Free Solo! Oh my lord. I loved that film! A slice of Sacha Heaven right there! A fitting backdrop as we fly over Iceland and onto Greenland.
The enigma that is Alex Honnold and his breathtaking free solo climb of El Capitan…
Every time I watch this.. every time I read his story or listen to his interviews, I am held spellbound…
The imperfect foundation of his childhood created the perfect storm of an ascent. The impossible made possible with no room for error. The focus, the self belief and the selfish pursuit of a destiny that had to be pursued! I just love it.
The raw backdrop of El Cap is so harsh and unforgiving but true Yosemite spectacular! The film crew deserve medals … and amongst them one of my favourites, Jimmy Chin. He summits with Alex and had to possess the added courage of knowing that, at any given moment, he could have witnessed he friend plummet to his death. Not only that, he’d have been filming it! I just stand in awe!
The film finishes with an awesome song…Tim McGraw’s ‘Gravity’… a song worthy of the film and of its position as the final track …
Most people will never get to climb a mountain… some will never even get to see a mountain .. but Gravity relates to our own, personal El Capitans… enjoy! 🙂
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Sacha Brakenbury
As mum to three sons (and auntie to ten!) Sacha is kept busy trying to keep the kids alive, safe, fed and watered.
Having specialised in Child Psychology and Linguistics at the University of Reading, Sacha went on to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Education before taking up her first teaching post as Head of Boys Sport and Year 6 teacher. After 6 years, Sacha was fortunate enough to awarded a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, enabling her to undertake an extensive research project overseas. Sacha has worked with some of the world's top professional sports and educational institutions across Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand - researching ways of engaging young people through the medium of sport and in particular how this can help to reduce drug use and gang membership.
After returning to the UK Sacha became Education Director at Ipswich Town Football Club, leading in the government's 'Playing for Success' scheme. She went on to establish three highly respected Study Centres back in the East of England, each of which used sport as a means of motivating children and young people. After successfully completing her National Professional Qualification for Headship in Cambridge, Sacha went on to study for her Masters Degree in Education.
With the arrival of her three sons, Sacha decided it was time to 'go it alone.' She set up her own business consultancy, supporting a range of charities and organisations across the UK. Securing funds in excess of £2 million pounds, Sacha was able to 'give wings' to a wide range of charitable causes close to her heart. She continues this today with work specifically for Child First Trust.
It was her own kids that were the inspiration behind her establishing Learning Academies (www.learningacademies.co.uk) - a tutoring company that has the simple mission to motivate and encourage its students to become confident and assertive learners who are not afraid to 'take risks' and challenge themselves.
As a passionate photographer, Sacha is never more at home than when she's travelling, camera in hand, boys in tow. As a qualified medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, she is able to combine her love the outdoors with her passion for wild animals.
View all posts by Sacha Brakenbury
Free Solo! Oh my lord. I loved that film! A slice of Sacha Heaven right there! A fitting backdrop as we fly over Iceland and onto Greenland.
Essex Boys in Canada 🇨🇦 