Share The Weight

In 2024, I took on the challenge of my first-ever London Marathon, carrying a 24.7kg wreck bag on my shoulders; my bag of worries, to raise awareness and funds for Samaritans, a charity very close to my heart.

More than just a physical weight, it symbolized the invisible burdens of life that we all carry. The weight that goes unseen by others; the weight of life, trauma, money worries, relationships, work pressure, grief, identity struggles, insecurities, sadness, anxiety, depression, guilt, self-doubt, and the myriad of other complex emotions we face every day. The 24.7kg weight served as a reminder that Samaritans are there 24/7 to help share that weight for anyone struggling to cope.

My goal that day was simple; finish the race and spark conversations about the invisible burdens we all carry. Encouraging people to talk about emotional health and the importance of asking for help. I was only intending to carry my bag of worries until I crossed the finish line that day.

What I didn’t expect was how deeply me “Sharing The Weight” would open up connections with strangers. As people asked about my challenge, I shared my own struggles; drug addiction, infertility, depression, and the pressures of being a middle-aged man, husband, and father. In return, they shared their own stories of anxiety, trauma, grief, and isolation. These raw, emotional, and incredibly meaningful moments of connection between perfect strangers showed me just how much we all carry unseen, and how vital it is to feel seen and supported.

It’s because of these moments that what started as a marathon goal has turned into a mission. Those moments showed me how powerful, and human, it is to ask for help and share the weights on our shoulders. In those conversations it became clear that we all carry hidden burdens and that these worries can also unites us. It’s from those conversations and moments of connection, Share The Weight was born.

My mission with Share the Weight is to ask a million people to help carry the weight on my shoulders—not just to help me, but to crush the stigma that asking for help makes us weak or a burden. I want to show that when we share the weight on our shoulders, amazing things can happen.

Since then, nearly 500 people have joined me on this journey, sharing their stories and helping to lift the burdens of those around them. From festivals and running races to work and social events, I’ve met incredible people and heard stories that are truly inspirational, impactful, and emotional.

This journey has been life-changing. The most profound moments have come from the everyday people I’ve met along the way—those facing their own challenges or simply trying to get through the day. Connecting with those recently bereaved by suicide and those who’ve suffered deep trauma has reinforced with me the belief in the power of connection and the importance of sharing our weight. I’ve seen firsthand that asking for help is not a weakness, but a sign of incredible strength and courage.

Some of the conversations will stay with me forever, and I’m so grateful that people felt safe enough to share their weight with me. Each time someone helps share the weight, I’m reminded of the kindness, openness, and support that exists all around us. What started as a simple idea has grown into something beyond what I could have imagined. Creating moments of connection, reminding us that it’s okay to ask for help.

I’m also SO PROUD that my 10 (going on 20) year old daughter Rhiannon has now become part of this journey. She carries her own 5kg bag of worries, representing the emotional load that young people face today. Together, we want to show that it’s okay to ask for help, that sharing our worries makes the weight feel lighter, and that mental health conversations should start at any age. Asking for help should be a natural and celebrated part of life.

We believe that asking for help isn’t a sign of failure or weakness, but a demonstration of strength and courage that can lead to incredible moments of connection and change.

Over the years, Nuclear Races has been one of the main sources of support for my mental and physical health. Whether through weekly Obstacle Fit or Train with James classes at the Nuclear Wild Forest or the races themselves. It’s given me a much-needed outlet to release stress, clear my mind, stay physically fit and join a community of welcoming, open minded, inclusive people.

Nuclear Races is a place where people come together, support each other, and push through challenges without judgment, regardless of age, ability, or fitness levels. It is more than just an event, it’s a community, and I’m incredibly proud and grateful to now be working with them on this exciting and impactful new event to continue my journey with Share The Weight.

Samaritans

Samaritans’ purpose, to be there for people who are struggling to cope and in times of crisis, is as vital as ever. We make sure people have somewhere to turn and support when they need it most. We work with communities to let people know we’re here for them and we campaign to make suicide prevention a priority.

Giving people time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair.

MWe need to keep adapting and innovating, to provide a safe space for all of those who will need us in the coming decades. To achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide, we also need to do more to broaden our impact in society, working with others to make change that saves lives.

Inspire UK. The Charity

InspireUK was created to allow people suffering with poor mental health issues to get the help they need. Private therapy and counselling is often expensive and unattainable for many. InspireUK – The Charity offers counselling and therapeutic services to individuals through our pool of registered professionals. We are here to offer help to anyone to access the support they need, whilst bridging the gap between affordability and accessibility.

We know that mental health can be tough. We know that finding the right support can be even harder. We never want you to be alone.

YANA – Rural Mental Health Support

Help for those involved in agriculture and other rural businesses affected by stress and depression. Working in agriculture and the countryside is usually a good way of life but it is a demanding and stressful occupation. So, it’s not surprising that many people involved with agriculture can feel isolated, depressed or unable to cope as well as normal. 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience poor mental health so it is important to know that you, or the person you are concerned about, are not alone.

WThings can get difficult but with help it doesn’t have to stay that way