Constable Nick Johnston is planning to complete a half Ironman every single day, in his own time, for the entire month of November.
He will swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and run 21.1km a day. Over 30 days, that will add up to 57km in the water, 2700km on his bike and 633km on the run.
Johnston's doing it for BetterMan, a charity on a mission to help boys and men become better versions of themselves, mentally, emotionally and physically.
The BetterMan Charitable Trust offers services to improve mental health and well-being. Johnston's aims to raise awareness and much-needed funding for the organisation.
“I enjoy the endurance aspect of triathlon,” he said.
“So, I thought, why not do one every day of November, which is Men’s Mental Health Month?
“I wanted to do something that would push me mentally and physically and hopefully get people to donate to a great cause.”
It is not his first good deed either. In 2013, Johnston adopted a dog found under the seat of a car following a police pursuit in Christchurch. He named the canine Chase after the circumstances in which she was found.
Johnston has been fostering future police dogs since.
"This is personal," Johnston said.
His brother Tim, a former first-class cricketer who played for Canterbury and the Sudbury club in the UK, has had his own struggles with mental health.
Tim completed a full Ironman in 2023 for I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday.
Said Johnston: "Like all of us, I’ve dealt with jobs that have had a lasting impact, on my colleagues, my friends and myself.
"My brother has also struggled with mental health most of his adult life."
While conversations around mental health are becoming more common, he believes there is still work to do.
"It needs to be normalised more, especially between mates. In this job, just check in with your mates."
Training for the BetterMan On A Mission is no small feat, especially while juggling work and family life.
"I have a very understanding wife who’s been doing the heavy lifting at home while I train.
"I’ve also got great family support lined up for November. I couldn’t do it without them.
"I suspect the first 10 days will be the hardest.
"Hopefully once I get through them, the body will realise this is what we’re doing every day and keep turning up for me.
"I’ll just focus on each day and not look too far ahead - that could get daunting.
"I think of what some of my mates have been through in this job, the dark places they’ve been. That makes what I’m doing feel easy.”
"It always makes the mind better."
He encourages others in the job to look after themselves too.
"To any new police officer who thinks they won’t be affected by this job - you will be humbled at some point.
"When that happens, don’t be afraid to reach out to your colleagues, your sergeant or the welfare team. They do a great job and they’re always willing to help."
A Givealittle page has been started to help Johnston raise money for the BetterMan Charitable Trust.
- To find out more, go to betterman.org.nz/betterman-on-a-mission
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000053 or referrals@aoake-te-ra.org.nz
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
