Explore Your Core

I’m joined by Lucy Bartholomew, one of Australia’s top trail runners, who’s been absolutely crushing it on home soil recently. She came onto the scene young and has a lot to share from what she’s learnt on this episode. Outside of finish lines and course records, Lucy shows what it means to be authentic and follow her curiosity. Lucy has been shaping the narrative of how we view the sport and our bodies, and we talk about her journey over the last 12 years, how her attitudes changed and how she’s kept the love for the sport. With her job as an athlete, which is not only unpredictable but also high-pressure, she shares how she remains calm with her main supports- her Dad and dog, how she finds a feeling of home when on the move, and what community provides her. Lucy talks about her mindset, that you can only control two things: Your effort and your attitude. “If you lead with curiosity, excitement and confidence, you can’t lose, but if you’re using it as something to prove or to release negative emotions, you’ll only get so far”She’s changing the narrative on how we view distances, what it means to be successful in the field, and how we view our bodies- watch out as she’s a force to be reckoned with!You can follow her on socials here.Until next episode, Explore Your CoreThanks for reading Explore Your Core! Subscribe for free to keep up to date with the latest episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

I am joined with Hilary McAllistar the CEO of For Wild Places, who explores and protects wild places. She’s an advocate, speaker and facilitator who is a trailblazer in the space. We talk about her journey starting up For Wild Places in COVID; the challenges, the growth and the setbacks and the impact it is making now. She talks on her experience being the CEO and learning when to take a step back.“I think the hardest part is trying to disconnect and switch off, you know that if it doesn’t happen today it’s not the end of the world and if it doesn’t happen next month it’s not the end of the world”. But she speaks to the benefit of community, the support you have when people have your back and having the courage to make change even when it brings discomfort because ultimately ‘people are quick to forget’ and soon the new becomes the norm.You can check out For Wild Places and Hilary's feed on socials as well as the website. Photo Cred: Calumn Hockey Until next episode, Explore Your Core Thanks for reading Explore Your Core ! Subscribe to stay up to date with new episodes This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

In this weeks episode I am joined with Brooke McIntosh. She’s taken things to a whole new level, after completing a 1600km run from Pilbara to Perth in 2023, she decided to run 14,200kms around Australia for suicide prevention with a mission to help spark ‘just one more’ conversation. Even after these two huge feats, this is only the beggining for Brooke as she continues to make ripples in this space. I first came across Brooke’s film ‘Impact to Ignite’ at the Gutsy Girls Film Festival, and later down the track got to meet up with her in Melbourne during her run around Aus and I’ve been able to see her skyrocket firsthand as she continues to shape what we know to be possible and the way we talk about mental health.It took a head-on car crash for Brooke to realise things weren’t okay. In the middle of her FIFO work, she had some big realisations and the seed and for the run began here in the workplace. On the podcast, we talk about finding the courage to do things that scare you, even when you have no prior proof to back you and what it takes to be courageous. She talked of some of the tools she used to improve her self-esteem, the way she speaks to herself and how to build a brighter outlook on life. She also states how having a sense of community and connection has impacted her wellbeing and why it’s so important to have. She speaks on how getting diagnosed with ADHD acted as a permission slip to live outside the box, do things differently and go all in. ”I said to myself, if I wasn’t to do this, how many lives would I not be impacting, or how many people am I doing a disservice to by not sharing my voice, by not creating the impact, by not being all of me and bringing all of me” You can follow Brooke’s journey on socials, her website and can donate to Blue Tree Project here. Until next episode, Explore Your Core Thanks for reading Explore Your Core! Subscribe to stay up to date with new episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Squamish artist and backcountry guide, Jessa Gilbert.Jessa’s approach to life seeps into her work, art and everyday- she has a knack for finding joy. Jessa has recently produced a short film “Drawn in” and done a live painting at the BANFF Film Festival and over the years has collaborated with brands such as Burton, Yeti, Leatherman and Roxy, as well as done graphics for the Women’s Adventure Film Tour and been in numerous mural festivals. Her works are brightening the towns and mountain slopes and bringing joy to so many places and spaces. As well as an artist, Jessa is a backcountry splitboard and hiking guide who froths the outdoors.In this episode, we talk about her journey to becoming an artist and guide, her change in identity after injury, imposter syndrome and the power of having a team to make ideas come to life. “Seth Godin talks about imposter syndrome as this beautiful moment where you’re at the cusp of what you know and what you don’t. And it’s actually a really good place to be if you’re trying to do something new or different, because it means that you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone and into a new arena.”We also talk about the similarities in art and adventure in it’s ability to foster curiosity, bring joy and learn through trial and error. “It’s like, you gotta be good in your own head. You can be your best ally and your worst enemy on the same day, multiple times, but it doesn’t help you to beat yourself up.”You can follow her epic journeys and works on socials, watch her film "Drawn In" and find out more about her on her website. Until next episode, Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

