It’s easy in today’s world of social media to get caught up in negative content and doom scrolling. It can be almost addictive. But what would happen if we replaced these videos on our Instagram feeds with those of people doing something inspiring? Normal people, with normal jobs and normal lives, who have given it up to do something exciting and unconventional. Take Russ Cook, for example, you may have heard of him as The Hardest Geezer: the first man to run the entire length of Africa. He started off as a normal, working-class man from Worthing, who struggled with mental health, gambling and drinking. Until he ran his first half marathon at 21. After that, he has been dedicated to taking on challenges to raise money for a number of charities. His challenges have included: running from Asia to London in 66 days (and 71 marathons), pulling a Suzuki Alto 26 miles (and being the fastest to do it in 9 hours and 56 minutes) and being buried alive for seven days. His biggest challenge of running the entire length of Africa raised over one million pounds for charity and made him an internet sensation. His subsequent fame may have been a trailblazer for normal people taking on the unconventional. Here are some people doing the impossible to fill your feed with inspiring stories:
Luke Deakin is a freelance festival photographer who is walking from the UK to Vietnam. He’s taking on this adventure because he wants to challenge himself and see the world at the same time.
He’s currently in Turkey on day 252 of the journey. He’s yet to reach the Middle East, where things are bound to get more interesting.
So far, he has documented the kindness of strangers on his walk, the wonders of nature, and the journey of highs and lows that comes with travelling solo.
Luke initially predicted that he would reach India from the UK within five months, but he is now eight months in and is almost through Turkey. There’s a long way to go, so follow his Instagram to keep up with his inspiring journey!
2. @hajjsail
Five men, ages ranging between 27 to 49 are going to be the first to sail from London to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage. The journey has been underway for 53 days, but there’s a couple of minor challenges: they had to learn to sail before embarking on their voyage, and none of them can swim.
The individuals taking on this challenge have been inspired by ancestors who used vessels to attain their Hajj. The crew will be the first to do this from London, all the while raising money for orphans in Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria and Uganda.
They’re aiming to reach Mecca by Hajj, which is expected to fall between the evening of the fourth of June and the ninth of June. Dates are yet to be confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting committee. They’re documenting their journey on Instagram, so follow along to see if the crew make it!
If you’re enjoying reading about positivity online- try this guide to keeping constructive on the internet.
The Maclean brothers: Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan are dedicated to providing clean water to as many people globally as possible. Back in 2020, the brothers completed a three thousand mile row across the Atlantic. Starting in La Gomera in the Canary Islands, they rowed non-stop to Antigua in the Caribbean. The row took them 35 days and they raised over £200,000 for charity. They broke three world records in the process: the first three brothers to row any ocean, and the fastest and youngest trio to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The eldest brother, Ewan, formerly had a career in Dyson which he gave up to become, as he describes a ‘full time brother’. this may involve supporting the youngest brother Lachlan in managing The Maclean Foundation, a charity the brothers set up in 2023 after the success of their first row. The charity aims to spread awareness and raise money to develop sustainable clean water sources, particularly in Madagascar.
The brothers have recently set off on their latest challenge: to cross the Pacific Ocean and raise £1 million for The Maclean Foundation, a sum large enough to bring structural change to an entire region of Madagascar.
Their most recent venture is 9000 nautical miles, of which they have completed 2700 miles unsupported and have raised approximately £84,000 for charity. The brothers are aiming to break multiple world records, including being the fastest in the world to complete this voyage by these means. To donate and keep up to date with their journey, follow their Instagram. Will they achieve the impossible?
