go of the insight. I think about Bobo. How little he cared for the summit. How excited he always was to go down. We had to go down.

His doggy wisdom knew that. If we didn’t, we couldn’t come back next week, make little leaps in the snow and climb again.

Winter Escape.

TROPICAL NORTH

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“My friends come up here to do what I do,” said Jacinta Pink. A personal trainer based in Cairns, Jacinta wholeheartedly embraces the outdoor, adventure-filled lifestyle that living in Tropical North Queensland allows. “They want to see the waterfalls, they want to see the reef, they want to see our trails. They come up here to experience my life.”

STORY BY KATH BICKNELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY WADE LEWIS AND MELISSA POPOV

H

aving recently spent a week with Jacinta and some of the local mountain biking crew and then another enjoying the tourist take on the region, it’s easy to see why she’s so passionate.

In addition to the world class mountain bike trails that define the area, there’s a host of other activities to peak out your adrenaline, ignite your sense of wonder, restore your inner calm and make your favourite things about summer last all year long.

In writing this article, the goal isn’t to list off all the big ticket mustdos in the region at the expense of some of the simpler pleasures.

It’s to share some of the insights gained through visiting this landscape with a crew of passionate locals as guides. As many outdoor enthusiasts will attest, a common interest quickly becomes an entry point to friendships and experiences in places as diverse as the people who call them home.

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Live like A LOCAL

Ride your bike.

“Everywhere you ride there’s food and a waterhole,” said photographer Wade Lewis, another proud local who joined us for this trip. If riding’s not for you, a quick scan of a map or the internet will reveal a stack of additional swimming spots that are accessible by car or foot. The waterfall at Davies Creek (pictured) is a short walk from a carpark and a toilet block. Another standout was Windin Falls, with the dramatic landscape being a highlight as much as the (approx.) 10km return trip to get in there by foot or by bike.

We took the single trail route for its twists, turns and jungley-jungle-ness but rumour has it there’s a wider trail that takes you to the other side of the waterfall.

EAT FROM A FULL PLATE

The trails in and around Cairns are the stuff of legend in the mountain biking community. What a lot of out of towners may not realise is just how diverse these trail networks are. From the steep or flowy trails at Smithfield, to a full day escape at Atherton, to the more pedally, cross-country style trails at Davies Creek, to a vibrant road riding scene, there really is something for everyone. There is even a well-signed network of bike paths connecting Cairns to accommodation in Palm Cove and Trinity Beach. Head to ridecairns.com for all the info you could hope for on the mountain biking in the region. Look up tropicrides.com for shuttles to transport you and your bike from A to B (or C or D or E). Tropic Rides have mountain bikes for hire as well.

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SWIM AT THE TOP OF A WATERFALL

Whether that’s while listening to the ocean from one of the many restaurants along The Esplanade at Palm Cove, watching the sun set from Bluewater at Trinity Park or French Crepes in Kuranda surrounded by a community of artists, meals on holidays are an experience to savour.

Restaurant and café prices are a fraction more expensive than expected throughout a lot of the region. Seek out a place that allows you to enjoy the landscape while you eat and enjoy it for what it is.

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PUSH YOUR VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS With sunsets, sunrises and palm tree lined coastlines that make you stop in your tracks, take your time to see what you can create if you move past the obvious shot.

Drive to another part of paradise.

Mission Beach is about two hours south of Cairns, while Port Douglas lies about 60 minutes north. Plan your trip with enough time to visit these other iconic destinations while you’re nearby. Eat, drink, walk, laugh, seek out activities, explore the coastline and practice your photography some more.

GET YOUR TOURIST ON While the landscape, and the local point of view, provides an endless array of outdoor opportunities, there’s a lot to be said for adding a guided tour or organised activity to your itinerary. In addition to the more obvious reasons for this, they offer a chance to discover other aspects of the landscape and further learn from passionate, local expertise.

VISIT THE REEF The Great Barrier Reef is at the top of most people’s wish lists and for good reason. “It’s just special,” exclaimed Jacinta. “The reef is special,” she paused. “I don’t know how to put it any other way.” Just go.

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RAINING? Based out at Mission Beach, Allan Thomas and his Wildside Adventures crew run white water rafting tours down the Tully River. With twoperson sports rafts and guides who

Get an adreneline fix.

have paddled the world over, this is an experience that takes you through world heritage rainforest from a unique and memorable perspective.

Located next to the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, AJ Hackett is the place to go if you want to jump off something high with the safety of a harness and take home some smartly edited GoPro footage to show all your friends. If bungy jumping sounds a bit much, the Minjin Swing is a much gentler option but looks far scarier than it is.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” said everyone. “OHHHHHHHHHH!” said their friends.

If you’ve never done something like this before, the progression of challenges and expert instruction mean you come away with a new skillset for your efforts. While this one would be stunning in the sun, it’s also worth seeking out in the warm, tropical rain. Look up wildsideadventures.com.au for further info, pricing and packages.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Someone wise once said to me that most tourists see more of Australia than many Australians do. There’s a lot of truth in that, but I like to think that the growing visibility for adventurous living and the friendships that develop alongside it, means more people are discovering parts of this country they may have otherwise missed. This is a region that offers so many experiences and so much choice. From cassowaries to crocodiles, the rainforest to the reef, there’s a lot to be said for travelling to north-east Australia during winter rather than flying overseas. Whether you do what someone like Jacinta does in her day or you seek out guided experiences that you couldn’t do anywhere else, the adventure can be as affordable or extravagant, as relaxing or adrenaline-filled and as low key or touristy as you choose to make it.

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ISLAND HOPPING. Wildside Adventures can also get you to Dunk Island via the Mission Beach Dunk Island Water Taxi. Located 29km from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a longer boat trip but one that’s also worth seeking out. With beaches, bars, hikes and marine life to explore, pack your sunscreen and take your time as you indulge in one activity for hours or see how many different ones you can fit in a day.

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forest women

OF THE

STORY BY MICHELLE LAWFORD

In preparation for my upcoming Africa trip, I’m reading Dian Fossey’s Gorillas in the Mist.

This woman is probably solely responsible for the very survival of mountain gorillas as a species. Her love of these great apes and her determination to save them is infused in every page. Thank you Dian. You were a unique and extraordinary woman.

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There can certainly be something profound and life changing about close contact with animals that are so like us. As I read Dian’s account, I remembered, with great fondness and clarity, the intimate hours I spent with orangutans.

The dense dark jungles of Borneo make it challenging to find orangutans and even more difficult to photograph them. Like giant market umbrellas, the tallest trees grow up and out to form an interlocking network completely blocking the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. Under the jungle canopy, orangutans become dark denizens of dark shadows. Here, in privacy and seclusion, they eat, sleep, play and tenderly care for their young. Even on a day of intense burning tropical sunshine, on the jungle floor, it feels like night photography.

