Swim Strait for Life

Not all blue skies and beaming smiles... But it’s also not all grey clouds and sad frowns. Today’s ICK makes tomorrow’s FLUFFINESS that much better + brighter.

Can’t flipping wait!!!!

Iso has made it hard for me to communicate - I’m not the best with words on a good day, so now, with social media being the #1 way to keep in contact outside of our bubbles, things and my thoughts are getting lost in the translation from tech, to personal.

When people can’t see my face, see the meaning in my eyes, I’m afraid my words are diluted or misunderstood. But I’ve never meant so much, the meaning behind my words. The physical is so much different to the virtual - to be honest, it’s the hardest lesson that’s been put in front of me.

So, for now, I’m here to listen - to anyone who needs it.. after all, we each deal with things differently - this is no different.

Tuesday really, really sucked.
Yesterday was better.
Today, will be different too.
There’s no point glossing over it, cause this is hard stuff, and it can be seriously s**t.
But we’re being forced to slow down. To appreciate things we‘ve taken for granted for so long.. and I tell you what, once I start to hug my Mum and friends post-iso, 👏🏼I’m 👏🏼not👏🏼letting👏🏼 go👏🏼

It’s been a while since I’ve been on SSFL… This year, I’ve been directing my energy into something quite different in the mental health space, a venture that I believe to be incredibly important. But, things have been put on hold for a bit - right now, we’ve got some pretty important things to do as a country, to keep each other safe.

There is beauty in slowing down during this isolation period, but there’s also the scary, darker place of the unknown. Like everyone else, I’m learning how to navigate them both.

I may not be able to pursue exactly what I had planned for the upcoming months or the upcoming couple of years, but that doesn’t mean things are unravelling - instead, it’s an opportunity to do something else, unique. I’m back here, on SSFL in a different capacity than I used to be.. I’m not here to give you tips, not to glamorise isolation, but to keep things real and keep things transparent.

So, here’s to the different, and being open to the new and the unknown. Together, we got this, fam!

ONE YEAR ON!!!!
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12th Feb 2019 was the biggest day of my life (so far in my little life). SSFL finally became legit, as I swam 32km across the Foveaux Strait with the help from the most amazing support team. I didn’t do it per official guidelines, but that was besides the point.
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There are times when we have to do things differently, colour outside the lines if we want to make a masterpiece. The Strait swim was my way of redefining and re-sketching how we can approach mental health and well-being matters here in Southland, Otago and New Zealand.
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Since then, SSFL has been swimming through different types of waves - some have carried me to where I wanna go, some I’ve had to accept that I can’t fight them, and instead, I need to flow with them and approach it differently.
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This past year has been wicked. I’ve met some extraordinary people, connected with groups and communities who are constantly working to better the well-being of their members and just generally found a passion for people, and everything a person stands for.
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So, I wanna say a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s been supportive and encouraging throughout this past year - without you I wouldn’t have anywhere near as much reach as I have had.
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One year later, I’m working on a pretty significant project in partnership with some amazing people. I’m gunna continue to colour outside the lines and do things my way - this swim will always remind me of how much we can do with a lil bit hope, passion and support.
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Keep watching this space y’all!! Hannah xx @ Dunedin, New Zealand

I can’t believe how amazing 2020 has already been for SSFL - it’s going to be an absolute hisser of a year!!
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I can’t wait to get back out into our communities and do my thing!! (While also working a bit more behind the scenes on something really really awesome for our Southland and Otago communities hehe).
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Flick a gal a message if you have any questions or just want to touch base - I’m already being booked for talks and workshops for later on in the year, so scoochy on into my inbox if you wanna be in my calendar too!!!!!
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Big smiles, big dreams + big passions for making NZ a happier and healthier place for all of us ❤️

Feeling very honoured to be a recipient of a 2020 New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award (Dunedin).
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I’m incredibly humbled to have been considered for this award, but even more so be among such outstanding company of the other recipients.
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Shout out to (and + ) for collecting the medal on my behalf while I was overseas.
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Things are happening, and they’re making a huge difference in our communities... let’s keep things rolling and make some even greater waves!!!!!
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Wooooooh @ Dunedin, New Zealand

Ya girl is back! After a seriously needed break at the end of last year, I’m back in NZ and thrusting myself entirely into 2020. While I was away I had a lot of time to self-reflect and I began to realise just how intense these past two years have been on me. 2019 came with huge peaks and some rather sizeable troughs, but all in all it gave me a sense of hope that surpassed any other feeling. People have begun to notice how important it is to break down barriers surrounding MH and well-being, leaders in our communities have opened their doors to listen to our calls for change, schools actually INVITED me into their classrooms to talk about topics that have always been hushed and pushed under the rug…
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This year will be no different - we’re going to keep progressing forward, looking after ourselves and the people around us with greater knowledge about MH and well-being. BUT, for me, this is going to look a bit different. I’m excited to work alongside so many passionate folk to bring something slightly different to our communities here in Southland and Otago!!!!
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2019 was FAB, and 2020 is going to be even better. Watch this space yo!!!
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H x

I'm feeling very humbled to be named among countless outstanding and selfless individuals as a recipient of a 2020 Kiwibank Local Hero Medal.

More-so, because I get to stand beside my friend James Heath who has exemplified true selflessness and dedication to his community at Otago Uni.

Such cool stuff - and thanks to everyone who has supported this young gal from Invercargill try and bring a bit of sunshine to those darker days!!!! Wouldn't be here without you all 🧡

Naturally can’t take much seriously...

I’m privileged to have received the OUSA - Otago University Students' Association + University of Otago Outstanding Contribution to the University Community Award and the Sporting Blue Award for swimming last week at the Blues and Golds celebration.

It was made even that much sweeter seeing my gal boss friends Annie Grimes and Lucy Aitken receive the Outstanding Contribution to the Dunedin Community award for their work with Woman’s Refuge Dunedin!!!

It’s been a hecker if a year, but believe it or not there’s more things coming!!

Again, I’m blessed for the endless support behind SSFL and behind me personally - it’s pretty cool y’all!!!