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Downloaded from
YTS.MX

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- The MDS is one of the most iconic

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ultra races in the world.

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It's the one race that a lot of

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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX

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multi-day ultramarathons base themselves on.

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(typing clicks)

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(dramatic music)

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The margins are so small,
on whether you finish or don't.

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(dramatic music)

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- It's renowned as the hardest foot race on earth.

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- There is always the risk
that something could happen.

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You have to make sure
everything is in place, just in case.

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- Every part of me wants to stop

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and I can't cool down.

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- There's one goal

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and it's to get from A to B, as quickly as possible.

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And ideally not die halfway through it.

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(dramatic music)

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- One simple mistake here, your race is over.

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- Everything's about extremities.

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One of the major systems for me,

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is this all or nothing approach.

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Basically, the more I mess myself up,

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the longer I feel better.

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(laughs)

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(dramatic music)

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(groans)

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(mixer whirrs)

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- [Child] I did it!

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- [Child] No you didn't.

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- Arthur, you want the first one?

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- [Arthur] Yeah.

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- Do you like making your pancakes?

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- I do, I like making pancakes.

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So, I've known Simon for,

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probably, nearly five years.

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I found out he was into running,

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probably within the first five minutes

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of my interview with him.

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- It was quite clear from first meeting him

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that he's all or nothing.

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You know, he's all in, basically, with everything.

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- After knowing Simon, he does have those, kind of,

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attributes, whereby, if he wants something,

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he will go out and get it.

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- So I first met Simon in Peru, on our jungle ultra.

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I think it was his first multi-day, at the time.

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So it was a big step up for him.

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He started off as a client and he's become

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a really good friend of mine over the years.

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- My name's Simon Blair, I'm a business owner.

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I was diagnosed with a ADHD, middle of last year.

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It's been a journey since then.

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But I've got three children and I'm an ultra runner.

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- So the Marathon des Sables is the one in the desert.

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- Oh.

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I don't want you to do that.

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- Why don't you want me to do that?

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- Because you're gonna be gone for, like, ever.

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- I'm gonna be gone forever?

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- Yeah.

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Taking forever.

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- Actually, daddy probably doesn't know, when he's away,

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what do we do when we come home from school

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and before we leave?

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What do we do on the computer?

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- We look where you are.

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- [Faye] We track where you are.

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- So you look at where my little dot is moving.

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- [Faye] Yeah.

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- Yeah.

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- [Faye] And panic when it hasn't moved.

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- Yeah.

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Or it's in the wrong place.

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- I don't think he's gonna make it to the finish line.

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He can make it close.

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- Why do you not think that daddy's gonna make it?

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- He didn't make the last one.

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(Simon laughs)

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- 'Cause you didn't make the last one.

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I think what Flo is trying to say,

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is, that she thinks you will make it

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but if you don't, that that's okay too.

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Is that right Flora?

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- Yeah, definitely.

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- In 2021, post-pandemic,

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I went and tried to complete the Marathon des Sables.

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But I think, with some honesty,

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I probably wasn't quite mentally match fit.

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I think it's taken me this long to build myself up

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to a point where I feel mentally resilient enough

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to go back to the scene of the original crime.

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- There's always a danger in terms of doing these

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kind of things.

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As his family's concerned,

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I would've thought that Faye
is probably the one who's got

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the most, sort of, issues over it.

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- A big concern for me, is,

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Simon being filmed while doing this.

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It's like an extra pressure.

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And when he starts his run, we have no contact at all.

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It is just relying on the tracker to see where he is.

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I am not settled until he is past that finish line

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and then I'm like, fine.

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I worry.

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The children miss him.

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- I think when people think
about deserts, they think about,

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you know, rolling sand dunes and sandstorms.

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Some things are far more
terrifying than sandstorms

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and rolling sand dunes.

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Nothingness is more scary than that.

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- People with Simon's personality type,

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with Simon's brain, need this.

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They need this in their life, to be able to function

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and to be the best version of themselves.

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To keep pushing and keep succeeding.

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- About five or six years ago, I took on therapy.

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I woke up one day and I just didn't feel great.

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I, you know, had that brain fog

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and that veil of, just a shade over my normal lens,

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you know, my positive lens.

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And I, you know, I went and sought therapy

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and some advice, straight away.

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For me, it's been the best thing

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that I've ever done, really, for myself.

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- So Simon's diagnosis came about

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because I'd been doing a
lot of mental health education

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with his team.

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So he'd got to know and trust me.

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He recognized that he can be
quite impulsive and energetic

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and that's been a real strength at work.

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But at times it meant that he was distracted

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or struggled to focus or other people would say,

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you know, "You're not paying attention.

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You forget details and things, you know".

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It's hard sometimes to be
all over the detail of things.

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- But her opening up that discussion, for me,

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led to me getting tested.

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Not surprisingly, it came back fairly clear.

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- I think it was both a shock and not a shock, really.

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- I think he was relieved, actually.

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I think he knew.

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I think it was just having a label,

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so he could say, right, now I understand.

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- I think ADHD has been a part of my character

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for as long as my memories go back.

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It's only just recently that I've realized

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how central to my being that that is.

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- Yeah, I think it made sense of a lot of things for him.

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- The results have been around
the idea of understanding.

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There aren't solutions.

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There's no solutions.

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I think, you know, taking drugs

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to try and help certain
byproducts of ADHD, is an option.

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I haven't explored that.

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For me, it's given me a much
greater understanding about

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who I am.

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It's just confirmed something that I probably,

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subconsciously already knew.

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And now I'm embracing
that, as like a central principle

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to what I am.

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(dramatic music)

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- It's interesting to think, why would Simon,

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who's really successful at work,

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want to punish himself out in the desert?

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But, my understanding, just as a spectator,

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you know, these ultramarathons,
is, it's a real chance to,

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kind of, almost take yourself right to the edge.

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To find out what you're capable of.

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To really find out where,

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you know, failure lies.

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And that's very healthy for the ego.

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It's really good for the ego to be tested in that way.

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- Search for balance is now become what

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I'm aspiring to try and find and retain.

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But, I can't, a lot of the time

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because it's just not natural for that to happen.

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So the extremities of what
ADHD can do to you mentally,

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is that it pulls you one way or the other,

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just in the most fierce ways.

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- He's always gonna be a driven guy

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and this is just a vessel to keep that drive going.

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(gentle music)

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- Part of me dreads this event.

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Looking down those long straits

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and visualizing the sand dunes and

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just the memories of the overwhelming heat.

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- He was facing, probably one of the hottest years

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that race has ever had.

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It was a flip of a coin,

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as to whether he was going to finish.

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In any race, in extreme heat.

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There's a few things that
kinda jump out straight away.

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The Sahara Desert, the Namib Desert,

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can often go, 45, 50 degree heat.

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With that comes real risk of death

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by, heat stroke, dehydration.

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And it can happen extremely quickly.

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- I had the unfortunate experience of

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running next to this guy,
running almost parallel to him,

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when he was collapsing repeatedly.

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I went to help him.

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There were some other people there who were doctors.

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10, 15 minutes later, I saw
a helicopter fly over my head.

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There was a very solemn, somber
announcement that evening.

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It was announced he'd died,

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as a result of being on the course.

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- I was messaging the company,
going, "Is Simon Blair okay?

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I'm Simon Blair's wife".

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I hadn't heard anything.

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- It was playing on my mind a great deal.

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'Cause I was already extremely tired

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and I had nothing left to give,

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without taking some serious risks.

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And I decided that the best thing for me,

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would be to go home.

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- When he rang me and said,

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"I'm not gonna carry on", I burst into tears

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'cause I knew what he would be like if he didn't do it.

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- I'd never seen him like that,

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after he got back from the MDS with that failure.

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I'd never seen that Simon before.

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That was unusual to witness, as a friend.

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- As a family, we kept saying

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how proud we were of him, regardless.

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But, after the Marathon des
Sables, he was really quite low.

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- Anyone with ADHD, which I also have, will know that,

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you know, that we've all got this, kind of, fixation

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on certain things and obsessions.

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And, you know, running in
ultramarathon's are one of his.

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And, I think, him actually pulling out,

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is probably braver than continuing.

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So I think, actually, full credit to him for going,

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do you know what, this is getting dangerous,

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now I'm gonna pull it.

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- I suppose, I was actually proud that he stopped.

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Because, although I wanted him to continue,

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I mean, that would've been
really dangerous and very stupid.

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- The whole process is quite long

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and, you know, all the measuring out of

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various powders and potions.

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And then you see it in this form

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and you're, kind of, like, yeah, okay.

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We're kind of, one step closer to being ready to go

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with day one.

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- A lot of sweets.

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- Lots of sweets, yes, day one, day two, day three,

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day four, day five and day six.

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And a little medical stuff.

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- Just in case you get hurt.

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- Just in case you get hurt, yes.

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- The first bit really is the, it's the logistics.

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You hear stories and jokes about people

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cutting their toothbrush in half.

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But people do.

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Because it saves you a few grams.

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It's a huge commitment.

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- Oh, yes, that's perfect.

260
00:10:48,383 --> 00:10:49,968
- There's a lot of planning

261
00:10:50,010 --> 00:10:52,638
that goes into the successful completion of a race.

262
00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:54,828
People with ADHD are often great in a crisis

263
00:10:54,870 --> 00:10:55,908
but not so good in something

264
00:10:55,950 --> 00:10:57,573
that needs a lot of preparation.

265
00:11:00,499 --> 00:11:02,521
- I've got a lost box.

266
00:11:02,563 --> 00:11:03,453
Memory.

267
00:11:03,495 --> 00:11:05,418
You know, memory and retention,

268
00:11:05,460 --> 00:11:07,128
forgetting where I put things.

269
00:11:07,170 --> 00:11:10,878
I often forget my children's birthdays.

270
00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:12,318
I just don't remember.

271
00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:15,438
- The memory issues around ADHD are brutal.

272
00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:17,748
A surprising number of
people find themselves getting

273
00:11:17,790 --> 00:11:19,158
an ADHD diagnosis.

