Andrew Byron

If we only save 1 life it’s worth it! 🧡🖤

Smack bang in the Covid 19 pandemic this great cause of “One Foot Forward 🦶🏼” was born. It was a tough time to be a human but what mattered most wasn’t our possessions, travel pics or worldly experiences, but more about our connections and how much we missed that check in/contact or general being around other humans and whether we knew we needed it or not it taught us to just reach out and see if our loved ones, friends or colleagues were ok. It taught us to be resilient and no matter how bad that time felt the whole world stopped, the air got cleaner, the rivers and oceans got cleaner, and our skies were of the bluest blue we had ever seen. No cars, no buses, no trains, and no planes. The world did not end us, but it taught us a lesson that makes this month of sacrifice so important. A simple check in and provide each other feedback, be it virtual or lucky enough to be in person helps. Last week and this week I have the pleasure of using my work skills and experience to provide training and an intentional culture provided by my workplace to help struggling businesses to help with their business performance. It all comes back to us as humans and what we do to make sure everyone is heard and that we are available to provide feedback to each other. The worse it seems then the more we need to increase the cadence of those check ins! Once we see our culture improving then naturally it affects our business performance in a positive way (FACT). The more positive the workplace, the less check ins or feedback cadence needed but it does not stop completely. I have learnt some hard lessons in life and often it is through mistakes, inexperience, and lack of mentorship, but through all the underlying reflection is that it all could have been avoided if there was communication. If I knew back then, what I know now then I may have made a difference! Or not, but here is my WHY! Losing my best friend at 15 was my biggest heartbreak in my long and fruitful life. It is still not real and definitely not clear what any of us could have done to prevent the heartbreak to the friends, family, and colleagues at school that year! But if we had the education, awareness and the training and support we have today from organisations like the Black Dog Institute then just maybe, we could have saved that one life. Suicide is not an option, but to understand so many people’s stories it is not easily preventable unless it is identified as part of a mental illness that our society are more educated and aware of today more than yesterday. We can help with awareness, by raising funds for organisations to educate and be present in schools, businesses and to everyday Australians but we can also just check in with each other and genuinely see if someone you care about is truly ok. Are you okay day is everyday. It has no date and it has no expiration. Communicate, check in, give and receive feedback but don’t leave anyone alone because they seem happy or on top of things. If you truly know me I am not looking for any kudos or to be the best fundraiser. It’s just my opportunity to make a difference and by taking one foot forward, every year in Mental Health Month of October my only hope is it makes one person’s life easier. It is sad that a lot of us that share support this month are connected by our loss, whether it is a mutual loss or a trigger of your own personal experience. I want to say that I am always available to anyone at anytime and it’s okay to feel not okay and if I reach out to you somewhat “out of the blue” or unexpectedly then you realise my purpose. It’s a really hard time for everyone with the pressures of the costs of living in Australia and the world and I don’t expect anyone to support this fundraiser but if you can spare just $1 then a lot of $1 dollars will change lives! If you spend $5 or more, you can offset your taxes for FY27 and help with your tax return at the end of the financial year. Thanks for reading and please communicate, check in, and offer two-way feedback with someone you know, be it a loved one, a friend or family member you haven’t seen for a while and definitely check in on your work colleagues! Do this and it could save a life! Love Andrew 🧡🖤🫶🏼 Share

Let’s go 1️⃣🦶🏼⏩ 🧡🖤

Ok, here is the plan! My initial goal is 200km for October but if I reach my fundraising goal I’ll do 300km. Share