The wind was howling, blowing a blizzard of icy cold flakes of snow into my face, my nose was numb and my fingers and feet felt like knives were being stuck into them. The temperature was between -10 and -20 I can’t remember. Maybe my brain froze that day too.
We ploughed on despite the weather. I wish I’d had my camera, this spot would have made for a great vlog or very cinematic B-roll sequence. I was on an expedition in the very north of Finland. That trip was to install a love for the arctic that would become a massive part of my life.
A few months had passed since I’d returned from Finland and I was half way into an epic ten month charity challenge with my family driving round the coast of the UK. The sun was setting as I looked out of the window of Mo our tiny campervan that my Dad and I had built. We were settling in for the evening just deciding what to watch that night on the tv when we come across this four part documentary, Arctic Academy. It sounded right up my my street and something I knew I’d be interested in.
I didn’t know it yet but this program was about to change my life forever. I’d always had this dream within me, something that I told everyone whenever they said “What do want to do when you grow up?” It was going to awaken that and turn it into an achievable goal.
And so we clicked play, as it started it felt unreal, what this man is doing is my dream, what I’ve wanted to do forever. But I thought that’s all it was, just a dream. I never believed it could be achieved. But now I’m watching this documentary and I suddenly realised it could.
Craig Mathieson is the founder of The Polar Academy. An inspirational charity, that changes the lives of young people. Craig and his team go into schools up in Scotland and interviews a group of students who he calls ‘Invisibles’, not the bully’s, nor the loud kids or the popular ones, he’s talking about the ones that live their lives unseen. These are the kids that struggle with their mental health or who may have low self confidence, the ones that society writes off, stamps them all the same saying they’ll never amount to anything. The Polar Academy changes that.
These young people form a team that will be trained to go on an expedition up into the extreme climate and wilderness of Greenland. They build up their fitness, learn to set up camp, use the equipment that could someday save their life, learn to navigate, trek, weather storms and cold climates and then they head out on their expedition.
Crossing the polar ice, summitting unnamed mountains, cross country skiing pulling sleds weighing 45 kilos. This no bubble wrapped school trip. The kids are the team. They do everything.
I spent the next day contacting Craig with a letter telling him just how he’d inspired me and asking him for some advice on how I can become what I want to be. He said one of the most important skills is having the determination to achieve whatever you put your mind to.
From then on we’ve been in contact, him giving me advice, and me sending him videos and posts.
We’ve had a conversation over the phone but are still yet to meet in person. That was going to happen in 2020 when I could have gone and met him and some of his team, but for obvious reasons that couldn’t go ahead. Although we don’t know when, we’re definitely going to meet up and do something together when the rules allow.
And so this is where I bring in another element of Junior Survivor, training. To become an explorer you’ve got to train mentally and physically, having the right attitude, becoming fitter, building your skills and being a team player are all essential. So a lot of my posts and videos will be me working towards my dream in whatever way that looks like and you never know it might envolve you so stay tuned and keep on the lookout.
As I write this Arctic Academy is being re-run on BBC iplayer so if you’re interested go check it out.
If you want to support or find out more about Craig and The Polar Academy click this link to their website.
Junior Survivors 
Leave a comment