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A dying head torch, a cold wind on Ingleborough, and a 19-year-old who refuses to quit—Bailey Backhouse joins us to share how he tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks three times in 36 hours to raise funds for Andy’s Man Club. He’s an electrical apprentice by day, a boxer by training, and a mountain mover when purpose calls. What started as a bold idea over a family celebration became a community-backed fundraiser with real impact, powered by grit, family support, and a clear mission to push back against silence around men’s mental health.

We dive into how boxing gave Bailey structure, respect, and a way to channel anger into discipline. He opens up about social anxiety, the shock of big crowds post-COVID, and the period when drinking became a false fix that left him feeling worse. The turnaround came with movement: miles in the hills, time on the bags, better food, and sleep he guards on purpose. We talk through the pillars of wellbeing—nutrition, exercise, community, self-care, and quality sleep—and how stacking small choices changes your day and reshapes your mind.

Then Bailey drops the next challenge: 12 Marathons of Christmas in support of Candlelighters, a children’s cancer charity. He plans to work full-time and run a marathon each day for 12 straight days, leaning on mindset, recovery, and the same stubborn determination that carried him through the Dales in the dark. If you care about mental health, endurance, and the kind of community that shows up when it matters, this conversation will light a fire.

Follow along, share this story with a friend who could use a lift, and if it resonates, leave a quick review and hit subscribe. Your support helps more people find the show—and might just spark someone’s next brave step.

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GoFundMe - 12 Marathons of Christmas

Just Giving - Bailey's fundraiser for ANDYS MAN CLUB

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What happens to your mind when the ground wobbles and the stakes feel high? We explore the frontier of adventure neuroscience with resident psychologist and mountain leader Dave Gallagher—measuring fear at 45 feet, restoring calm with targeted breath work, and turning freeze into forward motion with micro-steps and clear cues. This is a story about how nature, science, and careful coaching can rewire stress responses and build real-world resilience.

We unpack a 10-week program with The Wallich that takes underserved communities from indoor climbs to big mountain days, tracking mood and behaviour changes along the way. Dave shares new research that combines heart rate variability, executive function tests, and a “Leap of Faith” high-ropes challenge to see how decision-making shifts under pressure—and how a simple prolonged-exhale protocol can bring the prefrontal cortex back online. You’ll hear why small wins matter, how trust is built on exposed ground, and what extreme sports communities can teach us about progression, judgment, and self-preservation.

We also introduce Mind4Adventure, a trauma-informed, neuroscience-led approach that bridges talk therapy with guided outdoor challenges, leveraging the three-day effect and attention restoration to create durable change. From the science of the periaqueductal gray and freeze states to practical field tactics—like widening peripheral vision, assigning micro-tasks, and using cognitive drills at height—this episode offers tools you can use the next time stress narrows your world.

If this conversation sparked something—share it with a friend, subscribe for more mind-meets-mountain episodes, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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The Wallich

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Imagine carrying a traumatic secret from age four until adulthood, then finding the strength not only to seek justice but to transform your experience into advocacy for others. This is Kaylee Thompson's remarkable story.

Thirty years after experiencing sexual assault as a toddler, Kaylee made the life-changing decision to report her abuser to police. Despite the challenges of a historic case with limited physical evidence, she persevered through an 18-month investigation that culminated in a successful conviction. Most powerfully, she chose to waive her legal anonymity, declaring: "I don't need my name hiding because that happened to me, and it's him that should feel ashamed."

Kaylee's journey illuminates the complex reality of childhood trauma - from teenage drinking to escape painful memories, to the triggers of seeing her own young children at the same age she was abused. Yet her story isn't defined by victimhood but by resilience and action. Today, she works with West Yorkshire Survivor Leaders, helping steer a £250,000 program that empowers other survivors to become agents of change. Their initiatives include a skills academy that equips women to advocate for systemic improvements in how institutions respond to sexual violence.

Through her advocacy, Kaylee challenges damaging terminology like "vulnerable victims" and champions a perspective where survivors lead conversations about reform. She's now developing a podcast platform where others can share their stories, building a community of strength and hope. Her message resonates with clarity: regardless of when abuse occurred, your voice deserves to be heard, and healing isn't just possible - it can become a catalyst for helping others find their own path to justice and recovery.

Have you experienced sexual violence and want to connect with advocacy resources? Reach out through info@whitefoxtalking.com, and we'll connect you with Kaylee's network of survivor support.

West Yorkshire Survivor Leaders

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