274
00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,318
They've actually gone to the GP saying,

275
00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:22,488
I think I might have dementia.

276
00:11:22,530 --> 00:11:24,288
Yeah, memory issues are really common.

277
00:11:24,330 --> 00:11:26,366
- I think, also, he's got so much going on in his head.

278
00:11:26,408 --> 00:11:28,098
He goes from one thing to another.

279
00:11:28,140 --> 00:11:29,958
So trying to, kind of, keep up with him

280
00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,088
and keep him focused on what he's doing,

281
00:11:32,130 --> 00:11:34,188
at one thing at a time, well, it's quite hard.

282
00:11:34,230 --> 00:11:36,558
- The biggest problem he'll have,

283
00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,068
is that he's turning his world upside down

284
00:11:40,110 --> 00:11:41,328
to get this done.

285
00:11:41,370 --> 00:11:43,689
- [Faye] He's extremely messy.

286
00:11:43,731 --> 00:11:45,198
(Faye laughs)

287
00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,148
- Being CEO of a company

288
00:11:47,190 --> 00:11:48,978
and you're running an ultramarathon,

289
00:11:49,020 --> 00:11:52,818
they are not two things, they easily combine.

290
00:11:52,860 --> 00:11:55,158
A lot of people with ADHD,

291
00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,678
they've put in, sometimes, knowingly,

292
00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:01,728
sometimes, unknowingly,
scaffolding and strategies

293
00:12:01,770 --> 00:12:04,008
that have them doing well.

294
00:12:04,050 --> 00:12:07,248
- He has got very good at writing, like,

295
00:12:07,290 --> 00:12:08,748
a spreadsheet, that he follows.

296
00:12:08,790 --> 00:12:10,098
So he will send me that spreadsheet

297
00:12:10,140 --> 00:12:11,478
and we just have to tick it off.

298
00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:15,978
- If you don't put it in place,
with real knowledge of self,

299
00:12:16,020 --> 00:12:19,638
it's too finely balanced, not to fail.

300
00:12:19,680 --> 00:12:22,188
- To get ready for any of these things, sacrifices a lot.

301
00:12:22,230 --> 00:12:24,558
And the support network around Simon

302
00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:25,518
is also gonna feel it.

303
00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:28,398
His work colleagues, his
family, it's all encompassing

304
00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,158
and, kind of, just consumes your life.

305
00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:32,988
- In the run up to these events, you know,

306
00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:35,835
I'm running and focusing on other things

307
00:12:35,877 --> 00:12:40,773
and my emotional and physical
time just isn't as present.

308
00:12:43,710 --> 00:12:46,968
One of the downsides of ADHD is that it can make you

309
00:12:47,010 --> 00:12:50,118
so intent on getting to your objective,

310
00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:54,207
that actually, it can be
difficult for people around that.

311
00:12:54,249 --> 00:12:56,574
When you're fully hyper-focused.

312
00:12:56,616 --> 00:12:59,199
(gentle music)

313
00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,648
- There's a lot of problems
that Simon will face, with ADHD.

314
00:13:03,690 --> 00:13:07,098
But actually, when preparing
for these sorts of events,

315
00:13:07,140 --> 00:13:09,798
there are a lot of things that could fall in his favor.

316
00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:11,778
The focus and the obsession with something,

317
00:13:11,820 --> 00:13:14,118
is definitely gonna help him.

318
00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:15,918
It's definitely helped him in the past.

319
00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:19,458
- When you have three children and then, holidays,

320
00:13:19,500 --> 00:13:20,868
when they're not at school, it's quite hard.

321
00:13:20,910 --> 00:13:23,598
So, I think, actually, to start with, I was a bit like,

322
00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:25,758
well, it's a bit of a desperate measure

323
00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:27,466
to take a break from your family.

324
00:13:27,508 --> 00:13:28,299
(Faye laughs)

325
00:13:28,341 --> 00:13:32,088
- I'm not sure that I would be able to do these events

326
00:13:32,130 --> 00:13:33,828
on a number of different levels,

327
00:13:33,870 --> 00:13:37,068
if I wasn't supported in the way that I am at home.

328
00:13:37,110 --> 00:13:39,108
You know, I'm very fortunate in that way.

329
00:13:39,150 --> 00:13:43,248
And my children, you know, have learned from Faye.

330
00:13:43,290 --> 00:13:46,878
I think Faye acknowledges that I'm a better person.

331
00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,538
I'm not made to feel guilty for needing to do this.

332
00:13:50,580 --> 00:13:52,968
I think back to my 20s and I
wonder how the fucking hell

333
00:13:53,010 --> 00:13:55,651
I held any relationship down, to be honest, you know

334
00:13:55,693 --> 00:13:57,693
'cause you're just like,

335
00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,287
it's so disruptive.

336
00:14:01,329 --> 00:14:03,912
(gentle music)

337
00:14:10,710 --> 00:14:12,360
- Now he's done a number of them,

338
00:14:13,410 --> 00:14:15,483
it's a bit medicinal, really, I think.

339
00:14:16,356 --> 00:14:17,857
(gentle music)

340
00:14:17,899 --> 00:14:19,638
- I'm gonna have to dig deep, you know,

341
00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:20,471
I'm aware of that, you know.

342
00:14:20,513 --> 00:14:24,138
- I think, running, in its nature, is quite simplistic.

343
00:14:24,180 --> 00:14:24,971
In Simon's case,

344
00:14:25,013 --> 00:14:27,228
I think it definitely brings order to the chaos.

345
00:14:27,270 --> 00:14:29,388
He's got quite a lotta chaos in his world, in his mind.

346
00:14:29,430 --> 00:14:33,018
Even narrowing down the task list for the day,

347
00:14:33,060 --> 00:14:34,668
get from point A to B,

348
00:14:34,710 --> 00:14:38,961
can definitely just calm the noise a little bit.

349
00:14:39,003 --> 00:14:41,936
(gentle music)

350
00:14:41,978 --> 00:14:43,893
- Thank you very much.

351
00:14:43,935 --> 00:14:46,688
- All you've got to do, for seven days,

352
00:14:46,730 --> 00:14:48,313
eat, sleep and run.

353
00:14:49,741 --> 00:14:50,924
What an existence.

354
00:14:50,966 --> 00:14:52,174
(gentle music)

355
00:14:52,216 --> 00:14:53,007
- One, two.

356
00:14:53,049 --> 00:14:54,898
- I mean, for me it just sounds treacherous, to be honest.

357
00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:57,198
So, I can't imagine why he wants to go out and do this.

358
00:14:57,240 --> 00:15:01,113
People fall very ill and
sometimes die on these things.

359
00:15:01,964 --> 00:15:04,547
(gentle music)

360
00:15:09,750 --> 00:15:12,138
- My brain was bouncing around a bit last night.

361
00:15:12,180 --> 00:15:15,018
I think I'll feel some sense of anxiety,

362
00:15:15,060 --> 00:15:17,088
probably, when I see a sand dune,

363
00:15:17,130 --> 00:15:19,158
even if it's two meters high,

364
00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,888
it'll probably make me feel a bit peculiar.

365
00:15:21,930 --> 00:15:25,443
Probably not how I felt at
the beginning of the last one.

366
00:15:27,224 --> 00:15:29,807
(gentle music)

367
00:15:33,690 --> 00:15:34,523
It was good.

368
00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:36,798
- He won't think this now

369
00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:38,748
but if he doesn't finish, he'll also be okay with it.

370
00:15:38,790 --> 00:15:41,928
I think he's actually at a
point in his journey with this,

371
00:15:41,970 --> 00:15:43,878
where, the result is one thing

372
00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:45,528
but he's realized the journey is important

373
00:15:45,570 --> 00:15:47,208
or he will, quite quickly after.

374
00:15:47,250 --> 00:15:49,098
- I think he's putting a lotta pressure on himself.

375
00:15:49,140 --> 00:15:50,478
Unnecessary pressure.

376
00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,208
I think sometimes the bravest
thing, is to know your limits.

377
00:15:53,250 --> 00:15:56,688
And I just hope that he does know his limits,

378
00:15:56,730 --> 00:15:57,798
this time around.

379
00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:00,168
- He's physically stronger but mentally stronger too.

380
00:16:00,210 --> 00:16:02,298
I think he will be good.

381
00:16:02,340 --> 00:16:03,198
He'll do well.

382
00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:04,344
He better do it, gosh.

383
00:16:04,386 --> 00:16:07,136
(dramatic music)

384
00:16:08,492 --> 00:16:11,075
(crowd cheers)

385
00:16:13,097 --> 00:16:15,847
(dramatic music)

386
00:16:34,890 --> 00:16:36,798
- So that gives me anxiety.

387
00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:37,814
That thing.

388
00:16:37,856 --> 00:16:41,211
(dramatic music)

389
00:16:41,253 --> 00:16:44,868
It is a sand dune but, it's not a mountain.

390
00:16:44,910 --> 00:16:47,028
Thing is, it's probably what I thought about a lot.

391
00:16:47,070 --> 00:16:51,273
It's a strange feeling 'cause it's almost dreamlike.

392
00:16:54,330 --> 00:16:57,828
- Everybody has a different, sort of, mindset to things.

393
00:16:57,870 --> 00:17:01,218
Some people allow adversity,
previously in their lives,

394
00:17:01,260 --> 00:17:04,608
to affect the decisions that you make going forward.

395
00:17:04,650 --> 00:17:07,938
And some people use that as a position,

396
00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:09,448
in order to turn that into a positive.

397
00:17:09,490 --> 00:17:12,768
(gentle music)

398
00:17:12,810 --> 00:17:13,908
- I have my own objectives

399
00:17:13,950 --> 00:17:16,128
because I'm looking to discover myself.

400
00:17:16,170 --> 00:17:19,338
I wanna understand me and what makes me tick

401
00:17:19,380 --> 00:17:20,748
and how I operate.

402
00:17:20,790 --> 00:17:23,058
But actually, it's becoming far more than that.