For episode 89 of the Explore Your Core Podcast, I am joined by Matt Glover, Lead Guide at Forest Therapy Victoria and Director of MGA Counselling Services. I went down to Mount Dandenong to join Matt as he led a forest therapy session as part of a Zorali x Forest Therapy Victoria event. What I experienced over the following 3 hours was remarkable. He spoke about how time in nature can lower cortisol levels, increase calmness and mood and that mindful walking can induce ‘soft fascination’ which allows us to recover from overload, increasing creativity. As well, he spoke about how the trees emit phytoncides, natural compounds that protect plants and boost our immune systems when inhaled all of which I got to experience firsthand. He mentioned how shared forest therapy experiences increase social bonding, lowering isolation and enhancing wellbeing, which is why experiences like this are more important than ever. I then had the honour to chat further with Matt on the podcast, where he shares his story with Forest Therapy. Forest Therapy or Shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”), started in Japan as a response to rising stress and burnout and is a slow, sensory immersion in nature that invites presence, mindfulness, and connection to the natural world- you could say you return to ‘nature time’ which is far slower than the speed we often operate at. In the episode, we talk about the role of storytelling, metaphors and how feeling a sense of belonging is important for healing. He raises the term Biophillia, ‘Bio’ meaning life, ‘phillia’ meaning love, so ‘a love of life’ and the biophillia effect, which refers to the health effects we receive when we connect with the natural world. We talk about how we can bring more of that connection with nature into our daily lives such as eating outside, gardening and having more greenery inside and chat about the idea of a nature prescription. And if you were already persuaded how healing nature can be here’s a few more incredible things time in nature does:-Increase Natural Killer cell activity which is important for fighting viruses and cancer cells which effects can last days to weeks- Interoception which is the awareness of internal body signals improve and supports emotional clarity and resilience- Increases social bonding, lowering isolation - Decreases heart rate and blood pressure and breathing deepensYou can find out more about the Forest Therapy Experiences with Matt Glover here and on socials, and his counselling services here. The new book will soon be released and available through Zorali. Until next episode, Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On episode 89 of the Explore Your Core Podcast, I talk with Pauly James, who is currently riding 18 000kms around Australia for youth mental health. He joins me in the middle of his trip, having just crossed the WA border. On this episode, Pauly talks about his experience with depression and how he realised it’s never too late to rewrite the narrative. With this realisation, he had the idea of riding around Australia to shine a light and inspire people, raising money for Human Nature . “You hold the pen to the script that you get to write for your life.” In 2022, Pauly started to see that nothing was working, so he committed to trying everything he hadn’t done yet. This ended up in traveling the world for 9 months- from exploring Volcanos to the Himilayas, to hiking the Camino De Santiago. This opened his eyes up to a world he didn’t know existed- one that was far more expansive than the walls we was confined to thinking ‘this was it’.He realised how changing his environment could change his perspective and went on a mission helping other people change their environment through an organisation called Human Nature which is a youth mental health service that focuses on youth empowerment through outdoor therapy. Episode now live! You can donate to Human Nature on his website. Be sure to follow along the journey on his socials here.Until next episode, Explore Your Core Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest episode on the Explore Your Core Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

