Record Live Podcast

A Ride for Life_ The World-First Quad Tandem Ride
Intro: [00:00:00] Hi there everyone. I'm Jared. And I'm Sunita. We are your hosts of Record Live, a podcast where we talk about church faith and living well. We believe as followers of Jesus faith is more than just a set of beliefs. It's a way of life, something we'd put into practice. Let's go live.
Zanita Fletcher: Hello everyone and welcome back to another week of record live. This is always one of my favorite times of the week because I get to have, conversations with people about life and faith, , often who I've never met. But every now and then I get to have a friend on the show, which is always fun. And today I have my friend Anna, but also returning guest Anna, on the show.
So thank you for coming back today.
Anna Lindbeck: Aw, thank you so much, sun. It's so nice to be here.
Zanita Fletcher: , Anna, people might [00:01:00] expect you to be here for musical reasons, 'cause that's what many people know you for. , But the last time we had you on record live, you were actually talking about how you had haystacks for six months during COVID.
, And this time you're talking about another exciting kinda wild adventure that you're about to embark on. Do you wanna tell us what you are about to set off on doing?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah. Firstly, I love that I was on for haystacks. That's just obviously quality content all round. , But yes, we have upgraded, I would say to kind of a bit of the next level.
There is me and three other women, we are gonna be riding a quad tandem bike. So that's. Four people on one bike, across Australia. It's gonna be a world first, and we're raising money for suicide prevention. So it's a pretty wild idea. We're actually leaving in less than two weeks, so feeling pretty nervous, but excited to share about the journey.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. We're actually pre-recording this, so by the time that this is uploaded, you. Be on your way across Australia, which is crazy. That's so cool. That's, [00:02:00] I'll have a listen on the bike ride. Hey, Anna? Yeah, yeah. Point out. , Uh, where did this idea come from, Anna? Was this something that you screwed up or someone else?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah, that's such a good question. So me and my sister, we actually went on a, , a ride called Ride for Rescue run by Louise Gin. It's an annual event riding from Canberra to kosciuszko, and they raised money for the Blossom Project over in Vanuatu. And yeah, me and my sister were riding on there and we met Louise for the first time and she's just a amazing bike rider, a very big dreamer.
And she was like, yeah, me and my friends. Sonya, we're gonna ride across Australia on a tandem. And my sister and I were like, can we get a tandem too and come with you guys? So it was gonna be these, you know, four women writing these two tandems. And then Louise stumbled across, , a video of a quad tandem, and she just sent it to our group chat and all of us were like.
Yes, this is it. , And little did [00:03:00] we know the next year of our lives would be trying to find a quad tandem. Everything about quad tandems. , And yeah, they're much more rare than I expected and it's turned into, a pretty phenomenal adventure and, , yeah, loved it.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. Awesome. So it's, uh, yourself, your sister, Rach, Sonya and Louise that's gonna be on the bike.
Yeah. Yes. Yep, yep, yep. And where, how did you end up finding this bike?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah. So, yeah, kind of a crazy story, but, I rung around to lots of places in Australia, so did my brother, like lots of us were trying to find. I, I even looked up just like random tandem clubs in Australia and they're like, nah, nah, don't have a quad.
, You know, and so we're like, oh. And so then we ended up finding three companies that made them in America. And so we reached out to. The companies and got some quotes and yeah, mostly the quotes were between 30 to 35,000 Australian. Wow. So we were like, oh, well I suppose we just need to get the sponsorship and get this bike and get everything sorted.
, But then my sister Rachel, stumbled [00:04:00] across this. Canadian series, where these four blokes who were just young kind of larrikin vibes and they're like, let's do a Quad Tandem race. I'm also raising money for suicide prevention. So r followed this little series and then just Instagram stalked. Well, you know, but just messaged all the, all of them on Instagram.
And one of them got back to us and we had a meeting. And slowly but surely, like long story short. They ended up selling us their secondhand women's bike, , for yeah, around 12,000 Australian dollars. So we were so grateful. And yeah, our bike's from Canada.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. Awesome. And tell us about some of the logistics of this ride.