403
00:17:23,100 --> 00:17:25,848
I want to help people open up a dialogue.

404
00:17:25,890 --> 00:17:27,558
ADHD should be looked at as something

405
00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:31,653
that can enable people to
provide positivity to the world.

406
00:17:32,660 --> 00:17:36,138
Not blocking them off and not listening to them

407
00:17:36,180 --> 00:17:38,688
because they don't hit a certain criteria

408
00:17:38,730 --> 00:17:39,558
that we've become used to.

409
00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,323
You know, that results in the worst things.

410
00:17:42,365 --> 00:17:44,948
(gentle music)

411
00:17:45,870 --> 00:17:47,268
It's getting gradually hotter.

412
00:17:47,310 --> 00:17:50,178
So I'm trying to be really sensible, not gun it,

413
00:17:50,220 --> 00:17:51,528
probably get halfway through tomorrow

414
00:17:51,570 --> 00:17:55,308
and then start thinking about taking some paresis,

415
00:17:55,350 --> 00:17:58,890
while we're trying to be careful with it, with water.

416
00:17:58,932 --> 00:18:01,515
(crowd cheers)

417
00:18:02,819 --> 00:18:05,402
(gentle music)

418
00:18:11,283 --> 00:18:13,218
- I've been in this game now for two decades.

419
00:18:13,260 --> 00:18:14,358
I've either been running, coaching

420
00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:15,498
or designing these races.

421
00:18:15,540 --> 00:18:19,398
So I've got to see a lot of
people take these journeys on.

422
00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:20,838
Simon is definitely one of those people

423
00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:22,638
that enjoys the highs and the lows.

424
00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:24,798
He wants to be rock bottom.

425
00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:28,541
He wants to be in that pain cave, that misery,

426
00:18:28,583 --> 00:18:31,308
that thing that's gonna ultimately push him

427
00:18:31,350 --> 00:18:32,688
to the absolute limit.

428
00:18:32,730 --> 00:18:35,148
Because he knows and he's experienced it in the past,

429
00:18:35,190 --> 00:18:39,048
that with this low, will become a real high.

430
00:18:39,090 --> 00:18:40,428
The bigger the low, the higher the high.

431
00:18:40,470 --> 00:18:42,288
And it impacts him in a way

432
00:18:42,330 --> 00:18:44,680
that has been ultimately life-changing for him.

433
00:18:46,421 --> 00:18:48,918
- I think there needs to be a lot more information

434
00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,558
about ADHD and what it is and what it isn't.

435
00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:52,900
I think some people have a

436
00:18:54,131 --> 00:18:56,208
very stereotypical view of somebody with ADHD.

437
00:18:56,250 --> 00:18:59,058
And they think they might
be that loud person at school

438
00:18:59,100 --> 00:19:01,278
or that person that sits and fidgets all day.

439
00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:03,528
But there are different
versions of it for different people

440
00:19:03,570 --> 00:19:05,088
and people will adapt differently.

441
00:19:05,130 --> 00:19:07,508
- Predominantly hyperactive is only 15%

442
00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:09,168
of people with ADHD.

443
00:19:09,210 --> 00:19:12,468
It's a significant proportion of women and girls.

444
00:19:12,510 --> 00:19:13,818
And so the idea that it's just a boy

445
00:19:13,860 --> 00:19:15,498
running around, is just wrong.

446
00:19:15,540 --> 00:19:17,298
- People often ask me what ADHD is.

447
00:19:17,340 --> 00:19:19,008
And it's one of the ways in which people

448
00:19:19,050 --> 00:19:20,538
can be neurodivergent.

449
00:19:20,580 --> 00:19:24,018
So, neurodiversity means,
basically, brain-based difference.

450
00:19:24,060 --> 00:19:25,668
And it means that you experience the world

451
00:19:25,710 --> 00:19:26,508
in a different way.

452
00:19:26,550 --> 00:19:28,488
How you feel about the world,
how you think about the world.

453
00:19:28,530 --> 00:19:29,358
So it's really common.

454
00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,473
And ADHD's about one in 20 adults.

455
00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:37,878
- I have done the Marathon des Sables in 2019 and 2022.

456
00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,468
I have ADHD.

457
00:19:39,510 --> 00:19:42,018
I tried to explain it to people by saying,

458
00:19:42,060 --> 00:19:44,058
it's like when you have your laptop open,

459
00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:47,328
for most, you know, kind of, typical thinkers,

460
00:19:47,370 --> 00:19:51,198
if they have too many windows
open, it drives them crazy.

461
00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:53,523
I always have that many windows open.

462
00:19:54,449 --> 00:19:56,628
You can get very charged up or very drained,

463
00:19:56,670 --> 00:20:00,078
I think, just a bit more easier than others.

464
00:20:00,120 --> 00:20:03,948
And it's difficult to prioritize, sometimes.

465
00:20:03,990 --> 00:20:06,318
- I think it's really important, as society,

466
00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:09,708
to understand that there isn't one-size-fits-all,

467
00:20:09,750 --> 00:20:11,598
with any condition.

468
00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:12,888
There are general symptoms,

469
00:20:12,930 --> 00:20:14,898
some may be positive, some may be negative.

470
00:20:14,940 --> 00:20:18,648
But how a person generally handles it, is up to them.

471
00:20:18,690 --> 00:20:20,883
- We're all unique individuals, plus ADHD.

472
00:20:22,950 --> 00:20:26,898
- The event is so vast and so big, it's a bit crazy.

473
00:20:26,940 --> 00:20:29,958
So, I'm on a journey to try and control the chaos

474
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,688
and stop the noise in my brain.

475
00:20:32,730 --> 00:20:35,373
And, it's not quite like that here.

476
00:20:36,510 --> 00:20:37,510
Whatever that means.

477
00:20:38,644 --> 00:20:41,284
(dramatic music)

478
00:20:41,326 --> 00:20:43,909
(crowd chants)

479
00:20:51,066 --> 00:20:53,816
(dramatic music)

480
00:21:00,581 --> 00:21:03,948
This isn't just a holiday to
me, this is a necessary part

481
00:21:03,990 --> 00:21:06,588
of my own life journey.

482
00:21:06,630 --> 00:21:08,058
If I don't do these things,

483
00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:11,148
I will not perform at the highest level.

484
00:21:11,190 --> 00:21:14,448
I'm always aspiring to try and be as good as I can be.

485
00:21:14,490 --> 00:21:16,248
I mean, if I start with the guys in my tent,

486
00:21:16,290 --> 00:21:18,528
I might stick with them or track them a bit.

487
00:21:18,570 --> 00:21:20,568
But I'm gonna run, kinda, just getting through it,

488
00:21:20,610 --> 00:21:22,631
I quite like my own time.

489
00:21:22,673 --> 00:21:25,338
- I think he would hold his hands up and say that he

490
00:21:25,380 --> 00:21:27,138
struggles with his mental health

491
00:21:27,180 --> 00:21:30,348
and actually, running, is one of the things that helps.

492
00:21:30,390 --> 00:21:31,878
- Feel pretty positive.

493
00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:33,620
Just gotta tick through the miles.

494
00:21:35,325 --> 00:21:36,116
(dramatic music)

495
00:21:36,158 --> 00:21:38,088
In the case of ultra running,

496
00:21:38,130 --> 00:21:40,848
the running itself is the therapy.

497
00:21:40,890 --> 00:21:43,218
Such an odd thing to try and explain to people,

498
00:21:43,260 --> 00:21:45,798
that actually, when you talk
about running ultramarathons,

499
00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:50,840
especially multi-stage ultramarathons, people are,

500
00:21:51,060 --> 00:21:53,463
kind of, intimidated by the scale of them.

501
00:21:54,810 --> 00:21:57,827
But, perhaps they're looking at it in the wrong way

502
00:21:57,869 --> 00:21:59,543
or not looking at it through my eyes.

503
00:22:01,950 --> 00:22:06,018
- Coming here, it's like a complete swap

504
00:22:06,060 --> 00:22:09,378
of mental capabilities and responsibilities.

505
00:22:09,420 --> 00:22:11,515
People that hear that I've done this race say,

506
00:22:11,557 --> 00:22:14,388
"Oh, wow, you really like to punish yourself, don't you?"

507
00:22:14,430 --> 00:22:16,248
And it's a form of judgment, where,

508
00:22:16,290 --> 00:22:18,468
I certainly don't view it as punishment,

509
00:22:18,510 --> 00:22:21,318
I view it as push, especially when you have ADHD.

510
00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:23,943
If you push yourself to extreme limits,

511
00:22:25,170 --> 00:22:27,588
it is actually recharging the batteries

512
00:22:27,630 --> 00:22:32,058
and you go back, saying, there
was an enormous challenge

513
00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:34,968
and I did that, I am capable.

514
00:22:35,010 --> 00:22:38,598
I think people with ADHD really feel that even more

515
00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:40,731
than a typical thinker.

516
00:22:40,773 --> 00:22:43,523
(dramatic music)

517
00:22:53,790 --> 00:22:54,623
- So slow going.

518
00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,168
Kind of just concentrating on

519
00:22:57,210 --> 00:22:59,328
getting in other people's steps.

520
00:22:59,370 --> 00:23:00,933
Wow, that's cool.

521
00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:03,168
Shit.

522
00:23:03,210 --> 00:23:04,429
Yeah, pretty cool.

523
00:23:04,471 --> 00:23:06,858
(dramatic music)

524
00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:08,183
All right, enough of that.

525
00:23:09,225 --> 00:23:10,242
This will be here in a million years,

526
00:23:10,284 --> 00:23:11,834
so I can come back.

527
00:23:11,876 --> 00:23:14,626
(dramatic music)

528
00:23:35,405 --> 00:23:37,788
I think the uphills broke my legs in, actually.

529
00:23:37,830 --> 00:23:41,702
I didn't really enjoy that bit but, then suddenly,

530
00:23:41,744 --> 00:23:44,508
running on sand felt a lot easier.

