Ben Ellington

Choosing Discomfort, Finding Purpose

I'd given up on just about everything and everyone that was important in my life and felt like I had nothing left to live for. It forced me to take an honest look at myself and realise I'd spent too long letting fear, anxiety and self-doubt control my life. I blamed circumstances, other people and life itself instead of taking ownership of the only thing I could control: me.

Running was something I'd turned to years ago whenever I needed to start believing in myself again. Like most people, I hated it at first, but every run reminded me of something I'd forgotten: when my body is screaming at me to stop, giving up is still a choice. Every time that voice told me to quit, I'd tell myself, "No. This is the new standard now. We keep going."

This time I knew it couldn't just be another phase. I needed something that would stop me from ever giving up on life, or the people around me, again. Running reminded me that I am worthy, that I don't need alcohol to escape, I don't need to hide from my problems, and I don't need to let fear control my life. I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Since then I've quit drinking, quit vaping, committed to training and made looking after myself a non-negotiable. I'm not trying to become perfect. I'm trying to become someone I genuinely love, respect and can be proud of.

That's why Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge means so much to me.

The whole idea is to choose discomfort. To willingly do something hard, not because you have to, but because so many Australians don't get to choose the hardships they face every day. It's about stepping outside your comfort zone to raise money for people experiencing homelessness, while proving to yourself you're capable of more than you think.

For me, that means running from Cronulla to Redfern every day for 10 days straight.

I know it's going to hurt. There'll be setbacks, sacrifices and days where I question why I signed up. But compared to not knowing where you're going to sleep, or whether you'll have a safe place to call home, my discomfort is temporary and it's a choice.

Every kilometre is another chance to prove to myself that I keep my word, don't run away when life gets hard, and continue becoming the man I want to be. But more importantly, every kilometre is helping raise money for We Are Mobilise so more Australians experiencing homelessness can get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

If putting myself through 10 days of discomfort can help someone else get another chance to get back on their feet, then all the soreness, every sacrifice and every tough day is worth it.

If you're able to donate, I'd be incredibly grateful. Every dollar helps We Are Mobilise support Australians experiencing homelessness, and gives every step of this challenge a purpose far bigger than myself.