Brian Mason is one of more than 2,000 people who recently signed up to take part in the March On Challenge. His mantra, “one more step”, is a driving force to tackle not only mental health but also to complete the 96KM trek over just two days.
As with many of the Australians taking part in the challenge, Brian is marching on for a family member. Brian grew up wanting to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. His Dad, Stephen, served from 1973 before retiring in 1993 as a Sergeant. Unfortunately, Brian is colourblind, which prevented him from joining the Defence Force. Stephen as an incredibly proud parent, is aware that Brian is trying to prove to himself that he can do this challenge.
Brian has seen through his Dad’s Defence career just how hard it is to talk to people and to try to improve, as commonly, men’s mental health, in particular, faces the ‘man up’ mentality. Brian’s hope is that more people will open up and start talking, to “take one more step and not give up.”
Brian is an amateur endurance athlete wanting to push himself in more ways than one. “There’s no reason I can’t try to be better”, he said. Every step after 53KM will be a new personal best for Brian. With the support of the Caboolture Road Runners and training support from the Muscle Hut Gym on the Sunshine Coast, he will be running from South Brisbane Memorial Park through Chermside, Redcliffe and Deception Bay, before making his way to Beerwah where he is finishing his trek.
Along the way, he intends to stop by as many War Memorials as possible as a sign of respect to those who have fallen and served. Brian has been training in preparation for the event and has welcomed anyone to join him if they wish. The Fundraising team, as well as the broader Soldier On team, would like to wish Brian luck with this momentous plan.
You can donate to Brian’s March On fundraiser or join Soldier On by starting your own challenge.