531
00:23:44,550 --> 00:23:47,508
- He potentially uses ultramarathons

532
00:23:47,550 --> 00:23:50,328
as a way to keep him in training.

533
00:23:50,370 --> 00:23:52,758
You know, training and getting out and exercising,

534
00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:54,708
is basically medicine.

535
00:23:54,750 --> 00:23:57,618
And it is what keeps you, kind of, focused,

536
00:23:57,660 --> 00:23:59,735
your endorphins above, you know, ultimately,

537
00:23:59,777 --> 00:24:03,468
it's a dopamine deficiency problem, right.

538
00:24:03,510 --> 00:24:06,198
And exercise raises that dopamine level.

539
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,358
I think it's almost a bit of an addiction, probably,

540
00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:10,908
on his part, in terms of the fact that he needs to do it.

541
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:14,298
And, it's to say, I've got this
ultramarathon in the diary

542
00:24:14,340 --> 00:24:16,638
and kinda use it as a bit of a way to

543
00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:18,430
manage his day-to-day life, really.

544
00:24:21,844 --> 00:24:23,761
- Last 15K's been hard.

545
00:24:24,810 --> 00:24:27,528
It's all right, my feet need a little bit of attention

546
00:24:27,570 --> 00:24:29,469
but I really am okay.

547
00:24:29,511 --> 00:24:32,088
(gentle music)

548
00:24:32,130 --> 00:24:34,818
I will put 150% and more,

549
00:24:34,860 --> 00:24:37,203
leave nothing on the table, whatsoever.

550
00:24:38,940 --> 00:24:41,148
I don't think that's always healthy.

551
00:24:41,190 --> 00:24:44,628
When it's over, this brain fog, kind of, ensues.

552
00:24:44,670 --> 00:24:46,428
At the time that you're going through these

553
00:24:46,470 --> 00:24:48,520
periods of brain fog, it seems to be

554
00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:51,723
after periods of extreme hyperfocus.

555
00:24:52,980 --> 00:24:54,528
You just run out of energy.

556
00:24:54,570 --> 00:24:57,948
It's almost like your mind is trying to get some rest.

557
00:24:57,990 --> 00:24:59,718
It's extremely frustrating.

558
00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,948
And it's like a form of depression, probably.

559
00:25:03,990 --> 00:25:07,758
But without it taking you down those roads.

560
00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:09,258
One of the reasons I love ultra running,

561
00:25:09,300 --> 00:25:10,998
is it gives me a chance to go away

562
00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:12,978
and turn off from all these things.

563
00:25:13,020 --> 00:25:17,058
And when I come back, the brain fog has lifted

564
00:25:17,100 --> 00:25:20,628
and actually, I have then
complete clarity of thinking

565
00:25:20,670 --> 00:25:22,428
and it's just complete peace

566
00:25:22,470 --> 00:25:24,378
and straight line decision-making.

567
00:25:24,420 --> 00:25:25,653
It all makes sense.

568
00:25:27,090 --> 00:25:28,658
- Exercise is often talked
about as a treatment for ADHD

569
00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:31,398
and there's a really good evidence base for it.

570
00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:32,508
It's also used as a treatment

571
00:25:32,550 --> 00:25:34,188
for other things, like, depression.

572
00:25:34,230 --> 00:25:35,748
And the reason it's good for the brain,

573
00:25:35,790 --> 00:25:37,218
the reason, particularly with ADHD,

574
00:25:37,260 --> 00:25:38,298
exercise is good for the brain,

575
00:25:38,340 --> 00:25:40,368
is that it increases noradrenaline and dopamine.

576
00:25:40,410 --> 00:25:42,198
And those are low.

577
00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:44,808
There are low levels of those
in people's brains, with ADHD.

578
00:25:44,850 --> 00:25:46,278
It increases levels of those chemicals

579
00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:47,815
in about five minutes,

580
00:25:47,857 --> 00:25:50,328
which is quicker than any medicine can work.

581
00:25:50,370 --> 00:25:53,284
So it's something a lot of people use, to help focus.

582
00:25:53,326 --> 00:25:56,286
(gentle music)

583
00:25:56,328 --> 00:25:57,288
- Yeah, it was all right.

584
00:25:57,330 --> 00:25:58,218
I'm glad it's over.

585
00:25:58,260 --> 00:26:00,198
Those second days are awful.

586
00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,588
I think from the last experience that I had with MDS,

587
00:26:03,630 --> 00:26:06,468
I've learned how to treat myself.

588
00:26:06,510 --> 00:26:07,698
So, like, if I feel tired,

589
00:26:07,740 --> 00:26:09,768
I'm happy to go and have a rest for five minutes.

590
00:26:09,810 --> 00:26:11,478
Previously, I'd just run through exhaustion

591
00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:12,708
and then I would've collapsed,

592
00:26:12,750 --> 00:26:15,738
I mean, I'd be in a heap but I'm in a controlled heap.

593
00:26:15,780 --> 00:26:17,568
I'm just tired and resting.

594
00:26:17,610 --> 00:26:20,160
Whereas, I'm not delirious today.

595
00:26:20,202 --> 00:26:22,785
(Simon laughs)

596
00:26:24,540 --> 00:26:26,418
Of course, I want the challenge.

597
00:26:26,460 --> 00:26:29,268
But actually, there's a big part of my mindset

598
00:26:29,310 --> 00:26:31,578
that's looking forward to giving my brain

599
00:26:31,620 --> 00:26:32,898
a bit of a holiday.

600
00:26:32,940 --> 00:26:36,978
And I can just relax on the
most basic of things, you know,

601
00:26:37,020 --> 00:26:39,048
by getting to a tree or getting to a corner

602
00:26:39,090 --> 00:26:41,440
or, you know, just getting to the end of a day.

603
00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:44,148
It puts everything into context.

604
00:26:44,190 --> 00:26:47,658
Seeing a desert and, you know, just things

605
00:26:47,700 --> 00:26:49,968
in a complete natural space,

606
00:26:50,010 --> 00:26:54,168
without any interferences from us, whatsoever.

607
00:26:54,210 --> 00:26:56,118
That to me, is peaceful.

608
00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:58,248
That brings peace to the noise

609
00:26:58,290 --> 00:27:00,731
that sometimes comes into my brain, I think.

610
00:27:00,773 --> 00:27:03,798
(dramatic music)

611
00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:06,708
- There is an additional challenge with his ADHD.

612
00:27:06,750 --> 00:27:09,768
Where he's gonna have to
really focus on some certain areas

613
00:27:09,810 --> 00:27:11,088
to be successful.

614
00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,680
He's gonna have to quieten that noise, quite a lot.

615
00:27:15,690 --> 00:27:17,778
- Today is a long stage.

616
00:27:17,820 --> 00:27:19,398
We're starting at six,

617
00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,275
run for about three quarters an hour, in the dark.

618
00:27:22,317 --> 00:27:25,443
But it's quite a slog, to do 85 kilometers.

619
00:27:30,103 --> 00:27:32,893
Just so much depends on how tough the first

620
00:27:34,470 --> 00:27:35,808
three or four hours are.

621
00:27:35,850 --> 00:27:38,250
Yeah, I'm just not sure what we're gonna do yet.

622
00:27:39,502 --> 00:27:42,085
(gentle music)

623
00:27:44,850 --> 00:27:48,858
The long stage is a pretty huge moment.

624
00:27:48,900 --> 00:27:50,778
Once you've cracked it, you know,

625
00:27:50,820 --> 00:27:53,448
you've done something, you're well over halfway.

626
00:27:53,490 --> 00:27:55,308
So I'm just gonna take today really slow and steady,

627
00:27:55,350 --> 00:27:58,458
just tick off the kilometers and the checkpoints

628
00:27:58,500 --> 00:28:00,708
and see how I sit by two o'clock,

629
00:28:00,750 --> 00:28:02,682
then make a decision about whether I'm gonna stay

630
00:28:02,724 --> 00:28:07,398
at a checkpoint for three
hours while the sun settles down

631
00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:08,231
and then go again.

632
00:28:08,273 --> 00:28:09,498
Or if I feel good, I'll go.

633
00:28:09,540 --> 00:28:12,198
Yeah, last time I didn't do the long stage

634
00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:14,333
'cause the long stage was on the fourth day.

635
00:28:15,270 --> 00:28:16,098
- [Runner] Simon.

636
00:28:16,140 --> 00:28:17,478
- Yeah.

637
00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:18,915
Yeah.

638
00:28:18,957 --> 00:28:21,164
(Simon laughs)

639
00:28:21,206 --> 00:28:22,412
Oh he's the joker.

640
00:28:22,454 --> 00:28:23,770
You're a joker.

641
00:28:25,470 --> 00:28:26,675
I didn't get to do the long stage

642
00:28:26,717 --> 00:28:29,235
'cause I pulled out on the morning of day four.

643
00:28:29,277 --> 00:28:31,698
And I feel intimidated by it

644
00:28:31,740 --> 00:28:34,908
but, I'm just gonna clock it off, you know,

645
00:28:34,950 --> 00:28:36,588
checkpoint by checkpoint.

646
00:28:36,630 --> 00:28:39,285
And have a good look at two o'clock and see how I stand.

647
00:28:39,327 --> 00:28:44,191
- [Announcer] Oh, the distance today is, 85.3 kilometers.

648
00:28:44,233 --> 00:28:47,139
(gentle music)

649
00:28:47,181 --> 00:28:48,438
- The long stage is gonna be hard for them

650
00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:49,908
to tap into flow states.

651
00:28:49,950 --> 00:28:52,278
All of the other runners around them,

652
00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:56,238
intense hunger, intense thirst, which only grows.

653
00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:59,478
It will be so hard to get into the zone and stay in it

654
00:28:59,520 --> 00:29:01,158
and not be distracted by your sore feet.

655
00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:03,888
Your 15 blisters, the hot desert sun.

656
00:29:03,930 --> 00:29:05,988
- There's some parts of this where Simon's brain

657
00:29:06,030 --> 00:29:10,128
will consume knowledge at a
rate, faster than anyone else.