, How is it functionally gonna work? Have you guys been training how you sleep? Like tell us some of those little details.
Anna Lindbeck: Oh yeah, lots of details. , Honestly, it's been just like a whole year of just ticking off random little tasks that come up, like, you know, everything from, and we're all just like already working basically full time.
Most of us and a couple of people that become passionate jump [00:05:00] on board. But you know, we're essentially like designing all the logos. We're trying to source vehicles to be our support. We're trying to. Grab, you know, people that can support us across the way. People with bike skills, cooking skills, videography skills, , yeah, training plans that we're all feeling ready for the ride.
, Our jerseys like even connecting with the schools along the way, like, , connecting with social media, making media packages, like the list are just never ending. Yeah. And yeah, our last meeting we actually got up to 72 unfinished things that needed to be done in the next two weeks. So it's just a whirlwind and we just kind of delegate them out and just try our best amongst our crazy lives.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. You mentioned that you are doing this, , to support a course. , Why did you choose this specific. Uh, not, I guess cause that you have decided on, 'cause there's so many things that you could put money towards. Why have you chosen this one? Is it something that's like close to you guys' heart or is it just like you just chose one?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah, [00:06:00] yeah, no, it was definitely chosen pretty intentionally. , So our leader, Louise, yeah, it's pretty close, close to her heart, in particular her family. So, yeah, that struggle with mental health and things like this. And, , so yeah, , it was pretty on her heart. And Sonya also, she's. , She's a doctor and sees a lot of, a lot of things.
And so that, that was on her heart. And then when they kind of shared the organization, they'd already picked, 'cause, you know, they were gonna do this first. , Rachel and I have, have fortunately not had anyone like really close to us. Yeah. Which , we were very grateful for. But we definitely, you know, we are both teachers and we've seen, you know, teenagers struggling with, , self-harm or these darker thoughts and yeah, I suppose as teachers, we are trained.
, To, to look out for , these young people. You know, we're trying to grow them into people that have positive self-esteem and values and, , have, have this full and abundant life. And to be battling with these, these thoughts that, yeah, maybe I shouldn't be around, or things like this is. Is something that, yeah, I wanted to learn more about even, , how to help [00:07:00] with that and, , yeah, , and the fact that nine Australians commit suicide every, every day.
So, you know, it is something impacting our society and it's something that we should care about. And I also have a very strong belief. , All four of us are Christians. . And we just have a strong belief that we are made in the image of God, that we are all deeply valuable and that the message of God is that he wants us all to have life and life more abundantly.
So, , yeah, this cause just seems so fitting and even, um, just listening to Gus Walland Walland, who actually created , gotcha. For Life and his story really got me, like, there's just a five, 10 minute thing on YouTube. He does a TED talk and mm-hmm. Super powerful how he got to the place where he was supporting mental health and, and suicide prevention.
It was through actually his own mentor who we looked up to committing suicide and it really just shook him and Yeah, and it became a really turning point for his own life, so. Mm-hmm.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. You mentioned, , prior to us pressing record. , That one of the things [00:08:00] that the organization gotcha for life does is going to schools.
And you said that they go in for kind of like long hauls. Can you tell us some of the things that, um, 'cause you are raising $500,000, which is a lot. , What is that money gonna go towards and what does this organization already do? For sure. One thing
Anna Lindbeck: I love about this organization is there's quite a lot of suicide related, , causes, like Beyond Blue and, and Black Dog, and they're mostly and Lifeline, they're mostly in the crisis moments, which I think is really awesome.
But the difference with Gotcha for life, the need that they felt like they wanted to feel is preventative. So they actually talk a lot about building mental fitness and, and building that. Resilience and the growth that you need to actually have, , yeah, the mental fortitude to face, you know, the, the negative things that we can come across in this life.
And so I really love that. And yeah, they go into schools, they also go into businesses, into footy clubs and, , they actually, usually, typically their programs last for three years, [00:09:00] and that means a facilitator is paid. , And, and yeah, I'm not sure like how frequently they'll come in and do check-ins, but it's, you know, that long haul.