To my surprise, the biggest problem was sweat. Borneo has the kind of heat that makes you fear you might actually melt.

Hours after the other members of my family had left to seek shelter under a fan in their room (no air-conditioning out here), I was still out there wondering if it was humanly possible to withstand these temperatures.

A mother and baby, unaware of my presence, were about just metres away from me. I knew if I could remain silent and keep my nerve, there was a good chance of some great shots.

the right spot? Brought the right gear? This last question is always the most frustrating, because if I had my time over I would almost certainly have chosen different gear. The research you do before a trip always determines photographic success or failure, much more than any decision you might make once the trip is under way.

The word orangutan comes from a Dutch word meaning “man of the forest” but what I was watching was a woman of the forest - a mother with her baby. She tenderly held, hugged, cuddled, caressed and kissed her child. The youngster started out sleepy and floppy in the mother’s arms. Later, after feeding she became bolshy and boisterous. At times a single shard of sunlight permeated the roof of the jungle canopy and shone like a heavenly spotlight, illuminating a patch of bright orange fur or deep shiny purple skin.

Yes, today I was going to be lucky.

During my trip I was fortunate to capture three nursing mothers- one out in the bright, open sunlight! Two of these mums exemplify the wonderful work being done at Orangutan Rehabilitation Centres.

Keeping still was not easy.

I had not brought a tripod because of the added weight. This meant I had to stand to achieve the height I needed and I had to hold my camera, complete with heavy zoom lens, perfectly still against my eye…….. for hours. You can’t take a break. You can’t rest your arms or put your camera down and sit for a while. Inevitably, you will miss the moment. (This is why I return from some trips with torn muscles in my arms and chest.) I didn’t want to be scrambling round for my gear when that moment came. Sweat kept running down my forehead into my eyes, blinding me and fogging the viewfinder. If the moment actually came, would I be able to see anything? My energy and confidence were literally draining out of me. This is the kind of challenge I love; extreme conditions with a potentially great pay-off but no guarantees.

Through the waiting, the same questions always play in my mind. Will I be lucky? Have I come at the right time? Chosen

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The greatest threat to the habitat of the Orangutans of Borneo is clearing and burning of the jungle for palm oil plantations. The single incredibly easy and most effective thing you can do to help save their habitat is to not buy products containing palm oil. Do your homework and check labels. If we can convince the people of Borneo that they can make a living out of eco-tourism and conservation, rather than farming, our astounding orange cousins might have a chance.

During my trip I was fortunate to capture three nursing mothers- one out in the bright, open sunlight! Two of these mums exemplify the wonderful work being done at Orangutan Rehabilitation Centres. Both girls had been rescued as youngsters themselves. Centres treat injured individuals and those that have been taken from their natural habitat.

Nurtured back to health, they are educated in all things an orangutan needs to survive in the wild. When ready, they are released back into the jungle adjacent to the centre. My two girls had clearly thrived and had come back into the area for a visit, now with their own children. What greater symbol of success can there be than rehabilitated orangutans producing the next generation and bringing their babies back to a place where they feel safe and loved? What a joy!

Travel Play Live

“You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.�

- Tyra Banks

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A UNIQUE SELECTION OF SHORT INSPIRATIONAL FILMS ABOUT WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO GET DIRTY IN THEIR PURSUIT OF ADVENTURE

Monday 17th July Tuesday 18th July Tuesday 18th July Wednesday 19th July Thursday 20th July Friday 21st July Monday 24th July Tuesday 25th July Tuesday 25th July Wednesday 26th July Thursday 27th July Thursday 27th July

Randwick Ritz Hayden Orpheum Byron Bay Theatre Eldorado Cinemas Brisbane Newcastle - Tower Cinemas Avoca - Avoca Beach Picture Theatre Gold Coast - Gold Coast Arts Centre Adelaide - Capri Theatre Wollongong - Anita’s Theatre Melbourne - Crown Cinemas Hobart - Village Cinemas Canberra - NFSA

TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.DirtyGirlsAdventureFilmTour.com.au BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

SUPPORTED BY: majestic

The Women’s Adventure Lifestyle

Magazine

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WHALE encounters

Here’s to Strong Women.

May we be them.

May we support them.

Most importantly, May we raise them.

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Amazing Role Models We live in a time when more and more women are heading out into the wilds and not only conquering real physical mountains and records but internal mountains of fear, selfdoubt and insecurity too.

We are constantly amazed at stories of ‘everyday' women who are setting their sails and hearts on journeys of greatness. From first tentative solo adventures or heading out to explore with the kids to expeditions of awe as continents are crossed and mindboggling heights are scaled.

Here, our very existence is to support these women – just like you - in all your

adventurous pursuits to travel and play and live your lives to the full. So we can’t tell you how much it makes our hearts swell with pride to read about the daughters out there blazing trails for the next generation – for fun, for friendship, for purpose, for wellbeing.

Here’s to all you strong women. May we be them, may we forever support them and most importantly, may we raise them.

Jade Hameister.

In April 2016, at 15 years old, Jade Hameister became the youngest person in history to ski to the North Pole from anywhere outside the Last Degree. At age twelve, she completed the trek to Everest Base Camp and was inspired by the courage of two women she befriended on that trip – one who had previously skied to the South Pole solo and the other who had been the first woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen.

This inspiration gained from these strong women led Jade to undertake her own Polar Quest. Jade’s Polar Quest will see her cover well over 1,000km across three expeditions on skis, dragging a sled in some of the most extreme and beautiful environments on the planet. Expedition 1 across the North Pole and Expedition 2 across Greenland were completed in April and May of 2016 and in December 2017 her final leg of the expedition across the South pole is due to begin.

Aside from journeying through some of the world's most extreme and beautiful environments on the planet, Jade is passionate about shifting the focus for young women on how they look, to what their bodies and minds can do and discover the incredible possibilities that they are capable of contributing to this world.

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She wants to encourage young people to choose bravery over perfection, because “seeking perfection makes us fearful of making mistakes or looking silly. It places limits on us and instead, we tend to play it safe, or worse… we don't even try.

Courage acknowledges that we are imperfect and that we will make mistakes, but we try anyway”.

As a representative of her generation that will inherit the consequences of climate change, and with unique first-hand experience in these most fragile parts of our planet, Jade feels a responsibility to learn as much as she can about global warming and to play a much more active role in this area in years to come.

We wish Jade all the best with her expedition and everything her future holds.

To find out more, head to: www.jadehameister.com

Travel Play Live

For Our Daughters Alyssa Azar.

We first met Alyssa in 2016 just before her third attempt to summit Everest. She had made two previous attempts to summit Everest. First in 2014 when a tragic avalanche claimed the lives of sixteen Nepalese guides.

The 2014 avalanche is the second-deadliest disaster in Everest's history, only superseded by avalanches that struck the southern side of the mountain the following year, on 25 April 2015, when Alyssa was also there for her second attempt. That kind of thing would be enough for even the most seasoned climbers to call it quits, but not Alyssa.