658
00:29:10,170 --> 00:29:11,778
But at the same time, when it comes to the race

659
00:29:11,820 --> 00:29:13,878
and it comes to the time where it gets difficult,

660
00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,218
one simple mistake here, your race is over.

661
00:29:16,260 --> 00:29:17,868
Not drinking water on time,

662
00:29:17,910 --> 00:29:20,700
not look after a small blister, your race can be done.

663
00:29:22,634 --> 00:29:25,384
(dramatic music)

664
00:30:28,384 --> 00:30:31,301
- Woo, that was amazing, going down

665
00:30:33,307 --> 00:30:36,521
That hill was weirdly, quite enjoyable.

666
00:30:36,563 --> 00:30:39,228
But I'm just gonna really try and stay within myself.

667
00:30:39,270 --> 00:30:40,338
Don't overdo it.

668
00:30:40,380 --> 00:30:42,967
It's dangerous to go too quick.

669
00:30:44,344 --> 00:30:47,094
(dramatic music)

670
00:31:27,196 --> 00:31:27,987
Yeah, it's getting hot now.

671
00:31:28,029 --> 00:31:29,353
(dramatic music)

672
00:31:29,395 --> 00:31:31,444
Hard work, getting over the brinks.

673
00:31:31,486 --> 00:31:34,236
(dramatic music)

674
00:31:45,270 --> 00:31:46,501
- It's just amazing.

675
00:31:46,543 --> 00:31:49,428
As tiny as it is, you kinda, almost, like,

676
00:31:49,470 --> 00:31:53,173
compartmentalize it 'cause it's just so beautiful.

677
00:31:54,362 --> 00:31:57,112
(dramatic music)

678
00:31:59,395 --> 00:32:01,553
- It's getting warmer, it feels hotter than yesterday.

679
00:32:03,090 --> 00:32:04,698
Those long straights are gonna be the issue

680
00:32:04,740 --> 00:32:07,008
because I imagine there's
gonna be quite a lot of those.

681
00:32:07,050 --> 00:32:09,423
The actual gains from running in the heat,

682
00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:14,328
the peak of the day, on a day like today, are just zero.

683
00:32:14,370 --> 00:32:15,161
I just don't see any benefit.

684
00:32:15,203 --> 00:32:19,248
I've felt, in reasonable spirits up until now.

685
00:32:19,290 --> 00:32:21,378
These flats, like the one we're about to do,

686
00:32:21,420 --> 00:32:23,418
the ones that cause me damage.

687
00:32:23,460 --> 00:32:27,543
So, the next two stages will be quite big for me.

688
00:32:30,060 --> 00:32:33,378
I'm sure I'll revisit some old demons.

689
00:32:33,420 --> 00:32:35,898
- A lot of the focus is on the extreme temperatures,

690
00:32:35,940 --> 00:32:37,368
with these things.

691
00:32:37,410 --> 00:32:40,038
But people forget that
they're still running 150 miles

692
00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:40,938
over five days.

693
00:32:40,980 --> 00:32:43,218
Even in temperate conditions, you'll still get

694
00:32:43,260 --> 00:32:46,218
repetitive strain injuries, hips, knees, ankles.

695
00:32:46,260 --> 00:32:48,528
And you have to pay attention to that, as well.

696
00:32:48,570 --> 00:32:51,078
- Every day you're basically doing a different ultra,

697
00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:54,018
across some of the most
extreme conditions in the world.

698
00:32:54,060 --> 00:32:56,538
All the time you're getting
stimulated by your environment,

699
00:32:56,580 --> 00:32:58,908
by the other runners around you

700
00:32:58,950 --> 00:33:00,558
but you've got this goal in the background.

701
00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:03,018
So for some people who are neurodivergent

702
00:33:03,060 --> 00:33:06,108
and have ADHD, that might
be the perfect sport for them.

703
00:33:06,150 --> 00:33:08,868
- I'm a volunteer here at MDS.

704
00:33:08,910 --> 00:33:12,888
I was a late diagnosed ADHDer.

705
00:33:12,930 --> 00:33:15,910
I always think things end up into buzzwords, you know

706
00:33:16,765 --> 00:33:20,928
and ADHD is a superpower, well, do you know what,

707
00:33:20,970 --> 00:33:23,898
I suppose it's advantageous sometimes

708
00:33:23,940 --> 00:33:25,218
but it's also a hindrance

709
00:33:25,260 --> 00:33:27,498
because it's very nerve-racking sometimes,

710
00:33:27,540 --> 00:33:29,328
when you just wanna be organized

711
00:33:29,370 --> 00:33:31,248
and you wanna stop fighting with yourself.

712
00:33:31,290 --> 00:33:35,175
- Grabbing hold of hyperfocus is a wonderful thing.

713
00:33:35,217 --> 00:33:37,008
And it's wonderful if it fits the right thing

714
00:33:37,050 --> 00:33:38,355
and it's terrible if it's the wrong thing.

715
00:33:38,397 --> 00:33:40,518
- You can't always just hyperfocus

716
00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:42,856
on what you wanna hyperfocus on.

717
00:33:42,898 --> 00:33:43,698
(Rochelle laughs)

718
00:33:43,740 --> 00:33:46,458
Like, something happens and you have to do this,

719
00:33:46,500 --> 00:33:48,288
this, this, this and screw everything else

720
00:33:48,330 --> 00:33:49,121
that you were supposed to do

721
00:33:49,163 --> 00:33:50,628
'cause you're hyperfocused on this.

722
00:33:50,670 --> 00:33:52,698
- We have a huge problem,

723
00:33:52,740 --> 00:33:54,338
that it's part of human experience

724
00:33:54,380 --> 00:33:55,788
to have a problem with focus, right.

725
00:33:55,830 --> 00:33:57,978
To procrastinate before something,

726
00:33:58,020 --> 00:34:01,098
potentially to struggle to
focus every now and again.

727
00:34:01,140 --> 00:34:03,378
That is not the ADHD experience.

728
00:34:03,420 --> 00:34:05,568
The ADHD experience is having a debilitating

729
00:34:05,610 --> 00:34:06,498
impact on your life.

730
00:34:06,540 --> 00:34:10,428
It's exactly the same way
that depression isn't sadness.

731
00:34:10,470 --> 00:34:13,938
That chronic anxiety isn't anxious on a first date.

732
00:34:13,980 --> 00:34:16,398
That OCD isn't a tidy kitchen.

733
00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:18,485
Like, they have wildly different things.

734
00:34:18,527 --> 00:34:21,277
(dramatic music)

735
00:34:54,929 --> 00:34:56,511
- As hot as it's been all week, really.

736
00:34:56,553 --> 00:34:58,037
- It's absolutely brutal.

737
00:34:58,079 --> 00:34:59,413
- Hot.

738
00:34:59,455 --> 00:35:00,872
Really hot today.

739
00:35:03,374 --> 00:35:06,124
(dramatic music)

740
00:35:34,993 --> 00:35:36,631
- Got strength for a walk.

741
00:35:36,673 --> 00:35:37,998
I was pretty roasted.

742
00:35:38,040 --> 00:35:42,318
Unpacked our bags, took our shoes off

743
00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:45,378
and just chilled out for about two hours.

744
00:35:45,420 --> 00:35:49,083
A real lesson in historical
learning, with these events.

745
00:35:50,709 --> 00:35:52,209
I would've just gone on before

746
00:35:53,410 --> 00:35:56,028
and that would've been extraordinarily dangerous.

747
00:35:56,070 --> 00:35:58,060
I mean, we're well over halfway now

748
00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,298
but, drags and drags and drags.

749
00:36:02,340 --> 00:36:05,495
My mindset, with, well, you know,

750
00:36:05,537 --> 00:36:10,278
with ADHD, it's not suitable for this type of thing.

751
00:36:10,320 --> 00:36:12,648
I think one of the reasons I do this,

752
00:36:12,690 --> 00:36:16,698
is to try and exercise
discipline and I struggle with it.

753
00:36:16,740 --> 00:36:19,158
You know, you're in your head, you're like, stop, stop,

754
00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:23,478
have a break, stop, just gotta keep going, keep going.

755
00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:26,433
Every part of me wants to stop, when it's like that.

756
00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:29,424
But I won't.

757
00:36:29,466 --> 00:36:31,008
(Simon laughs)

758
00:36:31,050 --> 00:36:34,490
My biggest problem right now, is overheating.

759
00:36:34,532 --> 00:36:37,308
'Cause my head starts to throb.

760
00:36:37,350 --> 00:36:39,393
I mean, I can't cool down.

761
00:36:44,269 --> 00:36:45,628
Good, thank you.

762
00:36:45,670 --> 00:36:46,623
Okay, thank you.

763
00:36:56,070 --> 00:36:57,556
- Just to get off those dunes.

764
00:36:57,598 --> 00:36:58,389
- Yeah.

765
00:36:58,431 --> 00:36:59,418
- Once you get off those dunes.

766
00:36:59,460 --> 00:37:00,251
- Yeah.

767
00:37:00,293 --> 00:37:01,126
- A bit of hard standing.

768
00:37:02,250 --> 00:37:04,833
- So that means, like, hot, hot, hot.

769
00:37:05,700 --> 00:37:07,878
- When you're racing in an extreme environment,

770
00:37:07,920 --> 00:37:10,818
it's not always about the
race, it's about the conditions

771
00:37:10,860 --> 00:37:12,708
that you face when you're there.

772
00:37:12,750 --> 00:37:15,948
Someone can be fine, to needing medical extraction,

773
00:37:15,990 --> 00:37:17,658
within the space of 20 minutes.

774
00:37:17,700 --> 00:37:18,648
- It's certainly arduous.

775
00:37:18,690 --> 00:37:20,403
It's so still and there's no wind.

776
00:37:21,300 --> 00:37:22,548
You feel like you're baking.

777
00:37:22,590 --> 00:37:24,288
You're both going through the same thing.

778
00:37:24,330 --> 00:37:26,658
You're both feeling the same emotions.