Eric Philips is no stranger to the unknown- he has pioneered his life around exploring where people haven’t gone before. This venture has led him to become a polar explorer, guide, and astronaut as well as an educator and author. Eric’s feats are nothing short of remarkable, from becoming the first Australian alongside Jon Muir to ski both the North and South Poles, pioneering numerous new routes to the South Pole and a sea-to-sea crossing of Greenland by using skis, kites and kayaks. He was also onboard Fram2 which was the first spacecraft to fly in polar orbit, spending almost 4 days in space and completing 55 orbits over the North and South Poles.Eric shares his earliest recollection being fascinated by space; that was when he was 7 years old, watching the first moon landing on a black and white TV in his school classroom. It wasn’t until years down the track when he crossed paths with someone while guiding that this dream was able to come to fruition. On the podcast, Eric talks about his journey, how he knew what to follow when there was no clear path ahead and how he navigated staying on track even when ‘the longitudes inevitably pull you in different ways’. Eric also talks about his space travel and polar expeditions and we discuss the different ways of going about it, how expeditions allow for time to disconnect and the challenges we face with constant stimulation. “Go back to what makes the blood surge through your veins, what makes your heart skip a beat when you see something that inspires you… follow that little lead, chances are it’s going to take you to amazing places.” Episode now live! Subscribe to keep up to date with new podcast episodes You can follow him on socials and find out more on his website as well as the space missin with F2 here. To find out about upcoming Svalbard and Greenland expeditions, head over to Ice Trek. Until the next episode, Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

