Despite her obvious passion for adventure, staying active hasn’t always been easy for Dee Crute, a journalist and accessibility advocate living with AuDHD. And yet, Dee believes that kickstarting your journey to wellness in the outdoors with Breast Cancer UK’s 30-Day Challenge could be enough to change your entire view of the world.
In order to stay fit and reduce your risk of breast cancer, the NHS and World Health Organisation suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. But for those who find this number daunting, Dee’s story is a valuable reminder that once you’ve stepped outdoors, you’re already on the road to wellness.
It’s clear that nature is important to Dee from the moment she starts her story because she is standing in the sunshine, beaming from ear to ear. That’s undoubtedly what led her to found Introvert Magazine, a publication with the not-so-modest mission of making the the world of wellness in the outdoors accessible and inclusive to all. With such a positive outlook, it’s hard to tell that Dee has had more than her fair share of hardships. She knows better than anyone that keeping yourself moving on a day-to-day basis can be difficult.
“Being active and being disabled can be a hurdle every day […] the world hasn’t been made for disabled folk.”
In addition to the obvious societal shortfalls that make everyday activities harder to manage, Dee also contends with personal challenges that have made her journey to wellness in the outdoors against the odds even more inspiring. She explains the physical implications of being born with a rare inherited condition.
“I live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which causes connective tissue mutation and it doesn’t work precisely as it should. So [it causes] each of my joints – including at the fingers, knees, hips, toes, but also my back, my spine – to partially dislocate. And this happens all the time so it’s really challenging to move, even to stand up, and very painful. It can be quite dangerous as I do fall a lot. And sometimes I just can’t move because I have like, a partial paralysis for a few seconds or a few minutes.”
On top of this, there are internal barriers, such as the anxiety that developed after Dee was diagnosed with complex PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). She identifies mental health as one of the more common obstacles on the path to wellness in the outdoors – an obstacle with which many of us might be familiar.
“For me, and I think for many people, it’s getting out of the house.”
So what motivates Dee to stay active and help reduce her risk of breast cancer despite these daily challenges? First and foremost, it’s the feeling of wellness that comes from the outdoors.
“I miss nature really. If I don’t connect with it on a regular basis, I just miss it. It just feels like part of me.”
Beyond this, seeking wellness in the outdoors is a vital way of navigating the long-term physical implications of a neurodegenerative condition triggered by her trauma, which could worsen without exercise. Not to mention the unique psychological challenges posed by her Autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
“It can be quite exhausting and overwhelming to live and to manoeuvre in in neurotypical worlds […] I do need to recharge every day to function, otherwise I suffer burnout and it can get me to a dark place. So I need that.“
Dee is painfully aware that getting active is easier said than done. So what advice would she give to people who are struggling to begin their own journey to wellness in the outdoors?
“Don’t overthink it. And I’m saying this out of my experience. Forget about gear, forget about fancy clothing. […] It doesn’t matter. What matters is you. Just make use of what you have.”
As a champion of accessibility, Dee is keen to redefine the whole idea of fitness, which is often offputting.
“When we think about wellbeing or being active, a lot of people think about fitness, and fitness is just being wealthy and healthy; this is what the fitness and outdoors industry really portrays, but it isn’t. It could be any movement, and just being out there. ”
In fact, it has been proven that staying active could reduce your risk of breast cancer by around 20%. Dee explains how completing just a month of activity, such as Breast Cancer UK’s 30-day challenge, can yield surprising results.
“If you walk daily, even a little bit every day – if you do it and if you do it mindfully and with a deliberate movement – I don’t think you will recognise yourself after 30 days.”
While Dee is a big fan of the e-bike when it comes to increasing mobility, she champions the cheapest route to wellness in the outdoors.
“What I would recommend to everyone else is walking for two reasons. Almost everyone with or without mobility aids can do it. You don’t need any kit or gear. And also, if you think about this from a more scientific point of view […] walking is the most ancient way, which means it will have that neurological proprioception. It will stimulate your body and nerves in a good way. […] If you stop and just observe nature, you connect to it, using all your senses, I don’t think you will be able to see the world in the same way again.”
As Dee mentions her upcoming expedition to the Outer Hebrides, it becomes clear that this is someone who practises what they preach. This is equally true of her support for Breast Cancer UK. Dee was once in the lab herself, conducting scientific research into the effects of xeno-estrogen on breast cancer development. Though she admits that while wearing a white coat she felt removed from the human face of the disease, after seeing the sheer number of cases – of which at least 30% are preventable – Dee now has a clear message for those considering the 30-day challenge.
‘It could be you. It could be your friend, your loved one. It’s so common. We need to do everything we can to keep the chance of longer lives for our loved ones.”
Has Dee’s story inspired you? Play your part and sign up for our 30-Day Challenge to get active and reduce your risk of breast cancer. When you consistently hit your targets, the activity is more likely to become a lasting habit (source).