779
00:37:26,700 --> 00:37:29,700
And, you know, together,
you're almost, kinda, joint forces,

780
00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:32,988
to combat it, as opposed to doing it alone,

781
00:37:33,030 --> 00:37:34,488
which can be quite daunting and difficult,

782
00:37:34,530 --> 00:37:36,438
particularly in, you know,
in an environment like this,

783
00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:39,168
when there's two of you with the same goal.

784
00:37:39,210 --> 00:37:41,028
Yeah, you can, kind of, sort of, drive each other on.

785
00:37:41,070 --> 00:37:41,861
He's been great.

786
00:37:41,903 --> 00:37:43,578
Tell me everything, put my sun cream on

787
00:37:43,620 --> 00:37:46,320
and make sure I'm drinking and so on and so forth, so.

788
00:37:47,282 --> 00:37:49,865
(gentle music)

789
00:37:53,896 --> 00:37:56,118
- This is the best way to get to know anyone.

790
00:37:56,160 --> 00:37:56,951
There's nothing.

791
00:37:56,993 --> 00:37:57,959
It doesn't matter who you are

792
00:37:58,001 --> 00:38:00,228
or where you come from or what your background is.

793
00:38:00,270 --> 00:38:01,533
You are what you are.

794
00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,282
That to me is probably the most exciting thing.

795
00:38:06,324 --> 00:38:09,074
(dramatic music)

796
00:38:20,384 --> 00:38:23,898
- When you're halfway through a race, like the MDS,

797
00:38:23,940 --> 00:38:27,138
you almost certainly got
something happening to you

798
00:38:27,180 --> 00:38:28,630
that wasn't part of the plan.

799
00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:33,948
- Suffering now.

800
00:38:33,990 --> 00:38:35,958
- Blisters, could be a whole load of things

801
00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:38,478
but, you know, a lot of people will be thinking,

802
00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:41,418
this wasn't in my plan and start to panic.

803
00:38:41,460 --> 00:38:42,678
Simon, again, is experienced.

804
00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:44,208
So he's seen a lot of these things

805
00:38:44,250 --> 00:38:45,648
and will probably stay relaxed.

806
00:38:45,690 --> 00:38:47,283
- Very, very, very sore.

807
00:38:48,450 --> 00:38:51,603
Feet are really starting to break down now.

808
00:38:52,770 --> 00:38:53,958
- A lot must go into these races

809
00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:57,258
to test ourselves physically and mentally.

810
00:38:57,300 --> 00:38:59,148
And at some point in the race, you know,

811
00:38:59,190 --> 00:39:00,768
we will be utterly broken.

812
00:39:00,810 --> 00:39:04,578
- So it's been hot all day, now the sun's going down,

813
00:39:04,620 --> 00:39:09,093
one problem disappears and another one rises.

814
00:39:09,999 --> 00:39:11,448
So, literally, as soon as the sun's gone down,

815
00:39:11,490 --> 00:39:13,803
my feet have just stepped up about five years.

816
00:39:14,700 --> 00:39:15,678
When the sun goes down,

817
00:39:15,720 --> 00:39:17,778
there's a different set of challenges.

818
00:39:17,820 --> 00:39:20,478
The way I would like to run it would be in the daytime.

819
00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:22,338
I don't really want to run at night at all.

820
00:39:22,380 --> 00:39:23,808
I've never enjoyed running at night.

821
00:39:23,850 --> 00:39:27,408
- It's very easy to focus entirely on the physical side.

822
00:39:27,450 --> 00:39:30,393
But it's a mental race, more than a physical race.

823
00:39:31,778 --> 00:39:34,528
(dramatic music)

824
00:39:40,773 --> 00:39:41,940
- I am so hot,

825
00:39:43,080 --> 00:39:44,343
I want water.

826
00:39:46,350 --> 00:39:48,880
- It's where we have still plenty of energy

827
00:39:50,627 --> 00:39:53,028
to enjoy this part of the stage.

828
00:39:53,070 --> 00:39:54,318
It's not entirely true of course

829
00:39:54,360 --> 00:39:55,910
but we have to keep the spirit.

830
00:39:58,212 --> 00:39:59,508
- I just want it done now, you know.

831
00:39:59,550 --> 00:40:02,405
Starting to not think very clearly.

832
00:40:02,447 --> 00:40:04,098
That's the problem when you get tired,

833
00:40:04,140 --> 00:40:05,793
you just start to fucking.

834
00:40:09,030 --> 00:40:11,364
Just not very organized, are you?

835
00:40:11,406 --> 00:40:12,648
You know what I mean?

836
00:40:12,690 --> 00:40:14,373
Start to fucking drop the ball.

837
00:40:16,332 --> 00:40:17,930
The thing is, you're just getting

838
00:40:17,972 --> 00:40:20,091
close to, kind of, exhaustion.

839
00:40:20,133 --> 00:40:22,278
I'm feeling a little bit dehydrated,

840
00:40:22,320 --> 00:40:25,578
despite constant drinking, every five minutes.

841
00:40:25,620 --> 00:40:28,248
But, we just need to get our heads up and go on.

842
00:40:28,290 --> 00:40:30,918
- My children, keep thinking about them.

843
00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:35,268
These latter stages, you know, they strip you away

844
00:40:35,310 --> 00:40:39,131
of lots of things and perhaps that's, in a sick way,

845
00:40:39,173 --> 00:40:41,058
part of the attraction.

846
00:40:41,100 --> 00:40:42,900
That allows me to, kind of, build up

847
00:40:43,748 --> 00:40:46,488
my reserves again, in a very strange way.

848
00:40:46,530 --> 00:40:49,278
It's extremely intimidating to come back

849
00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:53,448
to a place like this and revisit those things.

850
00:40:53,490 --> 00:40:56,418
You know, this is a big achievement today.

851
00:40:56,460 --> 00:40:58,563
Honestly, I really am broken.

852
00:41:01,047 --> 00:41:05,583
I think, smiling and being jovial, is, kind of, my way of

853
00:41:06,570 --> 00:41:09,918
placating certain things, you know, normal stuff.

854
00:41:09,960 --> 00:41:13,938
ADHD at school, played the fool, disruptive,

855
00:41:13,980 --> 00:41:16,128
I guess it got me attention of some kind,

856
00:41:16,170 --> 00:41:18,783
which I was attracted to.

857
00:41:20,037 --> 00:41:22,037
And that's, kind of, like, stuck with me

858
00:41:23,752 --> 00:41:25,278
throughout my adult life too.

859
00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:27,918
I do think that's a defense mechanism.

860
00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:29,620
It would be good to help

861
00:41:30,690 --> 00:41:33,408
myself and people like me,

862
00:41:33,450 --> 00:41:37,158
not feel like they have to repress their emotion.

863
00:41:37,200 --> 00:41:39,018
There's no judgment in running.

864
00:41:39,060 --> 00:41:40,958
I love the fact that there's no judgment

865
00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:43,788
on where you come from, how much money you have,

866
00:41:43,830 --> 00:41:45,180
you know, any of that shit.

867
00:41:47,130 --> 00:41:48,230
It's really important.

868
00:41:49,957 --> 00:41:53,418
- I think, you know, we're very fortunate in the west,

869
00:41:53,460 --> 00:41:55,668
you know, things are getting easier by the day

870
00:41:55,710 --> 00:41:58,818
and I think you need to remember we were born in caves,

871
00:41:58,860 --> 00:42:02,575
so we're quite robust bits of pit, as I would like to say.

872
00:42:02,617 --> 00:42:04,136
And I think it's good to test that.

873
00:42:04,178 --> 00:42:05,988
It puts things into perspective.

874
00:42:06,030 --> 00:42:09,093
I'll go away from this better than before I started.

875
00:42:10,440 --> 00:42:12,666
Both physically and mentally.

876
00:42:12,708 --> 00:42:13,698
A little broken, to be fair.

877
00:42:13,740 --> 00:42:14,628
Not physically.

878
00:42:14,670 --> 00:42:15,678
- The thing with these races,

879
00:42:15,720 --> 00:42:18,078
you've gotta decompress for a bit to

880
00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:20,321
figure out what you got out of it.

881
00:42:20,363 --> 00:42:21,948
At the moment I've just got pain.

882
00:42:21,990 --> 00:42:24,003
And I miss my family.

883
00:42:25,274 --> 00:42:28,278
Which, comes part and parcel of it.

884
00:42:28,320 --> 00:42:31,743
You sign up to do this stuff, it's gonna hurt.

885
00:42:32,904 --> 00:42:35,654
(dramatic music)

886
00:42:40,523 --> 00:42:42,190
- [Announcer] Simon!

887
00:42:44,642 --> 00:42:45,639
- Broken.

888
00:42:45,681 --> 00:42:46,598
Oh, my God.

889
00:42:48,236 --> 00:42:49,069
Breathe.

890
00:42:50,061 --> 00:42:50,978
Oh, my God.

891
00:42:55,355 --> 00:42:57,938
(gentle music)

892
00:43:02,193 --> 00:43:03,773
There's a lot of very hurt people.

893
00:43:07,927 --> 00:43:10,510
(gentle music)

894
00:43:12,979 --> 00:43:16,896
A little bit, you know, anxious

895
00:43:16,938 --> 00:43:18,261
about going out again tomorrow.

896
00:43:18,303 --> 00:43:19,848
But, just gotta eat today

897
00:43:19,890 --> 00:43:22,668
and make sure to make the most of the rest

898
00:43:22,710 --> 00:43:25,936
and get as much food down as humanly possible.

899
00:43:25,978 --> 00:43:28,561
(upbeat music)

900
00:43:30,990 --> 00:43:32,538
- Some people come here

901
00:43:32,580 --> 00:43:34,368
and they think that they are well-trained

902
00:43:34,410 --> 00:43:36,048
because they did some other races

903
00:43:36,090 --> 00:43:39,408
but, it's another story, you know, to live in the desert

904
00:43:39,450 --> 00:43:42,678
and to be able to do 250 kilometers, it's another story.