A year ago, runner Nick Kumar took the reins and hosted the Explore Your Core Podcast to hear my experience crewing Sean Bell from Townsville to Darwin as he ran around Australia. A year on, we met up to talk about what has happened since. On this episode, I talk about some of the challenges living a nomadic life brings and how it’s hard to feel grounded while being on the move. I also chat about what draws me to the mountains, Mount Beauty, and the community of a mountain town. We speak of the recent New Zealand expedition, where a short film is to be released soon as well as the Zorali short film that came out, 'The Curious Path' Alongside that, I talk about the realisation that crewing Sean Bell, sailing with James and the New Zealand trip have shown me that possibilities are limitless.I open up about my journey with ADHD and how I have learnt to honor it and lean on it’s strengths, and my last few months dealing with iron deficiency and learning to listen to my body. The episode is now live on Substack and Spotify Until next episode,Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On episode 85 of the Explore Your Core Podcast I am joined with film maker, adventurer and ultra runner Benny Plunkett. Benny has had a plethora of experiences that have shaped him- from hitchiking across Australia to attempting to run 15 peaks in a day, it’s an episode filled with insight. Halfway through Benny’s Uni degree he decided to leave for Canada, when we returned months later, he didn’t see himself in the work he was previously doing. He looked elsewhere and discovered an avenue that would lead him into the guiding world. We talk about the change that it brought about, how he began to blend guiding with photography and the challenges he found now working as a creative.We talk about descion making and how sometimes, they can be crucial ‘sink or swim’ moments where you either rise up, and love it or realise it’s not for you. We also talk about the transition into creative work and how the early period can be challenging to navigate with learning the demands, handling crititsm but also can be the best way to give it a try and do it without the pressures that can build when the expecations increase. “It’s easy to get caught up comparing yourself with others in the ceative field”. We speak about how important it is to go through the archives and the journey to get to where you are and see the progress and celebrate the wins that have got you there. In this episode we discuss labels we put on ourselves or by others and the power of defying categories. We also touch on as the lessons his own projects that have taught him. “We are so much more than the box we put ourselves in”You can follow his journey on socials here.Make sure to follow along to keep up to date with new episodes!Until next one,Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On episode 84 of the Explore Your Core Podcast, I am joined by Ange Malysheva, a climbing instructor and guide from the Blue Mountains. Ange’s passion for the mountains and rocks seeps into every part of her life and she is not only pushing her boundaries in the climbing space but also bringing women’s empowerment into the space with an initiative called RAWQ that helps build skill, knowledge and confidence. Her connection to climbing started in her 20’s when she felt like something had been missing. She first got into hiking, and while travelling and couch surfing, came across a climber who introduced her to the world of climbing and eventually got into mountaineering, canyoning and guiding. “I think it was the feeling of flow, I just remember not thinking about anything else and just being in it.” On the podcast, we talk about connection and how the vulnerability in climbing allows for deep and quick connections to be formed, as well as the mindset of fear and dealing with stressful situations. We also talk about the climbing initiative RAWQ (Rescue and Adventure climbing for Women and Queer) and how that came to be.“I remember hitting my head against this wall, like I would love to be able to do that, but I don’t know how and I don’t know where to start.” Ange talks about what she has learnt from bringing RAWQ to life, her years of adventuring and pushing her limits. “I think it’s really important for people to know that we all fail and that’s how we build our confidence, by failing time and time again and learning.” Listen to the full episode on Substack, Spotify or Apple Podcast. You can follow Ange on socials and find out more about RAWQ here.Subscribe to stay up to date with new episodes.Until next episode,- Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On Episode 83 of the Explore Your Core Podcast I am joined with Adventure Psychologist Paula Reid from the UK. Paula Reid lives by the motto “living life to the full” and what she has accomplsihed and her attitude towards life show she has truly embraced that motto. Paula has skiied 1000km from the coast of Antarctica to the south pole, a journey hauling an 80kg sled over 46 days. She has also sailed around the world in the worlds toughest Yacht race and cycled across 17 countries. On the podcast, we talk about her recent trip volunteering in Ukraine and the broadened persepctive she came back with. We also talk about the conflicting pull- the moment you realise you have the path you ‘should follow’ and the path you have a pull for, and speak about what gave her the courage to listen to that pull and pave her own path where there wasn’t a clear way forward.“It was about 20 years ago that I realised this could be a lifestyle and that it’s okay to be me and it’s actually better, I feel more alive and therefore I’m able to put more energy back into the world”She talks about a positive psychology model called PERMA which makes up the core elements needed for wellbeing- Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment and how important having meaningful conversations and relationships and a sense of purpose are for our wellbeing. Paua’s story shows it’s not about chasing happiness, it’s about honoring all the human emotions we have by seeking richness in experience. Follow the Explore Your Core Podcast to stay up to date with new epsisodes. You can find Paula Reid here and on socials.Until the next episode,Explore Your Core. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On this episode of the Explore Your Core Podcast, I am joined with Bohie. Bohie isn’t just an artist- she is a change maker, a pioneer, and shaping how we see the world. Growing up in Braidwood, NSW, she studied drawing and printmaking, and what underpins many of the works she does across the diverse mediums she uses is story. Her fascination with stories led her to get a camera and roam the streets during her gap year, keeping a sketchbook with her while she travelled, capturing moments through drawings and quotes from hostels. She began to find her voice looking at the spaces between us. We talk about the struggles of having your voice dampened and some of the struggles of finding the balance between being a creative and doing commercial projects as well as being in this field as a woman. She speaks about her journey finding who she authentically was after finding herself in the skate community after a breakup and not knowing where she stood as a female in that space. In the years that followed, she came to realise she wasn’t okay and turned inwards to heal. We spoke about creativity and depression, how she found art to be therapeutic, and her battles with imposter syndrome. “Our language is so limited. We label everything, but every single label has connotations and baggage attached to it and visuals cut through that.”With a 10 year background in sign writing, she came to see the power that words played in her life and how words trapped her- creating categories, connotations, and labels. We discuss labels and mental health and the stigma of different labels. She speaks about the depths her depression took her to and how she now sees those depths as a place she gets to explore and enhance her capacity to feel.We talk about perspectives and how a zoomed-out perspective on life can make people feel everything is connected. Alongside perspective, we touch on how self-talk can be impactful, especially to combat the negative narratives within, and how curiosity can become a counteract method for overcoming fear. "Curiosity is playfulness. It’s about letting yourself be in awe of anything, even if you just look at a concrete wall, you can find playfulness, or sit there long enough until the light changes or shadows play up against it. It’s just opening yourself up.” Bohie’s works have been deeply rooted in healing from these life situations and has found it transformative inviting others into her projects turning them into community-driven mural projects that raise the voices and awareness of these issues. You can find her work on her Website and socials here, you can check out her creative agency called Raw Initiative and the book she mentioned in the podcast Women Who Run With The Wolves Follow Explore Your Core on Substack or Spotify to stay up to date. Would love to hear your thoughts on this chat!Until next episode,-Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

