Nick Johnston: Christchurch Police Officer on his efforts to raise money for Better Man by completing half Iron Mans

A Christchurch Police officer is turning pain into purpose. 

Nick Johnston has been an officer for many years and was one of the first on the scene at the Christchurch mosque terrorist attack. 

Over the years the strain and trauma has built up, but Johnston has turned his breaking point into a purpose – aiming to complete a half Iron Man challenge every day in November to raise money for mental health charity Better Man. 

He joined Lesley Murdoch to chat about his efforts.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Wow, Well, let's go out to Nick Johnston. Of course
we know that he is a police dog handled but
during the month of November he is doing a half
iron Man every day collaboration with better Man charity for
mental health, and Nick joins us this morning that.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning, good morning, thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:19):
Well, look, we just wanted to check in and see
on the twenty second of November. How are you feeling well.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
I've just finished the swim and I'm feeling okay today,
so hopefully you can get on the bike. And it
doesn't look like there's much wind out there today, so
it should be a good morning. Right. It's been quite
a hot November, to be honest, but it's all good.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
Tell our listeners if they weren't awear what a half
iron Man means distance wise.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
So the swim is one point nine k, the bike
is ninety k and the run is twenty one point.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
One k and you're doing that every day?

Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yes, so far I've done that every day. Yep.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
So where do you swim?

Speaker 2 (00:56):
Swim at the Sale and Aquaduct Center. They've been awesome
and accommodating, so yeah, getting a me in there every
morning and giving me a lane it's been great.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
So the body sore. You getting any extra help to
keep it together?

Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yes, so I'm Yeah, I'm getting physio each day which
has been a massive help. So each night I've got
a half an hour physio aportment and the team at
Motus Rolliston and Lincoln have been looking after me there,
which has been much needed.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
A phenomenal physical and mental exercise.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, I'm pretty passionate about men's mental health and I
wanted to raise money for a good charity like better Man.
The idea come from watching following a guy in the
UK who did one hundred and five iron Man's and
one hundred and five days, and that was pretty inspiring.
That sort of set the wills and motion of wanting
to do something something similar but not that outrageous.

Speaker 1 (01:47):
You have got a background in sport anyway, Albeit I
know you very good cricketer. Is Suley you played for? Yes? Yeah?

Speaker 2 (01:54):
I played almost in your cricket at the Shirley Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
And your brother Tim very good spin bowler.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yeah he's Yeah, he's a very good player, very good bowler.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
So do you follow the cricket these days? Yeah?

Speaker 2 (02:06):
I still follow it. The last night was good. I
got the compression boots on and park up on the
couch and recovered watching the ashes. So I still enjoy
watching the cricket.

Speaker 1 (02:15):
Did you see Ben Stokes as five at bag? Now?

Speaker 2 (02:18):
I was actually in bed by then because it was
nearly started down the pool, so I missed that unfortunately.

Speaker 1 (02:22):
But you're sleeping okay given all the exercise that you're doing.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, sleeping, Yeah, sleeping's going pretty well, to be honest,
So I can't complain there, My.

Speaker 1 (02:30):
Goodness, what are you going to do when November the
thirtieth comes around or December the first?

Speaker 2 (02:35):
I'll just get back to being a dad and a
good husband around the house with the wife's carrying the
load at the moment, which is highly appreciated.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
Well, i'll tell you what, you'd be earning a few
bevies come December first.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah, well I'm hoping that, hoping that there'll be a
few bibes on the cold lit on the finish line
on the thirtieth, To be.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
Honest, Can the public get out and watch you?

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah? Anyone can come out. If people just touch base
with me through social media or Strava, they can come
out and come for a run or a bike and
I've had quite a few people just reach out and
come out for bikes and runs. So it's been awesome
actually getting the community together.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
And Craig wants to know who's the best cricket coach
you've ever had?

Speaker 2 (03:15):
Is that Craig Curve on the chat, I'm going to
have to say, Craig, no, you are.

Speaker 1 (03:23):
Maybe you've set the challenge for him to get out there.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, come out, Frank telling them to bring the mountain
bike and bike around while I'm running if you want it.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
Okay, he's just he's just doing something on Strava. Yeah okay.
Well the biggest challenge you facing it because getting some
money out of Craig to donate to your calls. He
said he'll buy the beers at the Grouse.

Speaker 2 (03:46):
It sounds bloody good to me. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay, hey, look, thanks so much. Awesome cheers go.

Speaker 2 (03:51):
I appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (03:52):
Okay, So yeah bye For more from News Talk, said b.
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