905
00:43:42,720 --> 00:43:44,298
Here the problem is the temperature.

906
00:43:44,340 --> 00:43:48,258
We have two things, is the heat and your feet.

907
00:43:48,300 --> 00:43:50,148
We are not talking about small blisters,

908
00:43:50,190 --> 00:43:52,098
like with your shoes, in your city.

909
00:43:52,140 --> 00:43:55,128
We are talking about some blister, like potatoes.

910
00:43:55,170 --> 00:43:57,258
That's why you have to take care of your feet

911
00:43:57,300 --> 00:43:58,308
every day, okay.

912
00:43:58,350 --> 00:44:01,398
Because with the sand, it can be a big problem.

913
00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:02,273
And the heat.

914
00:44:03,547 --> 00:44:06,130
(gentle music)

915
00:44:25,925 --> 00:44:27,981
- I found today, that after a long stage like that,

916
00:44:28,023 --> 00:44:30,228
I've had a chance to, kind of, daydream of it

917
00:44:30,270 --> 00:44:33,078
and think about getting over halfway

918
00:44:33,120 --> 00:44:35,860
and thinking about how clear it is that

919
00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:40,218
most people have got something.

920
00:44:40,260 --> 00:44:42,190
The one resounding

921
00:44:43,050 --> 00:44:46,482
bit of drive, that's coming forward,

922
00:44:46,524 --> 00:44:48,124
is to help young people who have

923
00:44:50,037 --> 00:44:53,388
got something going on, that isn't considered normal.

924
00:44:53,430 --> 00:44:56,778
- Having a neurodivergent condition, such as ADHD,

925
00:44:56,820 --> 00:44:58,338
has its challenges.

926
00:44:58,380 --> 00:45:00,888
Some of those challenges, in childhood

927
00:45:00,930 --> 00:45:02,538
or when you're a teenager,

928
00:45:02,580 --> 00:45:05,448
a young person can be really difficult

929
00:45:05,490 --> 00:45:06,468
getting help with that

930
00:45:06,510 --> 00:45:08,868
or getting other people to relate to you better,

931
00:45:08,910 --> 00:45:12,738
knowing better how you tick, how you can pass exams,

932
00:45:12,780 --> 00:45:14,388
talk to people, socialize, all the things

933
00:45:14,430 --> 00:45:16,998
that some people take for absolute granted.

934
00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:19,278
Some people with ADHD really struggle with.

935
00:45:19,320 --> 00:45:21,798
There is an increased suicide rate

936
00:45:21,840 --> 00:45:23,748
and that could be possibly addressed

937
00:45:23,790 --> 00:45:25,158
by helping people earlier.

938
00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:27,618
- All focus should be on trying to avoid people

939
00:45:27,660 --> 00:45:29,748
getting to a point where they take their own lives

940
00:45:29,790 --> 00:45:33,468
or spiral into some form of unnecessary depression,

941
00:45:33,510 --> 00:45:35,628
whether they're a male or female.

942
00:45:35,670 --> 00:45:37,743
It does seem to be a common denominator,

943
00:45:38,670 --> 00:45:43,368
women feel like they're not talked about enough,

944
00:45:43,410 --> 00:45:45,321
in regards to ADHD because of the way

945
00:45:45,363 --> 00:45:47,478
that they seem to develop when they're young.

946
00:45:47,520 --> 00:45:50,658
It's just the void between the two genders,

947
00:45:50,700 --> 00:45:52,115
I think, is just less clear

948
00:45:52,157 --> 00:45:54,378
'cause boys seem so much more immature

949
00:45:54,420 --> 00:45:56,868
and it just comes to the front earlier.

950
00:45:56,910 --> 00:46:00,168
- We have a massive problem in the underdiagnosis,

951
00:46:00,210 --> 00:46:01,038
a full stop.

952
00:46:01,080 --> 00:46:04,218
But we have a bigger
underdiagnosis problem in girls.

953
00:46:04,260 --> 00:46:07,308
That stereotype, are you a little boy running around

954
00:46:07,350 --> 00:46:08,448
and are you disruptive?

955
00:46:08,490 --> 00:46:10,458
Whereas, a little girl is
more likely to be disruptive,

956
00:46:10,500 --> 00:46:11,628
really, to herself.

957
00:46:11,670 --> 00:46:12,858
And on top of that,

958
00:46:12,900 --> 00:46:16,488
a lot of the research has been male only.

959
00:46:16,530 --> 00:46:20,028
And so, that understanding of women and girls,

960
00:46:20,070 --> 00:46:22,620
has not been researched properly and needs to be.

961
00:46:22,662 --> 00:46:23,453
- Basically, you should be able to talk about

962
00:46:23,495 --> 00:46:24,438
whatever you wanna talk about,

963
00:46:24,480 --> 00:46:25,993
with whoever you wanna talk about it with.

964
00:46:26,035 --> 00:46:26,826
(Simon laughs)

965
00:46:26,868 --> 00:46:27,910
That's the bottom line.

966
00:46:29,213 --> 00:46:31,963
(dramatic music)

967
00:46:56,340 --> 00:46:58,578
My pack feels a lot lighter.

968
00:46:58,620 --> 00:47:00,303
I think having a day's rest,

969
00:47:01,260 --> 00:47:03,438
fuck, it just makes such a difference.

970
00:47:03,480 --> 00:47:05,508
But, I'm not blind to the fact

971
00:47:05,550 --> 00:47:07,528
this could be short-lived, so,

972
00:47:07,570 --> 00:47:09,258
I'll just try and gun as much as I can,

973
00:47:09,300 --> 00:47:11,203
until the sun gets hotter.

974
00:47:14,349 --> 00:47:15,601
- [Runner] We're getting stronger baby.

975
00:47:15,643 --> 00:47:18,226
(gentle music)

976
00:47:20,716 --> 00:47:22,305
- No?

977
00:47:22,347 --> 00:47:24,168
28.4 anyways now.

978
00:47:24,210 --> 00:47:25,001
- Already?

979
00:47:25,043 --> 00:47:25,834
- Yep.

980
00:47:25,876 --> 00:47:26,826
- Great, thank you.

981
00:47:26,868 --> 00:47:27,888
- You know, in this race,

982
00:47:27,930 --> 00:47:31,578
you can find some very, very different people.

983
00:47:31,620 --> 00:47:34,008
That mean you have some CEO of companies

984
00:47:34,050 --> 00:47:35,448
and you have some workers.

985
00:47:35,490 --> 00:47:39,138
In this race, they are not anymore CEO or workers.

986
00:47:39,180 --> 00:47:42,078
They are in the same camp, they have the same tent,

987
00:47:42,120 --> 00:47:44,058
they have the same things.

988
00:47:44,100 --> 00:47:47,946
- The mind that I need to tame periodically,

989
00:47:47,988 --> 00:47:49,368
feels like it's at, you know,

990
00:47:49,410 --> 00:47:51,588
a relative peace, at the moment.

991
00:47:51,630 --> 00:47:56,418
Kind of, found my own ways of treating myself.

992
00:47:56,460 --> 00:47:59,148
It's very severe but, you know,

993
00:47:59,190 --> 00:48:03,174
I'll feel good for months, not days.

994
00:48:03,216 --> 00:48:05,966
(dramatic music)

995
00:48:19,980 --> 00:48:22,218
- It's almost like you can't cool yourself down

996
00:48:22,260 --> 00:48:23,051
quicker than you're heating up.

997
00:48:23,093 --> 00:48:26,688
So it's just like a bit of a chess game, really.

998
00:48:26,730 --> 00:48:27,828
Keep your sodium levels right,

999
00:48:27,870 --> 00:48:29,538
keep the fluids constantly going in.

1000
00:48:29,580 --> 00:48:30,480
- Dave, you going.

1001
00:48:32,540 --> 00:48:34,753
(dramatic music)

1002
00:48:34,795 --> 00:48:37,973
My pee is dark orange, almost blood orange.

1003
00:48:39,103 --> 00:48:40,970
You've got such a huge calorie deficit.

1004
00:48:42,435 --> 00:48:43,968
Your body's just eating itself.

1005
00:48:44,010 --> 00:48:44,838
- It's a machine.

1006
00:48:44,880 --> 00:48:48,108
It's widely regarded as being the hardest foot race

1007
00:48:48,150 --> 00:48:48,941
on the planet.

1008
00:48:48,983 --> 00:48:51,195
Essentially, you're there to get yourself through it.

1009
00:48:51,237 --> 00:48:53,687
But you are an island in the Sahara.

1010
00:48:54,928 --> 00:48:57,678
(dramatic music)

1011
00:49:00,356 --> 00:49:03,678
- Flats, runable and then it just went into dune, sand

1012
00:49:03,720 --> 00:49:05,793
and hell, you know, it's just stifling.

1013
00:49:07,296 --> 00:49:08,087
(dramatic music)

1014
00:49:08,129 --> 00:49:09,803
That was very difficult.

1015
00:49:09,845 --> 00:49:11,378
Ah!

1016
00:49:11,420 --> 00:49:13,491
(dramatic music)

1017
00:49:13,533 --> 00:49:14,366
- Top job.

1018
00:49:16,590 --> 00:49:18,228
- So we're going down a route here,

1019
00:49:18,270 --> 00:49:21,468
where we're choosing to talk really openly about it.

1020
00:49:21,510 --> 00:49:23,088
Most people don't have that

1021
00:49:23,130 --> 00:49:25,788
and they're just locked off to it, you know,

1022
00:49:25,830 --> 00:49:29,268
to the point that it really alienates themselves

1023
00:49:29,310 --> 00:49:30,101
from their own life.

1024
00:49:30,143 --> 00:49:34,518
I see my son, who's got ADHD and I see myself,

1025
00:49:34,560 --> 00:49:36,378
as, at his age.

1026
00:49:36,420 --> 00:49:38,418
He can't help it, you know,

1027
00:49:38,460 --> 00:49:41,058
it's just electricity coming out of

1028
00:49:41,100 --> 00:49:43,428
his every pore, at different points

1029
00:49:43,470 --> 00:49:44,928
and he doesn't know what to do with that.