At eight years old Alyssa crossed the Kokoda Track. At ten she won an Australian Boxing Title and also trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp the same year. She has now climbed on five different continents – New Zealand, Africa, South America, Nepal and Australia with her next climb being in Russia. But her next big challenge is to not only inspire others by her example but to inspire them through her very own program called Mountain Mindset.

that I should share that information and get as many people as possible to follow their true calling and chase their dreams.”

"The program isn't designed specifically for mountain climbing, that's just the analogy so people understand how powerful this way of thinking can be. The program is designed for ‘the anyone' to map out and achieve any goal no matter how big or how small. The only true limitation is going to be their mindset, their work ethic and their imagination to dream big. In this program, my mentors and I will help them to uncover things about themselves and the way in which they can change their own lives through a positive mindset, planning, action taking, accountability and resilience."

If you would like to find our more, head to www.alyssaazar.com.au

“Mountain Mindset is a program where I have mapped out the mindset tricks, tips and systems that I have used to achieve many big goals in life including Mount Everest,” Alyssa said. The program is based on a mountain climb with six stages – Base Camp, Camp’s 1 – 4 and then the Summit. It commences on the first of September 2017.

“The most common questions I get asked are around fitness programs for what I do and then how I have developed a strong enough mindset to believe in myself and to be able to ignore any negative publicity or opinions. It made sense to me

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"Even as young as two, the world puts limits on our girls.

We have to encourage our daughters to be adventurous and brave and to know they belong everywhere. We have to help them stay in touch with their wild nature. And we have to fight the forces that want to steal their freedom away."

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Recommended Reading

for your girls Of course Travel Play Live tops the reading list, but there are some other great media resources out there for our young women and girls that don’t buy into all the noise, hype and gossip - Bella Rae is one of our favourites.

Bella Rae Magazine is an independent Australian publication from Queensland and we love what they do. The Bella Rae mission is: • To empower young women to be strong, intelligent and creative leaders • To equip young women with a greater awareness of the media and its impact on culture • To give girls opportunity to become contributors not just consumers • To foster a sense of sisterhood and community • To promote balanced and respectful attitudes towards women’s bodies • To present fashion that is fun, stylish and responsible • To show diversity, including real girls and models with a range of body types, looks and ethnicities • To explore issues important to young women through a variety of quality resources and real stories Available at selected retail outlets across Australia or online bellaraemag.com

and for you..

10 THINGS GIRLS NEED MOST Steve Biddulph In a world of selfies, perfect hair and ‘fitspo’ berry smoothies, it is time we encourage our girls to embrace their unique, sparkly, muddy, silly, adventurous, cartwheeling, curious, wild and beautiful selves.

Steve Biddulph is one of the world's bestknown parent educators and he is back with a new book 10 Things Girls Need Most.

When we read in the opening chapters about the importance of encouraging our daughters to be adventurous and brave and stay in touch with their inner wild, we knew this was a book we could get behind.

According to Biddulph, “one in five teenage girls is on anxiety medication, and one in twelve will develop an eating disorder. Girls are having unhappy sexual experiences because of the miseducation of pornography. Even little girls are stressed and unhappy, worried about not being perfect performers at school or in the playground.

Sexist, abusive and toxic messages are everywhere in the media. The exploitation of girls and young women rockets through primary school and into the teens. But it’s in the younger years that we can make girls strong and free. 10 Things Girls Need

Most outlines a radically different girlhood – more connection with nature, more time, peace, affection, and no pressure to start school young, to compete or worry about their looks or clothes.”

He goes on to say “10 Things Girls Need Most is a revolution. The aim of this book is twofold. Firstly, to help you understand how daughters grow and thrive, and to be confident in raising your own. To lay down the foundations of good mental health early in your daughter’s life, and to keep her strong all the way through. And secondly, to enlist you in the new wave of feminism, fighting against a world that is so toxic to our kids. We have the potential to change the world our daughters face. Girls are being exploited. We need to challenge the companies worldwide that profit from making girls insecure and compliant through manipulative marketing”.

What are the ten things girls need most?

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1. To be loved and secure 2. To have time to be a child, and a chance to be wild 3. To know how to make good friends 4. To find her spark in life 5. To have the love and respect of a dad (or a dad substitute) 6. To have backbone 7. To be part of the women’s movement 8. To have a happy sexuality 9. To enjoy the support of aunties, wise women and experience a rite of passage to womanhood.

10. Spirit For more details www.stevebiddulph. com

Sole G irls

Tween girls are faced with some of the most demanding challenges of their lives when they start deciding who to be. At this age, habits such as eating, dressing and new and different behaviours become more relevant. Sole Girls is designed for 8-12 year old girls as they navigate tween hood.

Kicking off earlier this year in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Sole Girls aims to create experiences that keep girls and their supporters moving forward with tools to live thoughtfully, mindfully and full of confidence. The core values of Sole Girls are Support, Open-mindedness, Love and Enthusiasm! The girls explore themes focused around values, goals, nutrition, body image, healthy living, what it means to be strong and acknowledges their individual awesomeness.

Sole Girls sessions are 8 weeks in length and conclude with a 5 kilometre Sole Awesome fun run!

Founded in Vancouver, Canada five years ago, by Ashley Wiles, whose vision is to see 5 million girls across the globe participating in the program. Joelle Breault-Hood brought Sole Girls to the Southern Highlands in February and is dedicated to growing the network of Sole Girls programs in New South Wales and beyond.

If you are interested in becoming a Sole Girls coach in your area, you need to start by becoming a Sole Girls LeadHER. The LeadHERship Training is a 2.5-day intensive program that takes an all-round approach, combining a workshop with a series of role play exercises, self-evaluation and group scenarios to ensure coaches and leaders develop an understanding of the expertise, skills and processes they need to thrive. If you would like more information, contact Joelle at jbreaulthood@gmail.com.

Visit www.solegirls.org or their Southern Highlands Facebook Page @solegirlssouthernhighlands.

A Mighty Girl: “The world's largest collection of books, toys and movies for smart, confident, and courageous girls”.

This website and Facebook page are amazing resources, and we highly recommend you follow them on Facebook. After years of seeking out empowering and inspirational books for their four young nieces, the founders Carolyn Dankaert and Aaron Smith decided to create A Mighty Girl as a resource site to help others equally interested in supporting and celebrating girls. “Girls do not have to be relegated to the role of sidekick or damsel in distress; they can be the leaders, the heroes, the champions that save the day, find the cure, and go on the adventure. It is our hope that these high-quality children’s products will help a new generation of girls to grow and pursue whatever dreams they choose -- to truly be Mighty Girls!” www.amightygirl.com FB: @amightygirl

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FOR ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN BUSH CRAFT, WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS, DEVELOPING BUSH CONFIDENCE AND A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO NATURE

Upcoming events Held near Dungog NSW

Taking things right back to basics, we teach the skills necessary to

25 July & 29th August

go into the wilderness and draw all of our needs from nature. By

Bubs (and kids) in the Bush

directly engaging in nature for our very survival we make it relevant

Exploration, nature play and connection.