, Check in, you know, teaching, , yeah, like very, very intentional preventative, , measures, which I think is incredible. , And yeah, as a school teacher, I'm passionate that they're doing it in schools and yeah, and that's why we're pretty excited to visit schools along the way too.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. Yeah. Do you have an idea what you're gonna be doing when you go into those schools?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah, we had a meeting with the Gotcha For Life team, which was so helpful the other week. , That was another one of our things to do before the ride. , And they actually helped us make a PowerPoint with, , just really good language around, , all the things that they've learned through, through facilitating all of these things.
Now, obviously we're not fully trained and , we won't be going into. , The depths of everything. But I think even the main core message that I felt like I took away from that meeting, and that is through the PowerPoint, is they have this concept of village and that, if people have. A [00:10:00] village who is in your village, and do people actually trust their village?
Are they vulnerable with their village? And, , that is actually almost the antidote to, , suicidal tendencies or thoughts or following through on that because you have real people that are willing to check in, in a real way with you and being vulnerable. Mm-hmm. And, , yeah, having a community behind you supports you.
That is super important. So even that theme of checking in really with your mates, not just the larrikin, like, oh yeah, you going, yeah, she'll be right mate, kind of vibe that we have in Australia, but a real like, Hey, I've noticed you struggling. Like, like how's your thought life going? Like what? Yeah. How are you really going?
And just having those conversations.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Yeah, I think, like the topic of mental health is definitely becoming more. Common and accepted, , within the church. This is like a faith podcast as well. Yeah. Which is awesome. But I think it's something that people are still kind of learning how to have those conversations.
And even though as [00:11:00] church members, us people who go to church, we're in a village, we're in a community, but a lot of people still often feel, , alone or isolated or like they don't have people to talk to, but people in that kind of setting. What are some of the ways that they can kind of like bridge those gaps?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah, I, I think something that's kind of hard about traditional church is that it is quite large and I think people can feel unknown in that crowd. , , and so, I mean, I would say. Personally, and I'm not sure if this is the right answer, but I would say something like small groups have really been a big thing in my own life for actually feeling known and understood and heard and having a safe place to, to share.
So. If you can get connected in with a smaller Bible study group, a, a small group of people that meet together faithfully, , even just like one prayer partner or a couple of others that you might just go to a cafe with once a week and really share. So yeah, you've gotta find your [00:12:00] people. And I, I think, you know, you might take a few small groups before you really find your people, but every, everyone will find it eventually.
But I think it might take yourself, putting yourself out there. To actually find the group that gets you, understands you and, , is yeah, is really those people that are there for, you know, the ones that will help you move house, the ones that will help you decide , the color you're gonna paint in your house.
Like, they'll bring over cookies if you're sick, not cookies, garlic drinks. You know, so you know the ones that actually genuinely look out for you and notice if you're missing and things like that. Whereas you can easily go to church in and out and no one knows. So, , which is a shame, but yeah, I would say smaller, more intentional communities that really are your people.
Zanita Fletcher: Hmm. Yeah. I love it. Yeah. I was reading the Gotcha For Life's website prior to this conversation and the founder in his mission statement said, I want a society where we can seek help when life gets challenging, where we can build open and honest relationships and feel comfortable expressing ourselves no matter what.
Which is awesome. But it also got me thinking about, , your [00:13:00] actual. Ride across Australia and how inevitably you guys are gonna come across, , hurdles and obstacles., But if you were all on a separate bike, it would be easy to kind of, you know, work at the back for a few days, ponder on your own, but you're gonna be so close together.
Yes. , Have you discussed how you're gonna navigate some of the struggles that you, that you faced with the trip?
Anna Lindbeck: Yes, Zanita. We've actually had some great chats about this because I think what we've realized is that we are gonna be like living this out. Like, like we actually all all have a tendency to kind of be people pleasers and just kinda like let things slide.
So like we've already come across things where it's like, we actually need to be honest and open about this. 'cause things just fester and then they never go. Well, and, and the thing is, it's all about practicing vulnerability. Like, and, and being able to be open about conversations. And I think to some degree, you know, some of us in the group are more connected than others, so obviously I'm very connected to my sister, so [00:14:00] we are super vulnerable with each other, and that's awesome.
