Frankie Tinsley: "In all respects, I am an underdog, taking on something that has never been done before."
Published: August 13, 2021 | Updated: 13th August 2021
He calls it a pilgrimage into endurance.
An extreme triathlon like no other.
And one that’s never been done before.
Former Royal Marine commando – and now RAF Physical Training Instructor – Frankie Tinsley started out on one of the most challenging 14 days of his life at the weekend.
Over the next two weeks the 40-year-old will undertake the Talisman Triathlon involving:
In total, Frankie, a Flight Sergeant with the RAF and who lives in Bournemouth, will tackle 65km of swimming, 1,468km of cycling and 195km of running.
It’s been described as the first Great British Triathlon.
Apart from raising awareness of physical resilience, positive mindset and the pillars of body, mind and spirit, Frankie aims to signpost mental health and suicide.
Specifically the mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Frankie said: “Every week, 125 people in the UK take their own lives.
“Seventy five per cent of all UK suicides are male.
“In May 2016, Andrew Shepherd, a Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructor, originally from Ballachulish, Scotland took his own life.
“I had seen him just days before he moved back to Scotland with his wife Gayle and young daughter, Ari.
“In January 2017, Andrew Morris, a Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructor, originally from Falmouth, Cornwall, took his own life.
“Less than six months earlier Andy and I had planned to organise some form of charity event spanning England, Wales and Scotland.
“The Talisman Triathlon is the product of that conversation; I didn’t choose the event – it chose me.
“I have never completed a triathlon, and no one has yet to establish a triathlon across Britain’s longest lakes and highest mountains.
“In all respects, I am an underdog, taking on something that has never been done before.
Frankie pictured with his kit for the Talisman Triathlon. Picture: Matt Hardy.
“The Talisman Triathlon, over 14 days, built on the background stories of Andy and Andy, will present a narrative surrounding physical and mental health (strong in body and mind) to raise awareness around suicide.
“I hope that others will join me on this journey to add even greater depth to this conversation.
“I will travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
“I will visit Andrew Morris’s memorial Bench on the first day of the challenge.
“Toward the end of my journey, I will pass Ballachulish, where Andrew Shepherd chose to pass.
“I also hope that my journey of effort, mindset, suffering, belief and sacrifice for a higher purpose will encourage those unknown individuals who may be struggling in silence to continue to fight their own battles.
“By signposting the charity CALM and raising funds, I hope that this event will encourage these individuals to speak out in order to get the help and support that they very much need.”
Among those backing is ThruDark, the Poole-based clothing and equipment brand, co-founded by Frankie’s brother, Louis, and Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker in 2018.
Louis, pictured left, who had 14 years’ distinguished and decorated military service – eight within UK Special Forces – said: “Project Talisman is an epic undertaking.
“Huge respect to my brother Frankie who has taken it upon himself to complete this endeavour.
“He’s a remarkable man and myself and ThruDark will be supporting our Talisman all the way.”
Other sponsors of the Talisman Triathlon are CALM, Huub Design and Ribble Cycles.
On his first day Frankie completed 181 km and ten hours in the saddle.
Follow his progress on Instagram and also Facebook.
To make a donation, please click here.
Frankie said: “CALM is the UK’s leading movement against suicide.
“Since the beginning of lockdown, the CALM helpline has answered over 190,000 calls and chats.
“That is a call every 61 seconds.
“It costs £8 to answer a potentially life-saving call.
“It is more important to signpost the charity CALM than it is to raise funds, and for this reason, I have not chosen to set a fundraising target.
“I would prefer people to follow and share the story of the Talisman Triathlon in an attempt to reach as many as possible.”