Ages: 0 years and up. Cost from $20

to us. This inspires a passion within us to learn more. Through a deeper understanding of the natural world we can gain a sense of our place within it and can develop a very real sense of belonging.

19th & 26th August

Wildcraft Working Bee 9am-1pm. Improving our bush camp facilities.

Free! incl. lunch, camping Fri and Sat night and bush skills Saturday afternoon

25-27 September

Kids in the Bush Camp Ages 0 and up from $50

4-8 October

Wild By Nature Camp Location: Riddells Creek, Near Melbourne Victoria A tribe-building camp. Bush adventures for the kids, bush skills and relax time for the adults. Wednesday to Sunday with options to come during the week or on the weekend. From $300 for one adult and one child/ weekend (Price includes dinners and camping)

20-22 October

Wild 101: Introductory Bush Skills For mature teens and adults, 6pm Fri to 3pm Sun. from $225

For details on all of our courses, to book or contact us, visit www.wildcraftaustralia.com

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The Eight Adventure

Philosophy When I first heard of the "Eight Adventure", I just had to find our more. So I who did I ask? An eight-year-old of course. Harlow Perry, mini adventuress, lover of horses, milker of goats and dreamer of big dreams filled me in.

"My mum invented the eight adventure when my older brother Hudson was eight and she was stir crazy. We get to go on the adventure of a lifetime when we turn eight.

Hudson went with my dad to Madagascar on a surfing and fishing trip. I chose to go to India on a horse trek. Now it’s my younger sister’s turn. We have even started negotiating with my mum about having a fourteen adventure too”.

I loved it before I had kids, but now it’s just shit loads of work for mum. It’s exhausting and you get home with like ten loads of washing and a car full of crap. This way they could get some serious adventure without it being crappy for mum”.

For some more insight into this philosophy, we checked in with mum Lucy.

“I think it is really important to take them out of their first world contexts so that they can see and appreciate the way other people live. I much prefer to spend my money on experiences rather than things.

I'd rather have fewer things to look after and more awesome memories. Travel causes kids to be resourceful especially when travelling light – they just can’t take everything with them.”

"So we do the Eight Adventure and the kids get to chose where they go and one parent goes with them. This makes it affordable for a family, and you get really good one on one time.

I think there was also a little bit of selfishness in the plan, by the time my son Hudson was eight I was bored and ready for action, so I was like let's make something up. This might surprise you, but I hate camping, it’s not fun with little kids –

Lucy doesn't come across as one who would ever conform to ‘standard parenting' so we asked "why do you think adventure is good for kids”?

Lucy and her youngest daughter Sheba headed to Finland for their Eight Adventure earlier this year, and Sheba

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filled us in. “My passport almost held us up but we got it just in time to board our flight. My very first passport. Mum says it is a big day in a girl’s life when she gets her first passport. It’s your ticket to adventure” said Sheba. “We stayed one night in an Ice Hotel built completely of ice! Inside it was very cold (-20 degrees). We slept in an ice-room with lots of warm covers on top of a block of ice covered in a furry skin, but I still felt really cold. The next morning, we walked out on the frozen lake, and on the edge we saw deer prints in the snow.

The landscape was so different to anything I had ever seen before. We ate reindeer for dinner one night, went on an ice-breaker, which is a huge ship that breaks the ice on the sea. We tried ice fishing, crossed the Arctic circle especially to visit Santa's village, went out on snowmobiles to see the northern lights and even went dog sledging. It was the best thing to do for my eighth birthday!"

GIRLS WEEKEND

Rapha Women’s Prestige Hunter Valley WORDS BY: ALICE KING PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BEN CIRULIS

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They say getting to the start line is the hardest part. But this time, I didn’t even get that far.

When the Rapha Women’s Prestige event was announced, it prompted a flurry of social media messages. “Who’s up for a girl’s weekend in the Hunter Valley?!” “Me!” How far is it? 130-odd kilometres…including dirt and gravel? Guess I’d better do some training then!

O

ur team of four formed, the next step was a WhatsApp group chat to discuss the essentials, like matching team socks and how much chocolate we would need.

The date in the calendar was the perfect nudge to get me out of bed on those cold, dark autumn mornings - I didn’t want to let my teammates down.

Then, disaster. Less than a week before our all day cycling adventure, my final training ride ended in a short flight over the handlebars, terminated by some very sharp rocks.

With my knee bandaged and braced like crystal glasses packaged for long distance postage, it looked as if my team would be taking on Saturday’s event without me.

One (wo)man down, they scrambled to find a fourth team member, eventually talking Amy into it with less than 24 hours to go.

As the weekend inched closer, an escape

from the tedium of my tiny Sydney rental started to seem more and more attractive.

Waking at 2am desperately needing to pee, with my leg in a brace and the bathroom a steep flight of stairs away, is the stuff nightmares are made of. The Hunter Valley, with its quality girl time, cheese, wine (well, maybe not wine given my prescribed antibiotics) and stair-free bathroom access beckoned. It might not be the trip I had planned, but surely it had to be better than being stuck at home?

second. Panting at the top, I was greeted with hugs and the dreamt-of cheese platter - like manna from heaven. Alex, Becky and Iry had lost no time changing into trackpants and pyjamas and getting cozy on the enormous sofa. The eclectic backdrop of frocked pink velvet curtains, fake palm tree and ‘Welcome to Vanuatu’ memorabilia added a quirky note to our low key Friday night festivities. It was good to be here, together.

Arriving late on Friday night, I was confronted by what would soon prove my nemesis for the weekend: The Stairs.

While riders would be taking on 127km and 1300m of climbing in tomorrow’s Prestige, my personal challenge was a hellishly steep, narrow set of spiral stairs leading up to the front door of our Airbnb rental.

As daylight dawned the next day, women arrived by bike and car to the start point in Pokolbin. Early arrivals were excited to see a red fox trot across the car park, pausing just long to have his photo taken.

The Rapha van with its promise of hot coffee became the meeting point, riders gathering around to warm up their cold hands with a pre ride brew, or two.

Light and laughter spilled from above, urging me upward. I took a deep breath, and hopped up the first step, and then the

Colourful matching team kits and the sound of sixty women chatting brightened the early morning chill. One of the few

Teams rolled out one by one through Hunter Valley vineyards in the winter sunlight, layered up against the cutting wind. As we turned off the main highway the road narrowed, curving now through rolling countryside and stretches of forest.

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not in lycra, I felt a little out of place, but not for too long. I recognized several faces amongst the cacophony, and got introduced to many more.

Commiserations and healing tips abounded, people sharing stories of their own past injuries.

