Hi there! My name is Sam and I want to raise £4000 for OCD UK

And before you ask, no I don’t mean OCD as in the thing that makes people clean like Mr Muscle during his steroid phase!

I’m here to tell you a different story about OCD.

For years I have dealt with OCD Intrusive Thoughts, Images and Impulses of pretty much every type so I know how dark and debilitating living with OCD can get.

Most recently I struggled with what I can only describe as a paralytic case of Relationship OCD, it also caused me quite a few times to get paralytic in another sense of the word but we won’t talk about that!

My OCD stemmed from the negative core belief and deep insecurity I had which was that I was not good enough for anything or anyone.

I developed this core belief, as we all do, during childhood from certain experiences I had with my Dad.

94% of us on this planet experience having intrusive thoughts, images and impulses however you may just know them instead as “fears”, “anxieties” or “trepidations” if you're a smart arse.

They are false, unwanted and irrational thoughts, images and urges that can range from being pretty tame such as that you’ve left the gas on, the door unlocked or the taps running to stronger fears of contamination or that people think certain things about you, to then being very distressing fears of committing disturbing, disgusting, violent, suicidal acts etc.

They are however just thoughts we all have and have no intention of acting upon.

Now the problem for someone with OCD is that they will firstly reject these intrusive thoughts, obsess over all the possible bad outcomes from them happening and then repeat compulsions against them cycle after cycle. Causing themselves to spiral ever lower into a pit of crippling anxiety and exhaustion every single time they are triggered.

The type of intrusive thoughts they have will also be influenced by situations in their lives, things they care about and/or traumatic experiences they’ve been through etc.

It’s like having a bully in your mind 24/7, it will find your sensitivities and exploit them for a reaction every time it sees even the potential for an opportunity to.

This can seem like an impossibly vicious cycle to get out of especially if you don’t know how to reach the core of the problem.

My mission is to help make it possible for everyone with OCD!

Having recently finished therapy for my OCD with a great man called Peter from the NHS Wellbeing Service.

I have learnt how OCD relates to and thrives on the negative core beliefs we have. And I've learnt some powerful tools and techniques I can use in order to not react to my intrusive thoughts and in doing so break down the neural pathways that lead to and support the core belief that I wasn’t good enough.

In practising this I have automatically programmed in the opposite core belief that I am good enough and therefore the intrusive thoughts, the fears, they can no longer get to me because there’s no longer any insecurity or self doubt for them to play on and use as fuel, curing my OCD.

I have been practising Neuroplasticity!

Reprogramming and rewiring my brain to better it’s function, to change my behaviour, to change who I am, to change how I live my life and so can you!

I have honestly never felt so secure in myself and had such peace of mind before, it’s euphoric!

I still have all different types of intrusive thoughts daily but my OCD with them has basically vanished along with all the other escapism symptoms I had from it such as overeating, binge drinking and procrastination.

Occasionally I am tested when a scenario with a higher trigger rate arises but that’s all part of the process of getting stronger, seeking discomfort and working hard with the tools you have to overcome these challenges.

I am free of the chains of fear, feeling at my core that I am confident and capable enough to go on and do whatever I want with my life! Which is how everyone wants to feel right?

I want everyone else who doesn’t already to feel like that too.

Therefore I’m going to tell my story as an example to help teach these tools and techniques in a formula which I’ve learnt works to others.

Others with negative core beliefs and insecurities that are fuelling their OCD, their anxiety, their depression and in a society that's so rife with them all. So that we can all have a shot at being the best versions of ourselves and not our own prisoners!

So that together we can turn this Obsessive Compulsive Society that constantly seeks validation for its insecurities in social media likes and materialism. And which escapes rising anxiety levels with procrastination and addiction into a thriving one of outgoing, strong, passionate, creative people who are contributing their talents to the world because they are confident enough to do so!

So to do this my plan is to run an ultramarathon… with 40 lb's on my back!

Aaand make a documentary about it!

The Norfolk Coastal Path stretches 84 miles from Hunstanton to Hopton-On-Sea and I will be running the length of it starting on June 29th 2024 to raise a target of £4000 for OCD UK.

A 1lb weight will be added to my bag for every £100 raised up to the target.

For those donating because you are also struggling with OCD or another mental health issue. You have the choice to leave a message about what it is you're fighting with alongside your donation, anonymously if you wish. Which I will then pick out and stick to the weights in my bag so that it is at least metaphorically as if I am helping you carry the weight of it.

So if you can relate to any of this whatsoever or if you’re just a sicko who wants to see me in pain then get donating now!

Thank you,

Sam Goolding :)