But yeah, like how do, how do you do that across the group, across , the support team at all different ages, different personality styles, like. I think, , one thing we've tried to put in, , or that's in our schedule, is a 7:30 PM worship and debrief. So I think also, you know, Christ and Jesus is the center of, , our lives.
And to come back to a worship just ground ourselves again, like I think that's gonna be pretty crucial. And then. Us actually being very honest and open and dealing with things as they come up. Because you can't just let things slide for six weeks and like be okay. , So yeah, we kind of talked about that and we've even actually shared what, so we were actually like, so what does each other need?
Like, one of the things I need otherwise I'm gonna be very annoyed, is leaving on time. , Like if we're saying we are leaving at six and we leave at seven, in my mind I'm like, dude, we're 20 Ks behind. Now. That's an extra at the end of the day when everyone's more tired, like, you know, the winds are better in the morning, it's cooler.
[00:15:00] So just, that's the thing that I really need. So the other team, if they're a bit loose on that. You need it. I'd really love it if you and, and, another one in our team, she really needs her, her quiet time. So we've actually made sure she has her own tent, whereas the rest of us are kind of piling in and just sharing tents.
So yeah. So, you know, just very little things like that. I kind of, , yeah, has, has come out and I think it's been great to start those conversations of what do we really need to thrive here and let's be open about it and maybe we need to have those vulnerable chats. So, yeah. Good.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. And I think that's, , an important thing.
Like before you were saying to have your close, like your small group or to have your close people that you can talk to. I think even just in life, having someone who you can communicate what you need. 'cause I think a lot of the times we just, , we lurk at the back kind of like the bike analogy and we don't say anything and we hope someone will ask and then we, you know, get upset and feel isolated.
So, , yes.
Anna Lindbeck: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Hmm.
Zanita Fletcher: When we think of something like this Ride, Anna, we think of how [00:16:00] physically hard it's gonna be. And obviously we've kind of just touched on, . Some of the mental struggles as well. But how is mental fitness just as important, I guess, in a ride like this? Hmm.
Anna Lindbeck: Oh, it's, I would argue it's even more important, which seems crazy, but I, but I mean, physically, yes.
Like it will be super challenging, but quite a few of us have done like endurancey kind of things before, and like we've been training pretty hard, so. I expect , and we've got all day together. That's, you know, even we have to walk, we'll be there, , with the bike. , So it, it's. But yeah, the actual keeping on going like head down, like when it's hard, when you've got a headwind when it's raining, like when you're pissed off at someone, like, you know, that's, that is that mental strength , and fortitude is really what's gonna get you, , get you going.
And I mean, , it's, it's actually really amazing to me because Sonya actually isn't a bike rider and I've been so impressed with her [00:17:00] training. , But like, and I, impressive, honest, I was a little bit nervous about that 'cause I'm like, well, she's not a bike ride up. But on our 80 kilometer ride that we did together, sh like, her mental headspace is just incredible.
And, and I literally was like, cool. That's awesome to me. Like even if you'll learn to ride a bike, like you'll learn strength and vibe and she's been smashing training, which is amazing. But I think mental fortitude is, is super crucial and I think all four of us. Have demonstrated that quite a lot in the past and so I think, I think that will get us through.
But yeah, there's definitely gonna be days we, we crack and we're gonna have to figure that out. But , yeah, we've
Zanita Fletcher: gotta get through. Yeah. So good. , Yeah, I, I don't know if this is being live streamed, but I would love if there was just a camera on the front of the bike so we can tune in at any time.
Anna Lindbeck: That would be so funny. How reckon I be nervous being watched at any time. I dunno. Yeah. We actually have the craziest conversation [00:18:00] sometimes on the ade. Just 'cause like you just, you're stuck there for so many hours, you're like, oh, rat next.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah.
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah,
Zanita Fletcher: sure. , I'd be curious to know Anna, . Many people might kind of know you from your music or I don't know, from schools or wherever.