The Rider Briefing stressed 'this is not a race, it's an adventure'. Teams would be responsible for their own navigation and any mechanicals as they made their way between checkpoints. Riders took off final layers, checked the route one last time and grabbed another bakery snack for the road. Meanwhile I got set up in the photographer’s van, leg propped up in the back seat. It was time for the adventure to begin.

Teams rolled out one by one through Hunter Valley vineyards in the winter sunlight, layered up against the cutting wind. As we turned off the main highway the road narrowed, curving now through rolling countryside and stretches of

forest.

further!’

While the cyclists settled into a steady rhythm, we scanned constantly for photographic spots, trying to capture the perfect combination of surroundings, light and riders, timed exactly for an instagram-worthy shot. Photographing an event is a challenge in itself, it seems!

A final pinch, and then the view. A vast Hunter Valley vista lay before us, in waves of green and blue. Even the most focused looking cyclists stopped for a moment to drink it in. Further down the road, the photographer set up his next shot while I made a nest of blankets in the vineyard grass. Half dozing, I could feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin. This might not have been the way I’d planned my weekend, but it wasn’t exactly a bad place to be.

As the sun rose higher and the air warmed, it was time for a welcome snack break at Myrtle house, generously furnished with scones, jam, lashings of whipped cream, and of course, more coffee. This time, teams rolled out together in clumps of two or three, sharing the work at the front.

Paved roads gave way to dirt and gravel, climbing upward in earnest now. One group stopped on the roadside to fix a flat tyre, telling jokes to pass the time.

As individual riders started to struggle and drop back, their teammates slowed, offering encouragement. ‘Just a little bit

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Before I knew it, the event was over, the last riders rolling in to the pub to load up a plate and lift a glass in camaraderie. I was ready to lift my (non-alcoholic) glass with them. I may not have done the ride today, but this was my community all the same. A sisterhood of shared passion. At the end of the weekend as I drove home to exchange one set of stairs for another, I smiled as my WhatsApp chat dinged, and dinged again..

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Don't Die

WONDERING

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL EYB WWW.LIFEBEHINDBARS.ROCKS/BLOG

I peered out the window of the airliner down to the vast continent below me. The Great Australian Bight stretched as far as I could see and the rising sun’s rays reflected off the ocean's rippling waves, dazzling my eyes. In the belly of the aeroplane, nestled amongst all the other passengers’ luggage was Jake, my bicycle. Soon enough we’d both be back here but not at 36,000 feet. Instead, we’d be riding across Australia on our greatest adventure yet.

Seems a bit extreme? 5,500 kilometres alone with nothing but my bike, what it's carrying and a credit card? Maybe, but to me it was a natural progression on the trail I’d been riding for a while now. Despite this, I’m not some kind of super-athlete. I’m actually just a daydreamer with a family and a job. I’m just like you. But are we really the same?

I’ve been a bike nut and dreamer since I rode my first pushie as a toddler. One of my earliest dreams was to ride 300 kilometres from my hometown of Taree to Sydney and cross the Harbour Bridge under my own steam. I used to fantasise about big adventures but I always ended up thinking, ‘Maybe I’ll do that someday’. Fortunately, in 2010 I had an epiphany.

I had organised and completed a 24 hour bicycle -ride fundraiser for a workmate’s grandson who had cancer. During this time, I realised that life is fragile and, even more profoundly, that I could die at any time. Immediately, I knew I didn’t want to die wondering about all the things I’d dreamt of but never done.

From then on my personal motto was ‘Don’t Die Wondering’, a mantra that has grown to shape my life in incredible ways. I still have a day job and spend valuable time with my loving family but occasionally I cast off the workaday clothes and become a long distance cyclist.

My first ride was to Ballina over three days for a mountain bike race. Then to Sydney just to see if I could. Then I competed in the Tour Divide, a 4,711 kilometre mountain bike race from Banff in Canada to the Mexican border.

We crossed the Continental Divide 34 times, climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest six times. Then I towed a mountain bike behind me on a trailer for 615 kilometres to Canberra, competed in a 24 hour bike race and rode back home afterwards.

Undertaking these challenges took more money than I care to acknowledge. It also took lots of preparation, planning, training and of course the blessing of my very understanding wife and kids! Regardless, three tiny things allowed me to attempt them all - those words, ‘Don’t Die Wondering’.

And now my latest challenge was ahead of me. It was called the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. It was an unsupported single stage race from Fremantle to Sydney via the Nullarbor Plain, Adelaide, Melbourne, the Australian Alps and Canberra. We had to carry everything we needed or buy it along the way.

There were no designated rest stops or daily targets. The winner would be the person who rode the fastest for the longest amount of time and stopped the shortest.

I had no chance of winning. My goal was just to finish and I only had 20 days in which to do it due to unavoidable commitments.

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That meant a daily average of 275 kilometres which I assessed was achievable thanks to my training and previous experience.

But these races have a way of testing you. For fourteen days I battled driving rain, energy sapping headwinds, debilitating chaffing, pavement-melting heat waves, 200 kilometre stretches without resupply and dangerous traffic conditions. I rode 2,757 kilometres all the way to Adelaide, an average of 230 kilometres a day. Do the maths - unable to finish the race in 20 days, I pulled the pin and flew home.

Did I fail though? I experienced sublime sunrises and impossibly starry night skies. I ate burgers with new friends at Roadhouses in the middle of nowhere. I rode Australia’s longest straight, all alone in the dead of night on my birthday. I’d actually won my race before crossing the start line because I decided not to die wondering.

So are you and I actually the same? That depends on how you answer this question: ‘Do I want to die wondering?’. Regardless of our definition of true adventure we all have the chance to experience it - all you need is your own permission. Simple.

Oh, and by the way, I still haven’t ridden from home and actually crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge by bike. Suppose I’d better start planning because my wife doesn’t want to die wondering either and I think she might want to come with me.

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THINKIDE OUTS

MANAGING mountainous munchies

If you want to enjoy the outdoors and increase your physical activity while curbing the increased appetite that may accompany it, here are some considerations to keep your appetite in check.

WRITTEN BY KERITH DUNCANSON (PHD) OUR RESIDENT ACCREDITED PRACTICING DIETITIAN

Spending long days out on trails walking, running, hiking or biking can really increase your appetite. Ironically, burning those calories can make it more challenging to take in fewer calories than you burn. You might be day dreaming about delicious foods as you gaze at beautiful scenery or feel a bit deprived when at the end of a hard day of hiking, your reward is a rehydrated meal and a little trail mix! And, it’s easy to fall into the trap of justifying eating whatever you want because you just walked solidly for the whole day.

YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY BALANCE EQUATION: DOES IT ADD UP? Understand your own personal energy balance: document your food intake and energy output on various days of the week and weekend to see whether your energy in and energy out, match up. Some questions to ask yourself: • Does my energy intake and output match up from day to day?

