#3.12 How Nature Saved Kane Ford’s Life

We Are Explorers Podcast

Please note! This article and podcast contain references to mental health and suicide.

This week Tim is joined by Kane Ford, a Movember ambassador, and founder and guide for Get Outside Australia. Kane opens up about the series of events that led to him quitting his corporate job, reconnecting with nature, and confronting his anxiety.

From growing up as a gay kid in a country town, to working a high-pressure corporate job, anxiety has been a constant throughout Kane’s life – but it wasn’t something he ever talked about. It took a series of panic attacks to force him to confront it and make a decision about his future.

While this episode won’t give you all the answers on how to find balance or deal with anxiety, it’ll explain how Kane is constantly working to find his own balance.

Kane’s also raising money as a Movember Ambassador! Check out his Mo Space to donate and follow @getoutside.australia to stay up to date with the epic hiking challenge he’s tackling this year as part of the fundraising!

In This Episode We Cover:

• • Kane’s early life
  • Feeling isolated in high school as a gay kid in a country town
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • The importance of destigmatising conversations about mental health
  • Beginning Get Outside to share the power of the outdoors
  • Working with Movember
  • Checking in with others and yourself
  • How to improve the experience of the LGBTQIA+ in the outdoor community
  • The goal of Get Outside Australia

If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out to:

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

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