What’s sitting on the other side of fear’-Tim Ferris On epsiode 81 of the Explore Your Core Podcast I chat with Gianni Valenti, a friend of mine who I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with over the years and who has been there as we navigate our own way through the unknown and fear. I wanted to chat to him about his journey and what gave him the courage to change the direction he was going in, how he deals with the uncertainty and his mindset and approach to these situations. Gianni’s trajectory was in finacial planning in Geelong, that was until he decided to do a snow season in Canada which changed his persective on how life could be lived. Since then he continued to travel and explore new pathways and has now become a guide in K’Gari Island and a yoga instructor. We speak about the challenges and rewards of changing your path- how you know it will bring a sense of meaning but it comes with no certainty and we talk about reframing the way uncertainty is seen. He speaks on how meeting like minded people has been validating, it’s been proof when he see’s other people living the way he wants to be; that sometimes things seem unrealistic and unmanagable but hearing from other people breaks things down into small steps and slowly it becomes possible. We also chat about his yoga practice and how journalling, meditation and yoga have been his go to for reflecting and recharging.You can follow his journey on socials here. "The process of making essential oil is to dilute and dissolve and remove any impurities so that all you are left with is what is vibrant and fragrant, and that’s what I believe life should be like”-GianniFollow the Explore Your Core podcast to keep up to date with the latest epsiodes. Until then, stay curious. -Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

I begun the new year and the first episode back with an episode on how powerful it is to be in the outdoors and wanted to talk to someone who has allowed the outdoors to change their perspective and way of life. I’m joined with thru hiker Cam Bostok who recently spent 26 days hiking the the Australian Alps Track. This wasn’t a one off for him, he’s also thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa and so many more. On the podcast we talk about his mindset, experiences and life on the trails, the power of being surounded my like minded people and the benefits hiking has had on his sense of community and mental clairty.We delve into his experience on the Aus Alps track and the PCT track and the pros and cons of being solo and doing hikes as a group.If you want to see shared moments on the trails of the journey, you can follow along on socials on Insta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambostock/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CamBostockPodcast: https://linktr.ee/lifeoutsidepodcastA lil reminder to get a little bit of outside time in.- Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On this weeks episode I spoke to Zac Hoffman- a former national mogul skier for Canada and now film maker at The Grove Films who worked alongside Gordie Rogers and Casey Dubois to produce the short film “Reflection” with Tori Wood from a previous episode here. As an athlete, Zac wanted to show some of the realness behind an athletes experience, especially as he had felt in his athletic career he had to put up a front of bravery as he thought that was expected of him. Zac’s films follow the journey of climbers, riders and athletes as they delve into and share some of their vulnerabilites and their human side. The process of filming shaped the way Zac saw vulnerability and he begun to reframe it in a healthy way for himself.In the episode he shares about a near death experience while shooting overseas for a guiding company where he fell into a crevasse. He was lucky his friends helped him make it out alive but he thought after an experience like that he would be grateful for everything he got to live for, that he would see the world in a brighter light… but it was the opposite. It was a traumtic event that he had to learn to heal through and that was a slow and hard process. I dont want to share too much of the story, I’ll leave it for you to listen in the episode but it shows a realness that sometimes it gets hard and you have to say you’re not okay. As an national mogul skier he became inspired to capture the realness behind everyones journey and the mental battle that can occur behind the scenes of the sport. It was a powerful conversation and one that needed to be spoken about. You can check out his film work with The Grove Films here, his socials here and listen to his recent TEDx talk here. Until next episode!-Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