• Do I eat more on more active days and less on less active days? Or the opposite!!

• Do I eat more or less after certain types of activity? (Me: “More after swimming, less after hard running”). Your body reacts to exercise by shifting the blood supply to the muscles that need oxygen at the time, so you may have delayed appetite after hard running while your body readjusts to prioritising digestion.

• Do I eat more on work/weekdays or weekends?

• Do I eat more when stressed/relaxed/tired/happy/sad?

Emotional influences on food intake often out-muscle your innate appetite. Knowing this and being able to recognise it is the first step towards managing it.

If you notice some ‘red flags’ after answering the above questions, there might be some solutions you can think of yourself or you might benefit from consulting with a sports dietician to help you balance your energy equation. www.sportsdietitians.com.au

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FOOD SATIATION, FOOD SATIETY AND FOOD SATISFACTION: NOT ALL THE SAME THING These three words sound similar but they have very different roles in appetite management. Satiation is how much a food or meal fills you up immediately after eating, satiety is how long it keep you feeling full and satisfaction is how well that food or meal satisfied you from an enjoyment perspective. Here are some examples to help you differentiate: You eat a Chinese meal and feel really full afterwards but then are hungry an hour later. This meal provides high satiation but low satiety – because all that rice fills you up but has a high glycaemia index (GI) so it doesn’t keep you full for long. We can use high satiation foods to good effect when we are ‘starving’ after a long day outdoors. For example, having a bowl of soup or a vegetable juice when returning home can curb your appetite. These foods provide high satiation due to the fluid content and also help to rehydrate you – ‘win win’.

You eat two salad sandwiches for lunch and feel starving an hour later or have one salad sandwich with some lean chicken filling and are still not hungry three hours later. The difference here is satiety, this time because the protein in the chicken takes lon-

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ger to digest than bread and salad, so your body feels fuller longer. This is actually the whole premise behind higher protein, lower carb diets. The calorie content of carbohydrate and protein is exactly the same (4 calories per gram) but protein requires about ¼ of its calories for digestion whereas carbs are quicker and easier to break down. This means a higher protein, lower carb ‘diet’ can be more filling for equal calorie intake and therefore help curb appetite.

What about food satisfaction? Well, the best way I can explain this is – you know when you are trying to be ‘healthy’ and you avoid a sweet treat after dinner, but eat your way around the kitchen – pantry, fridge, fruit bowl – but still don’t feel satisfied. Then you succumb to a single square of chocolate and can get on with your life. That is satisfaction. Sometimes, it is better to (mindfully and guiltlessly) eat the square or two of chocolate, enjoy it and move on. It is important to have a ‘diet’ based on predominantly ‘healthy’ foods but it is also healthy to be able to include foods that are highly satisfying in moderation – that wonderful word we explored back in issue 3 (pull it out as a refresher!).

If you look for something sweet after you have just eaten dinner, you are not after satiety or satiation, you are after pure food satisfaction. Enjoy ‘something sweet’ responsibly!

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CHICKEN, LEEK AND SAGE PIE WITH A SPELT PASTRY CRUST Nothing is more enticing to me than a nourishing savoury pie. A good pie should be a delicious food surprise, containing mouthfuls of flavour, texture, warmth and comfort. I serve mine with home-made sweet potato wedges and/or a green salad.

SERVES 6 NUTRITION V & GF

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1. To make the pastry, combine

time, stirring until smooth after each

Pastry:

the flour, butter and salt in a food

addition, until all the stock has been

2 ½ cups (300g) white spelt flour

processor and process in short bursts

added and a smooth thick sauce has

125g cold butter, cut in cubes

until crumbly (alternatively combine in

formed. Stir in the sage, season with

pinch sea salt

a bowl and use your finger tips to rub

salt and pepper and cook a further

100ml chilled water

together). Add almost all the water

10 minutes on a low heat, stirring

Filling:

and process in a few short bursts until

occasionally.

1 tbsp olive oil

evenly moistened. Add remaining

1 onion, finely diced

5. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C

water only if required.

fan forced) and grease the top rim of 6

2. Gather the dough together into a

x 1 cup (250ml) capacity pie dishes.

ball, wrap in non-stick baking paper

6. Fill each dish with an even amount

and refrigerate while you make the

of chicken filling (approx. 1 cup

filling.

(250ml) filling per pie). Allow to cool.

3. To make the filling, warm the olive

Meanwhile, divide the dough into six

oil in a large pot. Gently saute the

even pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll

onion and leeks on a medium heat for

each piece of dough out on the non-

2-3 minutes. Increase the heat to high,

stick baking paper it was wrapped in,

add the chicken pieces, and cook for

to about 3mm thick and to the size of

5-7 minutes until sealed all over. Add

your pie dish.

the white wine and cook a further 2

GF Option

7. Top each pie with a pastry lid. Brush

minutes. Reduce to a medium heat,

the pastry tops with lightly beaten egg

add the flour and cook for a further

For pastry use a ready-made gluten-free pastry and in the pie substitute flour for brown rice flour.

then place fresh sage leaves on the

minute, stirring continuously.

centre. Bake for 20 minutes or until

4. Add the warm stock a little at a

pastry is golden.

2 leeks, halved, cleaned and finely sliced 1kg chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and roughly diced ½ cup (125ml) white wine ½ cup (75g) unbleached plain flour 2 cups (500ml) chicken stock, warmed 1 bunch of sage, leaves finely chopped (keep 12 leaves for decorating pie tops) sea salt and ground white pepper, to taste 1 egg, for glazing

SPECIAL THANKS

©Jane Grover – Recipe from Jane’s cookbook: Our Delicious Adventure – Recipes and Stories of Food and Travel w: www.janegrover.net

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BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH POTATO AND PARSNIP CREAM Secondary cuts of meat like lamb shanks are best cooked slowly, delivering a wonderful depth of flavour and tenderness to the dish. Paired here with a simple, creamy mash of potato and parsnip which compliments the succulent lamb perfectly. This is real comfort food!

SERVES 6 NUTRITION GF

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C

large saucepan and cover with cold

6 lamb shanks

fan forced).

water. Bring to the boil and cook for 5

2. Season the lamb shanks with salt

minutes. Turn down to a simmer and

pinch of sea salt pinch of ground white pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup rosemary leaves 8 small garlic cloves, skin on 1 red onion, finely sliced 1 cup (250ml) red wine

and pepper. Heat a large flameproof casserole dish on the stove, over a medium heat and add olive oil to the pot to warm. Place lamb shanks into the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they are

2 cups (500ml) beef stock

brown all over.

(see basics page 31) 1 bay leaf

3. Add the rosemary, garlic, onion

1 tsp sea salt

and red wine. Cook for 1 minute to

Potato and parsnip cream:

deglaze the pan.

600g potatoes, peeled and chopped

4. Add the stock, bay leaf and salt, put

300g parsnips, peeled and chopped

the lid on and cook for 5 minutes.

