Like Fisher, Wickham is an average runner, yet he is deeply aware trail running plays a critical part in his happiness. Photo / Supplied
Like Fisher, Wickham is an average runner, yet he is deeply aware trail running plays a critical part in his happiness. Photo / Supplied
Two successful executives — Simon Fisher and Simon Wickham — step outside their comfort zones
One in six New Zealand adults will be affected by mental health issues and it is the third-leading cause of health loss in this country.
Not since the Christchurch earthquakes has a cause stirred the collective conscience of so many Kiwis, nor inspired so many ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things, as the Partners Life High Five-0 Challenge for Mental Health.
Simon Fisher, the chief sales officer for Partners Life, speaks with quiet conviction about his involvement with High Five-0: "We [Partners Life] are passionate by not just sponsoring the challenge, but being actively involved and getting fully behind completing this audacious goal."
Fisher began trail running just five years ago, yet set himself the enormous task of running eight of the 50 days with dedicated fundraising runner Malcolm Law.
Law recently ran 50 off-road marathons and scaled 50 peaks in 50 days to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation NZ.
Fisher describes himself as a broken man at the finish but attributes his drive to a saying Law is fond of: "You need to do things you don't know you can - otherwise it's not a challenge."
Fisher began trail running just five years ago, yet set himself the enormous task of running eight of the 50 days with dedicated fundraising runner Malcolm Law. Photo / Supplied
Simon Wickham acknowledges a personal connection between mental wellbeing and being fit and active in the outdoors. Wickham is the chief executive of The Trusts, is on several boards and juggles a young family.
Like Fisher, Wickham is an average runner, yet he is deeply aware trail running plays a critical part in his happiness. "Trail running is the only area of my life I can actually just enjoy without being competitive. I've never been able to do that in any other sporting or business endeavour.
"It makes me a worse runner in terms of performance but much happier and [more] content."
Explaining why the challenge is important to him, he says: "I've seen first-hand how limited [Mental Health Foundation] resources are in NZ. The challenge reinforces that trail running is for many a means of maintaining a sense of wellbeing and achievement and is therefore a great tonic for the stresses of life."
The Partners Life High Five-0 Challenge is more than a fundraising effort, as Fisher explains.
"I have family and close friends ... affected by mental health and this is a way I can raise awareness so that people know there is help when they find themselves battling."
Wickham agrees.
"High Five-0 has helped me share my stories of how mental health has impacted friends and family. Arguably that is the challenge's biggest legacy; getting people talking openly about how mental wellbeing impacts their lives - that is a healthy discussion and a great outcome."
The challenge has raised more than $470,000 for the Mental Health Foundation and is just 7 per cent short of target. Eager to close that gap, Fisher and Wickham will be turning out in their red shirts again at the Marmot T42 trail marathon in Central Plateau this weekend.
Fisher is enthusiastic: "I just love running trails that NZ has to offer and running with like-minded people."
Wickham says: "Trail running arouses in me a desire to enjoy being uncomfortable and to push myself whilst surrounded by stunning landscapes - for that I am very grateful."