I feel like you're a pretty popular face, but , from what I've seen of you, you are a pretty positive, upbeat person. Are there things that you do? I know some people say that., Optimism is like a genetic thing and you're born with a certain like perspective, but I think it is also intention. , What are some of the things that you do in your own personal life to stay mentally fit?
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah. Such a good question. , I, I do feel like an element in personality does play a part. I think I've gotta acknowledge that I was born with a pretty like. Life is, you know, glass is half full vibes. , And if anyone's on the Enneagram, I, I think I'm a number seven, which is very much that, , just, yeah, woo, life.
, But then sometimes you miss the negative and the criticism and you gotta work that out. But [00:19:00] anyway, , but I do, there are actually some habits that I think really do contribute to a positive outlook. And so, one thing is that I journal every day. , Or I should say most days, 'cause look, sometimes I miss it, but most days and sometimes I skim back and literally mostly it's always like, it's a prayer journal.
So I'm like, dear Jesus. And then mostly the first, next word is always, thank you so much. Like, it's, it's weird. Like I, I feel like it's just my natural to be like, thank you so much for this or this or this, or, thanks for being awesome God, or different things. , Thanks for that, that happened the other day.
And yeah. And, there was a speaker that at church one day that spoke to us about gratitude changing her life , and she was encouraging everyone to. Things that they're thankful for. And so when I was realizing, oh, every day I actually am starting with something I'm grateful for, thank you for this.
So that's definitely been a parting and ingrained in me. Second one is, i, I really prioritize exercise and obviously more than ever with this bike ride, but trying to get a good solid hour of [00:20:00] exercising every day, I think it just can't help but boost. Like there's so much science around what that does for your endorphins and different things like that.
, And the third one is, I would say trying to eat healthy because I know that in times when I've eaten less healthy, like, like way too much sugar or just eating massive meals. You actually feel just a bit like cluggy, you know? , But when you're like clean eating and yeah, prioritizing health and some of those habits, you just, yeah, I think you just feel way better and that actually can't help but just translate into your life.
, So yeah, those are some of the things,
Zanita Fletcher: some of Anna's hacks, um, life's, uh, mental fitness kind of statement. Is that also, does that also tie into like promoting exercise or is that just. Yeah,
Anna Lindbeck: I don't, I haven't really seen that as much as emphasizing community and village, but, I'm sure it's, it's definitely something that would bring up in that three year course, I'm sure.
I'm sure they would touch on it. [00:21:00] Yeah. , Yeah, for sure. Those, those are some good elements. Yeah.
Zanita Fletcher: Yeah. Awesome. , Bit of a random fun question. , What are some of the things that you are looking forward to the most on the ride and some of the things you're looking forward to the least on the ride?
Anna Lindbeck: Hmm.
Looking forward to the most is just seeing a amazing Australia, like at a very slow pace. Just really looking out at the countryside. Just taking it all in the deserts, the mountains, the coast. , Yeah, we have such an array of, of climates and it's, it's cool to see. So really excited for that. I'm excited for team bonding.
I love getting close to a new group of crew, like as we journey through this intense thing together. , I'm excited actually to learn and grow from that too because, I mean, already I think it's been the single most thing that has. Has grown me in terms of a group event. Like I've never been this far deep, this intensely invested and this, this much against so many personalities with so many things going on.
So it's been really good to grow and learn in even leadership, communication, lots of things like that. , And then I [00:22:00] think the thing I'm looking forward to the least is, man, if we crash, oh. Or I just, I just, or like, I just, will we survive? I dunno. Like, yeah, I mean, hopefully, I mean, there's all sorts of crashes, but, you know, you think of everyone always is like, oh, the road trains, like, and they do seem pretty crazy.
So honestly, just safety on the trip, , like car fumes sunburn. Potholes. Yeah, probably just some of those things. What is
Zanita Fletcher: a, um, what is a road train?
Anna Lindbeck: Ah, so road trains, they're like super long trucks. , And basically they take like a few minutes to actually get up to like 110, 120 ks, 130 ks an hour. And so they don't wanna slow down 'cause everything's like money for them 'cause they're often transporting stuff.