3 tbsp butter or olive oil 1/2 cup (125ml) milk 1/2 cup (125ml) cream 1 tsp sea salt

cook for 30 minutes until tender in the centres. Drain the cooking water and return the saucepan to the stove on a medium heat. Add the butter, milk, cream and salt, and mash to a creamy puree. You can either do this with a hand masher in the saucepan, or for a silky creamy texture, in a food processor or blender. Keep warm.

7. Remove the casserole dish from the oven, transfer lamb shanks to a plate and keep warm. Place the casserole dish over medium heat and cook for

5. Place the dish, with the lid on, into

5 minutes to reduce and thicken the

the oven. Cook for 1 hour then reduce

sauce.

the heat to 160°C (140°C fan forced)

8. Serve each lamb shank on a bed of

for a further 2 hours .

potato and parsnip cream, covered

6. Place the potato and parsnip in a

with a ladle of the sauce.

Parsnips are taproots from the carrot family of root vegetables. Parsnips are creamy white in colour, with a sweet, nutty taste. Cook them as you would a potato, although this versatile vegetable can also be baked, steamed, or fried. A popular ingredient in soups, casseroles and stews, parsnips add a rich and subtle sweet flavour. Parsnips are high in vitamins and minerals, notably potassium, as well as antioxidants and dietary fibre.

SPECIAL THANKS

©Jane Grover – Recipe from Jane’s cookbook: Our Delicious Adventure – Recipes and Stories of Food and Travel w: www.janegrover.net

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SWEET POTATO WEDGES Not only are sweet potatoes readily available, inexpensive, and delicious, they also have many health benefits. My mouth waters at the thought of these wholesome home style wedges and it seems no matter how many you make it is never enough!

SERVES 1 BOWL NUTRITION V & GF

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan forced).

¼ cup coconut oil

2. Wash sweet potatoes to remove any dirt. Leaving the skins on, cut into evenly sized

2-3 sweet potato (approx. 800g)

wedges.

sea salt, to taste

3. In a large pot of boiling water, using a steamer basket, steam the wedges for 10 minutes or until tender in the centres.

4. Place the steamed wedges into a baking tray with the coconut oil, sprinkle with sea

Sweet Potato

salt to taste. Bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes, turning the wedges over after the first

is a large, sweet-tasting starchy tuberous root vegetable. The edible tuberous roots are long and tapered, with a smooth skin ranging in colour between orange, yellow, red, purple, brown and beige.

Rich in vitamins B6, C and D, they are also high in magnesium, iron, potassium and carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet tasting, but their natural sugars are gradually released into the bloodstream, ensuring a balanced energy source minus the blood sugar spikes associated with weight gain and fatigue.

(Alternatively you can pan fry or deep-fry the steamed wedges until golden.)

10 minutes to ensure they are golden on both sides. Serve warm.

SPECIAL THANKS

©Jane Grover – Recipe from Jane’s cookbook: Our Delicious Adventure – Recipes and Stories of Food and Travel w: www.janegrover.net

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TRAVEL PLAYreLIVE ctory

di

MUST DO EVENTS Tick off your bucket list and discover your wilder side with our hand picked recommendations

SOCIAL SCENE All the latest news from our Aussie adventure girls in action

TPL DIRECTORY Look no further for all your adventurous needs & desires

INSTA LOVE TAG US TO SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES @travelplaylivemagazine #travelplaylive

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SOCIALSCENE Belinda Jane Dolan in Cappradocia after returning

Women Want Adventure.

from the Sahara Desert.

Women Want Adventure are a community of women who bond over pitching a tent around a fire and hiking up mountains. Their mission is to empower, inspire and connect women through outdoor adventure, support the conservation of the outdoors, and inspire a movement in female exploration.

KIRSTY RANDALL "I went on my first sailing trip and hung off the side of the yacht to keep our speed up in a race & the head sail out at the best angle for the wind!"

CHICKS IN THE STICKS. Kelly Herbert spent the weekend at Chicks in the Sticks Annual weekend, horse riding with girlfriends at Camp Cobark Gloucester NSW

Behind the scenes.

Behind the scenes at our Travel Play Live shoot with Summit Ambassadors Sam Gash and Hayley Talbot

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THE FORSTER TURTLES showing their Travel Play Live love at the 2017 UTA in the Blue Mountains.

UTA SNAP. Travel Play Live's Kez and Ultrarunner Kellie Emmerson at the UTA

UTA 22.

The Canberra contingent Carrie, Renee, Liz, Cheryl Trish.

REAL SPIRIT. It is ALL about community and supporting each other through life and adventure. Love this story from TPl Team Star Monique and fellow participant Tracy at this years UTA in the Blue Mountains.

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must donts

DISCOVER YOUR WILDER SIDE

eve

WILD WOMEN ADVENTURE OVERDOSE:

THE 2017 DIRTY GIRLS ADVENTURE FILM TOUR

Type: Film viewing Date: 26th June - 27th July 2017 dirtygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au Travel Play Live is proud to have partnered with the Dirty Girls Adventure Film Tour. Consider it adventure therapy: 90 minutes of the best female outdoor and adventure sports films in the world, curated for your kicks, at any one of 10 screenings across 8 Australian towns this July.

Born out of a desire to showcase the strong, inspirational, adventurous women of the outdoor world, the Dirty Girls Adventure Film Tour brought to you by Travel Play Live presents a carefully curated selection of 9 short films that will entertain, enthrall and enlighten.

Self-prescribed escapism, come celebrate these wonderful wild women who don’t mind getting a little dirty in their pursuit of adventure.

See the website for times.

TOUR DATES: Sydney East 17 July – Randwick Ritz Sydney North 18 July – Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne Byron Bay 18 July - Byron Bay Theatre Brisbane 19 July - Eldorado Cinemas Newcastle 20 July – Tower Cinemas Avoca 21 July – Avoca Beach Picture Theatre Gold Coast 24 July – The Arts Centre, The Gold Coast Wollongong 25 July - Anita's Theatre Adelaide 25 July – The Capri Theatre Melbourne 26 July - Village Crown Cinemas Canberra 27 July – National Film and Sound Archives Hobart 27 July – Farrall Centre, The Friends School

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TAIL RUNNER

Oxfam Trailwalker Type: Team Trekking Locations: Sydney, Perth & Melbourne Sydney: 25th -27th August 2017 Perth: 22nd -24th September 2017 Melbourne: 23rd -25th March 2018 trailwalker.oxfam.org.au Oxfam Trailwalker is an inspiring and challenging team trekking event that challenges poverty and changes lives. Including yours!

With three team mates you will journey through 100km within 48 hours.

Some states now also offer alternate distances – 50km or 55km within 24 hours.

It’s not a relay. Your team starts together, sticks together and finishes together. It’s tough, but with the right training and attitude it’s rewarding, we promise. The feeling when you cross the finish line will be something you’ll never forget. For years Oxfam Trailwalker has been a catalyst for a more active lifestyle for many an adventurous woman.

