Welcome to a special Milestone Monday.
Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Michelle, a remarkable member of the Tough Mudder community. Her dedication to the cause goes beyond personal achievement; she actively lends a helping hand to anyone who crosses her path on the course. Michelle’s boundless drive and unwavering passion are a source of inspiration for us all.
But that’s not all – Michelle’s extraordinary efforts extend even further. She has gone above and beyond to assist two wheelchair users in conquering the Tough Mudder challenge.
In this blog, we’ll delve into her inspiring journey and the incredible impact she’s had on those around her. Michelle is a shining example of the spirit and camaraderie that define the Tough Mudder community.
Why do you Mudder?
I signed up for my first Tough Mudder in 2018 after getting a diagnosis of Breast Cancer. I needed something to keep me focused and fighting so I decided to push myself and try and raise some money for charity at the same time.
Tell us about a time when you helped another Mudder
A good friend and fellow Ambassador Chris Torrance asked me back in 2021 if I’d like to join him and a few others to assist Benjamin Jesson in completing his 3rd TM from his wheelchair. Inspired by Ben’s determination, I quickly found myself travelling down to London to join the team to do so. The following year we returned to do the same and we had the honour of being joined by Tough Mudders MD and CEO who got stuck in helping pull the chair and assisting Ben in completing obstacles.
This year we even got the chance to take the specialist wheelchair that Tough Mudder have worked with GM4X to commission, for a test drive.
I then meet Bea Wood through some volunteer work I do with my local police force and she told me she was about to try and take on Tough Mudder from her wheelchair with a charity who support her called Tic.
After showing her pictures of some of Ben’s events she told me how much she dreamed of being able to complete it to that extent……. So I reached out to friends within the Tough Mudder Community (which is without doubt the best on the planet) and quickly we were able to put a Support Team together to help her do exactly that – even managing to get her safely over Mudderhorn.
Challenges?
Tough Mudder courses aren’t exactly designed to be Accessibility Friendly so simply getting a chair around the course takes a lot of grit, teamwork and communication. But helping individuals who have little to no use of their legs takes even more communication, plenty of ropes and lots and lots of trust from them.
Ben, Bea and Susan all have very different conditions and therefore different needs so the amount of support they need varies but the thing that will never cease to amaze me from them all is how much trust it takes from them to allow us to do some of the things needed to help them complete obstacles and I’m always honored that they place that trust in us as a team.
How do you feel once you complete a Tough Mudder course?
No matter how many times I cross that finish line with friends I always feel a sense of achievement……and ridiculously hungry haha.
Finishing as part of a Support Team though always fills me with so much pride in those we’ve assisted and very inspired.
More than anything though I feel like I’m in a place I can call home and surrounded by friends.
Are you returning?
Good luck trying to stop me. I’ll be back for many more yes. The thing that keeps me coming back is quite simply the people. The Tough Mudder Community is filled with some of the best, most supportive and inspiring people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
They’ve helped me through so much and kept me sane…. Well ok…. Sane(ish). They made facing and fighting two cancer diagnosis’ achievable and when so many other people told me I couldn’t they helped me prove to them and to myself that I can.
I have been able to achieve more than I ever could have imagined with these people by my side. The bonds forged in mud are ones you have to experience to believe and I’ve found so much more than friends….. I’ve found my Mud Family and I can’t wait to go play in the mud with them again next season.
TELL US YOUR STORY
A heroic challenge to fulfill a fitness goal or raising £££ in memory of a loved one?
Do you have an inspiring story that you’d be happy to share with our larger audience?
