Taking on the challenge of a lifetime is more than just a physical triumph. Cycling 50 days, back-to-back, averaging a huge 285km per day to accomplish the goal of cycling around Australia, an incredible display of physical and mental endurance. Ben and Jay both originated in the UK, but have found themselves on the Australian shores for the past 6 years. Having both played competitive rugby growing up, they have continued their passion for physical activity throughout their adulthood, engaging in bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting and a raft of other activities. January 2020 was a dark time for most of the globe with Covid-19 talking hold, travel was becoming more and more difficult, and the impending ‘lockdown’ looked inevitable. It was in these circumstances that Boomerang Loop Australia was born. Both Ben and Jay have found inspiration from people performing incredible feats. Whether that means climbing 14 mountain peaks in 7 months, or Cycling the pan American highway in under 100 days. It was this inspiration that made them look to the biggest possible challenge that they could do within the foreseeable restrictions. This was cycling, 14,251km around Australia! It was known at the inception that doing this challenge would be difficult from a physical point of view, however it became very clear from the outset of the training that this was far more of a psychological battle, rather than a physical one. With Jay having struggled with his own personal mental health and Ben having witnessed the impact of mental health difficulties upon his loved ones, the connection to how this challenge could positively impact mental health more broadly became obvious. Keeping this at the forefront of their minds, Boomerang Loop Australia made contact with Mindful Australia to dedicate any of the challenge donations to support their incredible work within the community. ‘People go about their day to day struggling with their own personal mental health battles. What we did was nothing in comparison to what many are going through.’ This lap of Australia is tested the boys like nothing else. It required immense physical capability, character and a steely resilience to succeed in their journey.
Taking on the challenge of a lifetime is more than just a physical triumph. Cycling 50 days, back-to-back, averaging a huge 285km per day to accomplish the goal of cycling around Australia, an incredible display of physical and mental endurance. Ben and Jay both originated in the UK, but have found themselves on the Australian shores for the past 6 years. Having both played competitive rugby growing up, they have continued their passion for physical activity throughout their adulthood, engaging in bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting and a raft of other activities.
January 2020 was a dark time for most of the globe with Covid-19 talking hold, travel was becoming more and more difficult, and the impending ‘lockdown’ looked inevitable. It was in these circumstances that Boomerang Loop Australia was born. Both Ben and Jay have found inspiration from people performing incredible feats. Whether that means climbing 14 mountain peaks in 7 months, or Cycling the pan American highway in under 100 days. It was this inspiration that made them look to the biggest possible challenge that they could do within the foreseeable restrictions. This was cycling, 14,251km around Australia!
It was known at the inception that doing this challenge would be difficult from a physical point of view, however it became very clear from the outset of the training that this was far more of a psychological battle, rather than a physical one. With Jay having struggled with his own personal mental health and Ben having witnessed the impact of mental health difficulties upon his loved ones, the connection to how this challenge could positively impact mental health more broadly became obvious. Keeping this at the forefront of their minds, Boomerang Loop Australia made contact with Mindful Australia to dedicate any of the challenge donations to support their incredible work within the community. ‘People go about their day to day struggling with their own personal mental health battles. What we did was nothing in comparison to what many are going through.’ This lap of Australia is tested the boys like nothing else. It required immense physical capability, character and a steely resilience to succeed in their journey.
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Sponsor Discounts
Use the code 'HAYDEN10' for 10% Off VPA Australia Supplements
Discount also available at: www.vpa.com.au/HAYDEN10
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Boomerang Loop Links
To learn more, or donate, visit: www.boomerangloopau.com.au/
To learn more about the work of Mindful Australia, visit: www.mindfullaus.org/
Black Dog Institute, visit: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Lifeline, visit: www.lifelinedirect.org.au
David Goggins cookie jar analogy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEg1SG1TOr4
Follow @boomerangloopau on instagram and facebook
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Hayden Kelly, ESSAM, AES, AEP, MHPS
Host of the NORMLESS podcast
Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Website: www.haydenkelly.com.au
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