In this episode I am joined with Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir who is an Icelandic author, speaker, sustainability leader and film maker of InnSæiI came across Hrund and her work 6 years ago after watching the documentary InnSaei. It changed the course I was on, it was the first time I had heard the words for something I had been feeling and seen the science behind something that sounded so intangible- intuition. I watched it at a time where I was beggining to understand more about consciousness, nature and what goes beyond the physical.Hrund spoke about how she came across the word InnSæi and what it means which turns out to be an Icelantic word that stands for the sea with, to see with and to see from the inside out. 'The sea within' refers to the borderless nature of our inner world and that if we put the sea within in boxes it would cease to flow. ‘To see within’ means to know yourself, and well enough to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes. And lastly ‘to see from the inside out’ which is to use your inner compass as a way to nagivate and direct you. On the podcast we spoke about what happens when we are on autopilot and when we switch that off and go back into the body we can allow the world to come to us. We delve in to attention and how valuable it is as a resource it is something that artists and creatives harness well as well as what it means to be attuned to yourself and the workd around you.A practice she mentions is to ‘pay attention to what you’re paying attention to’A recent TED talk will be available soon to watch, her book is available here and InnSæi Documentary trailer here as well as website with more information on some of the incredible work she is doing. A piece I drew that reflected ‘to see from the inside out’Thanks for reading Elise’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Until next episode,-Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

On Episode 74 of the Explore Your Core Podcast I am joined by record holder Terra Roams who was the first female to walk solo and unsupported around Australia. That wasn’t a one off out of the blue feat for her, rather it was an ode to who she is- a wanderer. A woman who has spent her journeys exploring, soaking in different cultures, surroundings and adventures that challenge herself. In a Red Bull article they described her as “one of the most interesting people we’ve ever talked to”.In this episode she speaks about her upbringing and the influence Robyn Davidson “Tracks” had on her saying at 12 she resonated with her connection to nature. She speaks about the importance of being in nature and it’s meditative and healing properties. “I found an ideal state of meditation while walking. It was as if time and distance suddenly meant nothing”. Terra doesn’t use hiking as a way to run away or escape problems but rathers sees it as a place for emotions to come up, a place for sadness and pain to come to the surface and be released. Terra Roam has just released a book called Are Ya Right, Mate?” which is available, use TEZR15 for a 15% discount. -Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

Chosing You, Episode 75 on the Explore Your Core Podcast. This epsiode was deep, raw and powerful. It is also flagged with a trigger warning. I was joined by Ashlee Thomas, who with her Mother started a podcast and charity called The Secret Burden and spoke on 60 minutes to share her experience and start the conversation to help with early prevention of eating disorders. We spoke about her journey, how social media and comparison contributed to it and how big of a healing journey that came after she decided she wanted to recover. Like myself, we discovered getting back to healthy was one part, but the real journey began when we asked ourselves why it was there in the first place. It’s confronting and hard to step into the silence and confront the big questions head on but it provides a better understanding of who you are and where we stand in this world. It’s healing.For her, stepping into the space of recovery came about when she started to see what was out there knowing ‘this’ (listening to her eating disorder) was always there for her as a back up but as she ventured out and explored her passions she realised there was no way she was going back. Ashlee has an incredible story of hope, after hitting a rock bottom that couldn’t go any further she found a reason within and chose a narrative that allowed her to seek possibilities and a life she could enjoy living again. She is making a wave in this space by starting the conversation to help early prevention of eating disorders. Her journey hasn’t been easy but one that shares incredible insight, persepctive and bravery. So here’s to starting the conversation about mental health, here’s to speaking up and to chosing you.You can find her podcast here and her socials here.Support can be found at Beyond Blue And the Butterfly FoundationKeep up to date with more episodes on the Explore Your Core Podcast by subscribing or watching out on socials here.-Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

