Seven years ago, I wrote about my friend Courtney Chapman as she prepared to take on one of the most grueling endurance challenges in riding: the Shahzada 400, held in St Albans in the Hawkesbury region.

At the time, doctors had told Courtney she shouldn’t compete due to her autoimmune condition, Crohn’s disease. But she did it anyway.

Now, seven years later, Courtney joins me to reflect on that experience, and to explore how trauma can lead us to take on extraordinary feats of endurance.

Courtney is now a mental health advocate and educator who understands the importance of feeling safe, seen, and supported. Through her work with Mental Illness Education ACT, she shares her lived experience to break stigma and spark honest conversations. In her role within the Australian Public Service, she helps build trauma-aware environments where people can thrive, blending personal resilience with a deep commitment to community connection and hope-led change.

If you enjoyed this episode (or any others), please consider leaving a review, and if you’re able to support the show, you can do so for just $2 a month via the Peak2Soon Patreon:

👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/ThePeak2SoonPodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone — support is always available:

📞 Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra - 1800 595 212
📞 Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
📞 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 or https:www.beyondblue.org.au

Jordan Nukunuku suffered a heart break which kicked off his running journey, and it's been a journey of incredible ups and downs.

The young Kiwi from Rotorua recently won The Guzzler Ultra, after the first placed finisher was handed a time penalty, but it's a win at Brisbane Trail Ultra 110 kilometre race in 2023, after suffering an ACL injury in the months prior that shows how tough Jordan truly is.

A self described 'amateur dirt vert surfer' Jordan flashed onto the major scene with an impressive run at Tarawera 100 miler this year, only fuelling the fire in wanting to win his home major.

Jordan also took part in for what is now considered the last Down Under 135, an incredible endurance event that attracts the toughest long distance runners in Australia.

It's already a serious resume for the Spring Energy and Trainade Athlete, and I guarantee this won't be the last you hear of him.

[This podcast was originally published on The R4R Podcast | Road To Zero, a big thank you to Lonsdale Street Studio for having us, as such the intro will be a little different to what you're used to.]

Earlier this year Kim Elms and I connected again to talk about a solidarity run after a woman was assaulted on the trails at Tuggeranong Hill. It sparked a friendship that saw us front the media, highlighting a number of issues relating to running in Canberra.

Since recording this episode, lighting around Lake Burley Griffin is now being reviewed, and Kim has hit over 50 suburbs in Canberra so far.

In this episode we cover a range of topics some of which can be quite confronting, I want to thank Kim for being so open during the conversation, and for trusting me to help share her story.

I would also like to thank everyone for supporting the podcast, it wouldn't be where it is without you.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone — support is always available:

📞 Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra - 1800 595 212
📞 Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
📞 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 or https:www.beyondblue.org.au

🔗 Connect with R4R
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