I can’t do this without help
I’ve heard that practice makes perfect when it comes to skiing, so naturally, I decided to skip all those easy runs and go straight to hauling myself across a frozen Arctic coastline. If you find the thought of a guy who grew up in subtropical Queensland who’s never strapped on skis before blundering through polar bear territory entertaining (or borderline insane), then you’re in the right place.
But in all seriousness, every follow, share, or donation helps me keep moving forward. By following me on Instagram (@mja.explore), you’ll witness every stumble and occasional moment of actual competence on skis. It might not always be graceful, but I promise it’ll be honest.
Your support - be it a kind word, a direct donation to a partner organisation, a repost, or a few dollars toward the cause - makes it a little less intimidating to step out onto sea ice armed with little more than a tent, a sled, and a husky. If you’re able, a direct donation will go toward both the logistics of this slightly ridiculous idea of mine, and a direct donation to a partner organisation will help with the vital work of organisations dedicated to mental health, who are out there every day helping men who feel like they’re up against impossible odds.
Tune in for the chaos, laugh at my expense when I faceplant on the ice, and let’s share a conversation that might help someone else feel a little less alone.
Sponsors
I’m looking for supporters who see value in both the cause and the adventure. While I’m still building my audience, I’ll be documenting every step of the journey (both the highs and inevitable lows) so that others can experience this expedition in real-time. I’ll be turning that footage into a mini-documentary, and with the help of a media partner, I hope to share it with a much larger audience than I can reach on my own. I want this expedition to inspire others that there is a way through it, and I’m living proof of that.
I’d love to give back to anyone who’s willing to believe in this expedition. Your company can be part of the story through things like prominent logo placement on my gear, mentions and stories on social media, or features in my blog. I’m a long way from being an influencer, but I’m learning fast and have a content plan in place to grow my reach before I step onto the Arctic ice.
You’ll also have access to a collection of professional photos and video clips captured in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. It’s not staged content; it’s real and raw, shot during some of the toughest moments I’ll face out there. I’m happy to share these assets for you to use in your own marketing, or even in staff newsletters to bring everyone along on this journey.
Beyond that, I’m more than willing to share my experiences in person or virtually. This includes speaking to teams about resilience, or discussing the stark reality of mental health battles and how it ties into navigating harsh environments. My hope is that by keeping these conversations open and honest, I can help shift the way we talk about mental health, especially for men who often feel that pressure to handle everything alone.
If your organisation values social responsibility, this partnership directly supports an effort to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health. My biggest wish is that someone struggling feels less alone when they see what we’re doing together.
If you want to be part of this venture, I’d be honoured to have you on board. Whether it’s direct support of partner organisations, gear support, financial sponsorship, or helping spread the word through your networks, every piece of help makes it that much more possible for me to complete this world-first route and show others that there’s always hope - even in the coldest, darkest, and loneliest of places.