I met up and went for a sail with James and his two daughters in ‘Salty Jocks’ while I was in Darwin after first chatting with him on the podcast a year ago (episode above). I couldn’t help but reach out to have a chat, living on a boat with two kids isn’t something you see everyday nor is going for runs with them in a wheelbarrow.On the podcast we spoke about discovering an alternative path to life and finding solutions when things aren’t working out in life. A few years ago James bought Salty Jocks, left the Marina and ‘just figured it out’. The kids were only young, (the photo shows where Isla’s booster seat was bolted on) but when I met the two girls I had never met such intelligent kids, they were years ahead for their age. Halle even used the coffee machine to make me a coffee (which you can actually buy the Salty Jocks beans here) - it’s his way of making it work on the water. We headed out across Cullen Bay to a beach, the girls collected shells, found a cave and spent their time how they love to most- exploring. It reminded me of Nim’s Island, the girls were just out in the world learning and playing, how it should be. But it hasn’t been easy. Life was hard and James made the decision to do something about it but moving onto the boat brought it’s challenges too. Even when we were chatting, it’s a full time job to be looking after and school two girls on top of learning how to maintain and fix the boat and plan for a sail. It was incredible to see how adaptive James was not only with fixing problems on the boat but with his minset towards problems. I guess it went to show how you can make it work even when you don’t have a clear plan, sometimes you just have to ‘throw caution to the wind and leave the salt for the jocks’. I think what we got from the conversation we had as we saw dolphins and the sun setting is that you just have to go out and do it. Road bumps will still happen, problems will still exist but we have one crack at life and we may as well see where it can take us. (Couldn’t leave without doing an iconic wheelbarrow run in town).Follow along his adventures here and support him by buying Salty Jocks coffee here. Check out the video from the little sailing trip here and stay up to date with more podcast episodes here. Until next time, Explore Your Core This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com

The alarms buzzes, it’s 3:40am. I gather our things together, make breakfast, fill his water and head out to the start line- to where he finished the 84km run the day before, marked by spray paint on the side of the road with his initials SB, a timestamp of where his feet have taken him. It’s another day on the road for his world record run around Australia running 14,000kms for Make a Wish. Sean’s whole focus was running, so crewing involved everything needed to make that possible- from prepping food and hydration, getting his gear ready, planning, food shopping (when there were towns…), making sure we had enough supplies and stopping with the motorhome every 7kms to give him more food, often pulling over where there was nothing appropriate but a small patch of grass (As soon as we hit the NT border the side of the roads just disappeared. I called the ‘cafe’ where bagels and coffee and the 3 rounds of breakfast were made to fuel his morning ‘45 Degree’s because well, that was the angle I usually was on… I crewed for a month from Townville to Darwin, he’s currently over halfway through.He’s out there for 13 hours a day shuffling from sunrise to sunset taking strides. It’s incredible to see a dream that he’s had for 6 years become reality each day that unfolds. One of Sean’s running friends who jumped in for a leg of the run had a chat with me to find out about my experience on the road.Inbetween the prepping and planning there were moments of stillness under the stars on the deserted roads and breathtaking moments running on the long stretch that laid ahead as the sun set over the golden grass. In this epside I let Nick be the host and we chat about the perspective I gained, how I found balance crewing and what it was like to be running through the remote stretch of outback Queensland and Northern Territory.Follow along Seans journey on socials here and support his run by donating to Make A Wish here.Keep up to date with the latest episodes by following the Explore Your Core Podcast on Spotify . -Explore Your CorePhoto cred to Angus Mckee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elisemarcianti.substack.com