1030
00:49:44,970 --> 00:49:49,308
- We know that 76% of ADHD
can be described genetically.

1031
00:49:49,350 --> 00:49:51,558
We've seen that through a whole lot of studies,

1032
00:49:51,600 --> 00:49:52,728
particularly twin studies.

1033
00:49:52,770 --> 00:49:56,268
Almost every case, if one identical twin has ADHD,

1034
00:49:56,310 --> 00:49:58,183
the other has ADHD.

1035
00:49:58,225 --> 00:50:00,975
(dramatic music)

1036
00:50:06,930 --> 00:50:09,663
- Little bit of a negative mindset.

1037
00:50:12,780 --> 00:50:14,813
Just haven't been able to get into a rhythm.

1038
00:50:15,733 --> 00:50:17,591
The desert is a beautiful, beautiful place

1039
00:50:17,633 --> 00:50:19,413
but it's ruthless.

1040
00:50:22,530 --> 00:50:24,228
Training of the mind.

1041
00:50:24,270 --> 00:50:26,148
Pick yourself up, go again.

1042
00:50:26,190 --> 00:50:29,088
Don't lose your focus and your temper.

1043
00:50:29,130 --> 00:50:33,010
Take things in a balanced way

1044
00:50:33,870 --> 00:50:36,213
and then, eventually, you get what you want.

1045
00:50:37,410 --> 00:50:38,243
More dreams.

1046
00:50:52,680 --> 00:50:54,678
I had a horrible night's sleep.

1047
00:50:54,720 --> 00:50:57,069
Mentally, I'm choosing not
to be very positive right now.

1048
00:50:57,111 --> 00:51:00,611
But, the fact is, we've got one last push.

1049
00:51:02,880 --> 00:51:05,688
It's been an amazing experience, in some respects.

1050
00:51:05,730 --> 00:51:07,878
It's been incredible just to talk to people

1051
00:51:07,920 --> 00:51:10,938
so openly about ADHD.

1052
00:51:10,980 --> 00:51:12,978
It feels like it's almost a relief for people

1053
00:51:13,020 --> 00:51:14,778
to open up and talk about it.

1054
00:51:14,820 --> 00:51:18,108
And perhaps we're assisting in creating a bridge

1055
00:51:18,150 --> 00:51:19,350
to allow that to happen.

1056
00:51:23,400 --> 00:51:24,258
- People say it changes you.

1057
00:51:24,300 --> 00:51:25,938
You don't believe them but it does change us.

1058
00:51:25,980 --> 00:51:28,518
- I think everyone here definitely has a story.

1059
00:51:28,560 --> 00:51:30,618
I was meant to do it with my brother and he died.

1060
00:51:30,660 --> 00:51:32,298
And then, my mum's unwell,

1061
00:51:32,340 --> 00:51:34,608
so I'm doing it to raise money for her hospital.

1062
00:51:34,650 --> 00:51:37,908
Unless you've got a reason, you're not gonna finish it.

1063
00:51:37,950 --> 00:51:40,878
- I think, sometimes you need to push your limits,

1064
00:51:40,920 --> 00:51:42,228
just to feel alive.

1065
00:51:42,270 --> 00:51:43,128
- I think it's just going home

1066
00:51:43,170 --> 00:51:44,568
and appreciate things a bit more.

1067
00:51:44,610 --> 00:51:46,050
Kind of puts it all in perspective.

1068
00:51:46,092 --> 00:51:48,675
(crowd cheers)

1069
00:51:52,650 --> 00:51:55,938
- There's nothing more valuable than actual examples

1070
00:51:55,980 --> 00:51:58,938
of people who have got ADHD.

1071
00:51:58,980 --> 00:52:01,608
People just don't like talking about it,

1072
00:52:01,650 --> 00:52:05,508
until it impacts them or there's a kid in their family

1073
00:52:05,550 --> 00:52:06,341
who's got it.

1074
00:52:06,383 --> 00:52:09,768
Should it be taught in school, what these things are?

1075
00:52:09,810 --> 00:52:12,045
- Being more open, talking about it.

1076
00:52:12,087 --> 00:52:15,198
And then knowing that
having ADHD doesn't necessarily

1077
00:52:15,240 --> 00:52:17,298
limit you from doing something.

1078
00:52:17,340 --> 00:52:19,128
- It can be addressed far earlier.

1079
00:52:19,170 --> 00:52:20,538
And before it gets a chance

1080
00:52:20,580 --> 00:52:23,808
to develop into something a bit more suspect,

1081
00:52:23,850 --> 00:52:26,478
it can be blocks off and rediverted.

1082
00:52:26,520 --> 00:52:28,728
That really is where this goes.

1083
00:52:28,770 --> 00:52:30,363
But that isn't a quick fix.

1084
00:52:32,040 --> 00:52:33,378
A lot of pain.

1085
00:52:33,420 --> 00:52:35,680
- This is the hardest thing I've ever done.

1086
00:52:35,722 --> 00:52:37,818
Hand down, hardest thing I've ever done.

1087
00:52:37,860 --> 00:52:39,198
- I think it's really important

1088
00:52:39,240 --> 00:52:42,258
to help people find a diagnosis early.

1089
00:52:42,300 --> 00:52:44,928
- A diagnosis turns the lights up

1090
00:52:44,970 --> 00:52:47,778
and suddenly you can see your mates, you can navigate.

1091
00:52:47,820 --> 00:52:48,738
When we talk to people,

1092
00:52:48,780 --> 00:52:50,808
we know how life-changing it is for them.

1093
00:52:50,850 --> 00:52:52,195
- Same time.

1094
00:52:52,237 --> 00:52:53,028
We go ahead.

1095
00:52:53,070 --> 00:52:55,820
(dramatic music)

1096
00:52:57,479 --> 00:52:58,270
- Living with ADHD,

1097
00:52:58,312 --> 00:53:00,078
you've gotta make some quite big decisions.

1098
00:53:00,120 --> 00:53:02,718
When to push yourself and when to be kind to yourself.

1099
00:53:02,760 --> 00:53:05,598
You can only really do that
if you really properly know.

1100
00:53:05,640 --> 00:53:08,058
If you have a formal diagnosis.

1101
00:53:08,100 --> 00:53:09,468
- There is a sense of, sort of,

1102
00:53:09,510 --> 00:53:11,298
coming home, being understood

1103
00:53:11,340 --> 00:53:12,168
and that's really common

1104
00:53:12,210 --> 00:53:14,448
when somebody has an ADHD diagnosis, is, sort of,

1105
00:53:14,490 --> 00:53:17,238
coming to understand why they are the way they are.

1106
00:53:17,280 --> 00:53:20,208
- It's like a light bulb and you're so happy

1107
00:53:20,250 --> 00:53:22,488
because you're like, I knew something was wrong.

1108
00:53:22,530 --> 00:53:24,228
That explains everything.

1109
00:53:24,270 --> 00:53:27,108
- I think he just was happy to go, yes, I do have that.

1110
00:53:27,150 --> 00:53:28,608
- Where he comes into his own though,

1111
00:53:28,650 --> 00:53:30,798
it provides you with hyperfocus,

1112
00:53:30,840 --> 00:53:32,328
especially around things

1113
00:53:32,370 --> 00:53:34,218
that you're genuinely interested in.

1114
00:53:34,260 --> 00:53:35,118
- And so the enlightenment

1115
00:53:35,160 --> 00:53:38,238
of actually knowing, is life-changing.

1116
00:53:38,280 --> 00:53:40,098
- You've got the keys to the car.

1117
00:53:40,140 --> 00:53:41,748
You can seek help for that.

1118
00:53:41,790 --> 00:53:42,735
You can get medication for that.

1119
00:53:42,777 --> 00:53:44,238
You can look at support groups.

1120
00:53:44,280 --> 00:53:46,458
- You can start to really play to your strengths

1121
00:53:46,500 --> 00:53:47,538
and manage your weaknesses

1122
00:53:47,580 --> 00:53:48,858
in a way you just couldn't before.

1123
00:53:48,900 --> 00:53:50,538
- Knowing how you tick, helps you function.

1124
00:53:50,580 --> 00:53:55,580
I think it could just lead to a
happier, more informed you,

1125
00:53:55,650 --> 00:53:58,338
which, essentially, is what we're all aiming for.

1126
00:53:58,380 --> 00:53:59,780
It's a peace with ourselves.

1127
00:54:01,437 --> 00:54:05,748
- 2021, it's just represented so many things.

1128
00:54:05,790 --> 00:54:07,278
It wasn't just about the race.

1129
00:54:07,320 --> 00:54:09,123
I stared into the voids that year.

1130
00:54:10,740 --> 00:54:15,108
This is a realization of how far I've come.

1131
00:54:15,150 --> 00:54:16,908
I've used something that I've probably known I've had,

1132
00:54:16,950 --> 00:54:21,798
for a long time, as an
extremely positive influence on,

1133
00:54:21,840 --> 00:54:23,478
for many, many things.

1134
00:54:23,520 --> 00:54:26,358
There's absolutely no doubt that it's meaningful

1135
00:54:26,400 --> 00:54:29,868
and powerful, if it could be understood.

1136
00:54:29,910 --> 00:54:33,948
But that's different in every single child and adult.

1137
00:54:33,990 --> 00:54:36,768
And that's why it can't be, just labeled.

1138
00:54:36,810 --> 00:54:37,953
It has to be broader.

1139
00:54:39,810 --> 00:54:40,980
I see the finish line.

1140
00:54:47,031 --> 00:54:49,614
(crowd cheers)

1141
00:54:51,297 --> 00:54:54,047
(dramatic music)

1142
00:54:57,887 --> 00:55:00,470
(crowd cheers)

1143
00:55:02,936 --> 00:55:04,604
Yes, yes, yes!

1144
00:55:04,646 --> 00:55:07,396
(dramatic music)

1145
00:55:49,755 --> 00:55:53,338
(dramatic music continues)