I’m so proud (and still slightly shocked 😅) to say that I’ll be running the 2026 London Marathon with Mind, a mental health charity that truly means a lot to me 🧠💬.

Mental health is something I’ve come to care about more and more over the last few years, not just because of what I’ve gone through myself, but because of what I’ve seen in others too.

So many people are dealing with it silently.

It’s not always visible,

It’s not always easy to talk about.

There’s so much that goes on behind closed doors….. and you never really know what someone’s been through, or what they’re still carrying.

I’ve been there… showing up, smiling, trying to keep it all together - but feeling completely disconnected on the inside.

And that feeling of not knowing how to explain it, or not even understanding it yourself, is something I know so many people go through.

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🧠 Living with ADHD

For me, one of the biggest things that’s affected my mental health is ADHD.

I was diagnosed during my A-Levels. Not exactly the best timing 😂 but it finally explained years of feeling like something was off. I grew up constantly wondering why I reacted the way I did, why I struggled with certain things, or why I just couldn’t seem to do what was expected of me, even when I was trying.

ADHD isn’t just about being forgetful or fidgety.

For me, it’s been deeply emotional.

It’s affected how I relate to people, how I handle stress, how I sleep, how I eat, how I show up at work - everything.

It’s overwhelming, unpredictable, and at times really lonely.

I’ve got friends with ADHD too - and none of us experience it the same way. But what we all share is how tightly it’s tied to our mental health - and how misunderstood it still is.

That’s why I want to use this marathon to do something bigger than just ticking off a goal ✅.

I want to speak up 📣, raise awareness 💡, and try turning something that’s been difficult for me - and for so many others - into something good 💞.

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🧠 The I Can Focus Club

Back in December, I had the idea to start something called The I Can Focus Club - a space for people with ADHD and mental health challenges to connect 🤝, speak honestly 💬, and try new things together 🌱 (without pressure).

I didn’t know how to get it off the ground then… but now feels like the right time 🫡

Alongside this marathon journey 🏃‍♀️, I’ll be posting vlogs 📹, updates 📲, and doing things (sometimes with others!) that push me out of my comfort zone 😬 - because starting something when your brain is full, loud, and unpredictable isn’t easy.

But that’s kind of the point.

I want this to be a space where it’s OK to be in progress 🚧🧠

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💙 Why I’m running for Mind

Mind supports people at some of the hardest and most vulnerable points in their lives - through crisis helplines, therapy resources , advocacy work, and by fighting for better support services across the UK 🇬🇧.

They help people feel seen, heard , and supported, when they need it most - and by donating, you’re helping fund real mental health support 🧠. The kind that saves lives. The kind that often goes unnoticed until it’s desperately needed ❤️‍🩹.

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🤝 How you can help

To run for Mind, I’ve committed to raising £2,500 💸

If you can donate - whether it’s £1 or £100 - it genuinely makes a difference 🙏

If not, a share 🔁, a message 💌, or just following the journey means just as much 🫶

This is for anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood.

For anyone figuring themselves out 🧩

For anyone who’s kept things quiet for too long 🤫

You’re not alone.

And you don’t have to be 💙

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Thank you for reading and supporting - it means more than you know 😊

Anie x

🧠 Follow along on Instagram: @icanfocusclub