Neil is passionate about showing diabetes who’s boss! Always the adventurer, he’s always about chasing the next challenge. Recently he’s combined these adventures with raising awareness and funds for diabetes! Hear about his upcoming adventure to raise funds for Insulin For Life.
My name is Neil McLagan and I live in Perth, Western Australia. I am a proud father of two, and am supported by an absolutely amazing family whom I treasure more than anything.
When I am not dedicating myself to my career as a Customs Broker, I am participating in all things active. Sports and exercise have been a huge part of my life since I was young, but in more recent years, that passion has turned to cycling, namely endurance cycling or ‘ultra.’ Despite riding for very long distances over several hours and what can be immensely challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding and has taken me to places I have never been before.
I also live with type 1 diabetes, a life threatening autoimmune condition where as a result, I am unable to produce insulin. Without multiple daily injections, would certainly perish. I am a passionate advocate for change and hoping to encourage others to live their life to its fullest potential, no matter what adversity the condition might bring. I don’t believe in letting type 1 be my reason why not, but rather making it a huge part of my why, which I felt I demonstrated riding solo and unsupported across the Australian Nullarbor last year, a 4,011-kilometer (nearly 2,500-mile) journey from Perth to Sydney in an effort to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes and raise funds for charity. You can find out more about that adventure on the Crossing for a Cause website.
On March 30th, 2019, I am embarking on a new challenge, with a new focus: #Everesting19. I will set out on my bike to climb the equivalent of the vertical height of Mt. Everest (8,848 metres or 5,497 miles), a feat that will take me over 16 hours to complete. The catch? It must be done in a single recorded ride with no sleeps on the same hill, repeating many times over until I have reached my target. This is described as one of the most brutally tough and difficult cycling challenges in the world today, but something I am confident I can accomplish.
Why this adventure? In addition to raising awareness again for what’s possible with type 1 diabetes, the insulin access crisis is something I feel has touched me deeply when reading the tragic stories of those in under developed nations who perish from lack of access to what should be a very basic human right – insulin and healthcare! I will be aiming to raise as much funds as possible for Insulin For Life, an international organisation that supports people in over 84 nations worldwide by providing diabetes supplies and complication screening to those in desperate need. I want to do everything I can to support them by sharing and promoting my cause to the wider community, and your support is greatly appreciated! To donate please click here.
Follow Neil on Facebook and learn more about his journey.
Editor’s note: Our friend, Emily Wilson, also completed an Everesting challenge in New Zealand – read Emily’s tips for preparing for backcountry adventures in her 2018 Global Postcard!
Beta Change 