Adventurer of the Month – Karen Mazur

To be part of an active movement to stop violence against women. Having witnessed it in my childhood home I know all too well the physical and emotional impacts it has on family and community. Whilst silence and isolation enables it to flourish, it’s ignorance that paves the way for its persistence. In 2015, a few months before my mother passed away, peacefully in her sleep, she asked me “Karen, please tell my story”. It was the first time she had asked me to do so. I said yes, but had no idea how I would ever be able to share it without a box of tissues permanently plastered to my face.

I feel nervous and excited at the same time. I’ve never done a 5-day trek nor have I been to the Larapinta. I did, however, spend a few days in Uluru about 6 years ago and the connection to the land I felt then, seems to be calling me back. I look forward to meeting others with the same purpose and sharing our experience. I am a designer and lately have been spending long hours creating on my own, so walking as part of a group is a welcome change from my daily routine.

The best support comes from the people one least expects. My anonymous donors were the most generous.

Long hours of training was my biggest challenge, it’s very boring and not very child or family friendly. So I have learned variety is the key and incorporating it with family activities means I am around doing the parenting stuff too. I walk the dog more often. I exercise on my elliptical machine at home and listen to Netflix, Audible books, and podcasts, in addition to my go-go playlist where I bounce to Beyonce and giggle with GAGA. On the weekends I go for long walks on the Spit to Manly trail and seek out those less traveled pathways.

Yes, two hours of exercises feels like 20 minutes, and I have to work a lot harder to get puffed out. I feel stronger and noticed that exercise lifts the mood. My body actually craves it now. By actively supporting White ribbon I’ve connected with people who genuinely want to make our communities safer without bias or prejudice. I call these people my tribe.

Become our Adventurer of the Month to win a $100 Paddy Pallin voucher

Take a picture whilst on your adventure or when you’re training and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired and your adventure hashtag. The most exciting use of the hashtag, with an adventure, and fitness focus will be our Adventurer of the Month – it’s that easy!