Record-breaking swimmer encourages men to talk

A record-breaking swimmer who was diagnosed with a degenerative disease in 2022 says telling his story to strangers gives him "as much joy as any physical exertion".

Mark O'Brien, from Bedfordshire, has set three world swimming records while raising money for people with motor neurone disease (MND).

He was the guest speaker on Saturday at a men's mental health walk around Ivinghoe Beacon.

One of the walkers said Mr O'Brien's talk "brought it home" to him that men should speak more about their problems.

As anyone who has walked near the Whipsnade White Lion will tell you, the hills around Ivinghoe Beacon are not easy for anyone to climb.

Physical challenges are nothing new for Mr O'Brien, who achieved two of his world records on the same day last year - one in Luton and one in Dublin.

But, with the disease taking more of a hold on his mobility, he has now "transferred that focus and passion into the mental side, the mental wellbeing".

He said: "Speaking about my journey, being open with people and letting people into a part of my life that are strangers, gives me as much joy as any kind of physical exertion."

The walk, attended by about 20 men, is the latest in a series organised by Michael Cox, a personal trainer.

"My circle of clients and family have been affected through struggles through mental health - a couple of people have took their lives," Mr Cox said.

"I just felt a need to try and do something for it.

"There's nothing to distract you out here. So you're open to talk, there's no interference from anywhere, so it's a lot easier to communicate."

Michael's dad, Paul, has suffered with mental health problems for 40 years, but has found that his son's walks "clear the cobwebs away".

"Listening to that bloke (Mark O'Brien) speaking there just brings it home.

"Men should speak."

He said he had come to realise that his poor mental health was having an impact on his family.

"When I was at my lowest, my children and my wife were there, you don't realise what you're putting them through until you've cleared your head again.

"I'm learning to cope a bit better."

Among the group of heavily waterproofed men chatting freely as they walked through one of the most popular viewpoints in the area was Sebastian Cummings.

"I'm a full-time single dad," he said. "[I] raised my son since he was four. I've got my own business with my father.

"It's just life struggles, really. It's good to kind of get out and speak to people and hear what other people are going through because sometimes it actually makes you feel not alone."

"That guy there," he added, pointing to Mr O'Brien, "smashing Guinness records, that's inspirational.

"Someone can go through that problem and issues in their own head and life and have all that support around him. So actually go out and smash it. It makes you feel like you can do it."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.

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