Not just a tough physical and mental challenge — Oxfam Trailwalker is also a rewarding fundraising challenge raising money to help fight

Type: Trail Running Location: Riverwood Downs, Monkerai NSW Date: 23nd & 23rd July 2017 tailrunner.events Australia’s newest and most unique timed trail running event where the whole family can enter, including the family dog.

This event includes 3 distances to choose from 15km, 30km and 4km relay. The event is held at Riverwood Downs, a magnificent, multi award winning 750 acre property on the banks of a mountain river in the foothills of Barrington Tops “World Heritage Wilderness” located in a beautiful rural area known as the Monkerai Valley between the towns of Stroud and Gloucester.

The open age 4km event is open to a Team Relay, consisting of a team of 4 people (with or without dogs) running 4km each. Registration fee is a donation to Herd2Homes Working Dog Rescue. All finishers get a finishing medal, including your dog

poverty around the world.

Wildside Adventure Race Expedition Edition Type: Adventure Racing

Location: Canberra ACT Date: 30th September - 7th October www.wildsideadventurerace.com.au The Wildside Adventure Race Expedition Edition is back. Fully Rad Adventures is presenting its premier adventure event taking it to a brand new location – Canberra, ACT. Adventure Racing is multiple disciplines combined with navigation in remote locations with teams of 2, 3 or 4. Races often include trekking, paddling, mountain biking, swimming, rope work; however they can have any number of other sports as team’s journey across a course navigating from control point to control point. Expedition style races are the pinnacle of the sport. They are multi day and discipline adventures taking teams across long distances and varied landscapes. This is the ultimate in endurance racing. Teams race day and night navigating across landscapes collecting checkpoints while managing their own supplies and implementing sleep and nutrition strategies. They must be prepared for anything and be able to operate in harsh remote environments. WildsideAR this year is the Australian leg of the Outdoor Race World Tour and Race 4 of the Australian Adventure Racing Series. This will up the ante with teams as they vie for points in the National and International series. If you are looking for a great big adventure then this is it.

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The outdoor specialist for Barrington Tops adventures

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Riverview Cottage at The Steps

ADVENTURE TOURS Barrington Outdoor Adventures

Peaceful accommodation near Gloucester in a self-contained holiday house by the Barrington River.

Contemporary holiday accommodation above the Barrington River at The Steps. Sleeps up to 11 people with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan living & deck with views.

Adventure tours by canoe, kayak or mountain bike near World Heritage Barrington Tops.

Join a guided white water adventure by canoe or kayak on the Barrington River or by mountain bike across high green forests. Equipment hire also available for you to paddle at your own pace.

www.thestepsbarrington.com.au

SCHOOL GROUPS Barrington Outdoor Education

www.boac.com.au

CAMPING The Steps of Girrba Campground

Syllabus-specific programs for school camps, outdoor education & Duke of Edinburgh Award.

30 years experience & unbeatable local knowledge.

Try white water canoeing & kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, abseiling, orienteering, survival skills & more.

www.outdooreducation.net.au Camping like it used to be, at the most picturesque rapids on the Barrington River.

A wilderness camping experience at The Steps Rapids with unspoilt river vistas, hot showers, flushing toilets, fire pits plus 3.5km cross country mountain bike trails.

www.thestepsbarrington.com.au

Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre 126 Thunderbolts Way Gloucester NSW

GEAR SALES & HIRE Random Adventure Gear Shop online or in-store for all your paddling gear and adventure equipment needs.

The best brands for your paddling adventures including Pyranha, Bliss-Stick, Robson, Peak UK plus Kona mountain bikes, regular specials plus great deals on second hand gear.

www.ragear.com.au

Call 02 6558 2093 www.boac.com.au

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MarketPLACE

The latest products & offers from our supporters

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Fuelling the day's adventures and perched on the pristine sands of Main Beach in Forster, Beach Bums is the best spot on the beach for coffee, delicious food and a view that is second to none.

When the temperature drops beyond any sensible level of cold, these thicker, warmer Chaser Leggings are going to be the only thing that stands between you and Mother Nature.

Our Delicious Adventure – Recipes and Stories of Food and Travel, Jane entertains with the family’s travel adventures and her delicious recipes. Available NOW.

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GONE RUNNING TOURS

KEEN

Trail Running holidays in wild destinations.

Friendly group sizes. Supporting runners of all abilities. Choose from Discovery, Moderate & Advanced Tours.

The Gypsum's waterproof material allows for you to adventure through wet areas without risk of getting your socks soaked through. And is perfect for those looking to make day-long or multi- day trips. www.keenfootwear.com.au

www.gonerunningtours.com.au

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ADVENTURE DOG HARNESS

High quality, long lasting and durable. "I have been testing the prototype of this harness on my Ultra Marathon runner Kelpie, we have covered approximately 2400+km in it and we absolutely love it. www.tailrunner.com.au

KEEN

The Winner of the Women’s Whisper Sandal

WIN NER

Valued at over $189 Is Magazine Subscriber

Lauren Burdett from South Australia

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KEEN TO GET OUTDOORS {Photo Competition} For the past few weeks we have been running our #KeenToGetOutdoors photo competition on social media.

Women from across the globe have been sharing their adventure snaps over on social media for their chance to score a pair of Keen Gypsum II Mid Hiking Boot for women!

Photo By Linda Burden & Family at Mount Ngungun in QLD

Some of our Favourites

Fiona Waddington

Apollo Bay - "I fly hanggliders and paragliders and I ride a mountain bike, hike and paddle an ocean ski".Â

Sally Blackburn.

Mt Kosciusko walk before the snow

set in!

MOLLY MARSHALL

"Started the year with a 4 night hike around Wilsons Prom! Here is the view of the beautiful Waterloo Bay! 'Keen' to go back again soon"!Â

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Megan Brown

Three Rondavels in South Africa

MELISSA CARTER Coorong hike

Rachel Frearson

"Sharing the Red Centre trails with my little man who is learning to Mountain bike while I run - love our desert trails"

KEEN GYPSUM II WATERPROOF The Gypsum's waterproof material allows for you to adventure through wet areas without risk of getting your socks soaked through. It's EVA midsole gives arch support that is comfortable on your feet and supportive on your back. This also means that your feet will get tired less quickly, which is perfect for those looking to make day-long or multi- day trips.

This boot also works to protect your foot, as much as it does support it. The Gypsum patented toe protector will allow for you to kick debris out of your way, and it also adds extra support for any bigger obstacles, preventing those bruised toes and toenails. www.keenfootwear.com.au

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Don't Miss Out on Issue 9 - Spring 2017 Head to our website to subscribe NOW www.travelplaylive.com.au/subscribe

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Because some questions Google can't answer.

Photo courtesy of: Spindrift Collections

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