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Who am I?  The answer to this question will depend on who you ask.  I have been described as the crazy old man, the generous softy, the dedicated sports nut and the family man who is always planning the next big event.

The basics are simple:  I’m in my 60’s, father to 4 girls, a ‘Pa Pa” to 2 grandchildren and married to a superwoman.  I lived in Sydney for a quarter of my life but grew up in Queensland.  2019, the year of change and my Wife and I moved to the NSW Far North Coast to retire.  I enjoy all types of exercise but my running career (if you can call it that) has been cut short due to one of many mountain bike accidents.

Up until my retirement in the middle of 2018 I worked as an analyst (thoroughly enjoy my Excel spread sheets) to fill in the space between my exercise.  Along with many Marathons, ½ Marathons, Ultra Marathons, the 6-foot track, Ironman Triathlons, Mountain Bike (MTB) races and Swims (ocean, pool and ultra-distance) I have become what can only be described as the “old man adventurer”.

In 2015 I completed what my family call “My Great Outback Adventure” I rode solo on my mountain bike with a single wheel trailer from Darwin to Broome over 21 days.  It was definitely the biggest personal challenge yet.  My fantastic quirky pal, Wags named my bike ‘The Northern Express’ which is a great name and it has stuck.

With the new found love of adventure, in December of 2016 I completed a 200km Trek in Nepal – the Annapurna Circuit from Besisahar to Pokhara.  In July 2018 I ran the ½ marathon in Uluru and then in November 2018 I trekked to Mount Everest Basecamp in Nepal.

I continue to sign up and plan for my next adventure.  I love sharing these journeys with you all.  You can see what next crazy adventure I have planned in ‘Future Adventure’s’ and following my blog.

I am also an author and art enthusiast.  I have two published children’s works, both of which are available on Amazon, a book (my biography) and a couple of published poems.  I do a lot of drawings, illustrations for my books, and art therapy – simple stuff really.

I also live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  It does not define who I am as a person.  PTSD is PTSD and I am ME, it is part of my journey.  My story is told in my biography NO DEFENCE, written by Lauren Wilkinson-Barnes, and is available for sale on my website.  Raising awareness and being able to help others by sharing my journey is what motivates me to write this blog.

I like to think of myself as a story teller, and Me and PTSD look forward to sharing our journey with you.