RISE UP: Run Across Utah
Starting September 12, 2024…
Endurance athlete Lisa Smith-Batchen and Coach Blu Robinson are attempting to become the first person to cover a route of nearly 450 miles on foot, in 10 days or less, from point to point in Utah. Evanston, Wyoming (North Point) to St. George, Utah (South Point) in order to raise awareness and funding for Mental Health and Addiction recovery.
The organization that I will be raising funds for is nonprofit Addict To Athlete. This organization is absolutely incredible with what they are doing and supplying to help support anyone who starts taking the steps towards recovery. You may wonder how I know this. It’s from first hand experience!
“You may be wondering what would drive me to embark on such a journey. Every one of us is touched and affected in some way, either personally or by loved ones who have or currently are suffering from mental health or substance use disorders. My family has personally been touched by both.
I feel called to take action by using the gift given to me. By moving on my feet across many miles I hope to raise awareness of the issues and funds to tackle some of the problems, motivating and inspiring others to rise up and take action.
We all have a story! I am standing in the gap with my voice and my feet, calling for all of us to unite as an unstoppable force. We must end the disparities in mental health and addiction treatment.
Outlined below is my vision of this project, and description of the journey.
I am calling this mission RISE UP!
Take a moment to consider the significance of the parallel of those facing the battle of mental illness and addiction, and the journey they must face in order to heal.
The Parable: When someone is at rock bottom the darkness of depression, deep despair, and loss of all hope they need help taking the steps to move forward and heal in order to reach the highest point in healing and recovery. Taking the first step forward toward recovery is often the most difficult one. With great hope, faith, and love while taking one step forward at a time each one struggling can move towards a beautiful life!! It is imperative that we HELP OTHERS take these steps. Will you help me help others?
Just as an individual in recovery must take a step forward in faith, and then gain the skills and coping strategies to maintain balance in life, I am taking a step forward in faith and using all of the skills and wisdom I have learned in order to reach the finish line in St. George.
When individuals find themselves at rock bottom, they need the support of treatment facilities, pro-recovery communities, and effective mental health treatment in order to succeed. Will you be part of the solution? When a seed is put into the ground, it has the potential to multiply. One single corn seed has the potential to produce thousands of seeds and multiply into a corn field. When you seed into one individual and they heal, they have the potential to reach more and to multiply the impact by passing the hope forward bringing others into healing.
My journey represents the low point that many in recovery start at signifying the journey one must take to go higher, through faith, hard work, commitment, and dedication. With the support of a team, I will reach the high point, which represents the potential each human has to manifest a great destiny when they are healed and whole. The journey from Northern to Southern Utah represents the balance one must have in life in order to maintain recovery and healing.
My mantra for this journey is:
Lowest to Love.
Highest with Hope.
Each step forward with great Faith.
RISE UP!”
