If you weren’t lucky enough to catch Alex Staniforth’s Head Above Water on its sell out tour last month, Ellis Brigham has released the film on its You Tube channel.
Navigating ill mental health, epilepsy, and bullying since school, along with surviving two major disasters on Mount Everest, Alex Staniforth is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
An adventurer, author, and founder of mental health charity Mind Over Mountains, he is the fastest ever to climb all 100 UK county tops by human power. In 2020, Alex ran the National Three Peaks Challenge, covering 452 miles in 9 days and 12 hours.
2022 saw Alex face a different kind of challenge, Long Covid. While unable to pursue his goals as an athlete, he discovered the healing power of open water swimming in the Lake District. This formed an ambitious attempt at a comeback challenge, the Frog Graham Round. The UK’s ultimate swim-run challenge, competitors run roughly 40 miles, ascend over 15,000 ft, and swim two miles across four lakes.
Head Above Water explores Alex Staniforth’s journey of identity and discovery while completing the Frog Graham.
Says Mark Brigham of Ellis Brigham, ‘We’ve supported Alex for ten years as he continues to overcome adversity and challenge stereotypes. He’s only thirty yet has accomplished things most people take a lifetime to achieve. His honesty really makes this film more than just another endurance documentary.’