So if they have to slow down for you, they just often won't. They even have bull bars to just hit kangaroos and everything. Like just boom, boom, boom. Like, [00:23:00] so yeah, it's just super long, big. They're like a train on the road. Yeah, so we actually, we do have a bit of a strategy if people are interested in, in the intricacies of everything.
But we have this Garmin that will sit on the back and detect, detect cars. And the thing is, we will have a van most of the time, but there's a, there's like a 200 kilometer section on the Nullabor, which has really narrow shoulders, and you're not actually not allowed to have a van go that slow because the road trains will literally just crash into it.
Oh, wow. And so yeah, we have set up this garment and we've made the decision that once the it gets detected, we will get off the road and just brace and it will go past and then we'll get, get back on. So it's gonna be a slow day, but we'll spy, hopefully
Zanita Fletcher: slow down another off. So insane. Yeah. , Well for obviously, , our viewers are probably not gonna be embarking, , on a, is it 4,000?
4,000 kilometers. Thousand kilometers, yeah. 4,000 kilometers, , across [00:24:00] Australia. , But I'm sure this is, uh, a cause or a topic that many people are passionate about, for those who are not going on this ride, but. Wanna support or wanna better support the people around them? What are some of the things that they can do for people who are kind of like struggling in their lives?
Anna Lindbeck: Hmm. Yeah, I actually think we, we have a little slogan we developed called, , especially 'cause people are gonna be driving behind us and they'll see this slogan, it says, call your mates telling you love 'em. And it is just really simple, succinct, and I think we all have really busy life, but are busy lives.
But I think. Just take the time to notice the people around you and even just take the time to like, maybe make that one phone call a week, to, to a couple of your mates and really check in like authentically. , Especially, and, and especially those that you, you know, may have noticed, have had a. A tough time lately, or you know, might be struggling or in a darker [00:25:00] place, like let's actually have their back, have them over for dinner, like bring back community.
And maybe because we are so busy and organized and all this, maybe you just make it a night, a week, Tuesday nights. Not gonna book other things in. And that's gonna be my Tuesday check-in night. Like, you know, I'm gonna call, call my mates and, and tell 'em I love 'em. Or if you have a half an hour drive to work, rather than putting on a podcast of music every time, why not just think, oh, on Tuesdays I'm just gonna ring someone like, , and have that check-in.
And yeah, you could be super surprised about the difference that makes in their life.
Zanita Fletcher: Yep. Love it. That's awesome. Well, for those who, , wanna. Join, not join the ride. Maybe you need to back up people if you have an accident, but those who wanna walk along on the ride or learn more, where should they go?
Awesome.
Anna Lindbeck: Yeah, so you can follow Ride for Life Australia basically. Anyway, so that's a number four Ride for Life Australia. So yeah, you'll find us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook. We're gonna do like a bit of a YouTube short series as well when we're actually on the ride. , [00:26:00] But yeah, that would be incredible.
And, and there's links there to how to donate, , if you believe in the cause. Yeah, if you, if you have the capacity to support, but even just following along, commenting, laughing along with us, really it does fill us with joy. So please, please
Zanita Fletcher: do that. Giving some daily encouragement. Yes. , I don't know if we've mentioned this, but this is gonna be a world record if you Yes.
Get the other side. Is that right? Yes. If all four of us ride every day to the other side, we're on. We're on. Awesome. Well that's exciting. , We're our first superstar on the show,
Anna Lindbeck: right? Yeah, look, I'm excited too. It's funny 'cause Louise has four sons and they've been trying their whole life to get a world record.
Now Louise is like, I guess I'll have to get it first. Kids amazing.
Zanita Fletcher: We're pretty stoked. I love. Alright, well we'll let you go. , I'm sure you've got some kilometers to do for your. Daily target. , But thank you so much for coming on the show. It's been great to Yeah, learn about what you're [00:27:00] doing,, and we wish you all the best for your six feet ride, and hopefully we'll hear from you at the end of it.
Anna Lindbeck: Awesome. Thanks Zanita. Thanks so much for having me. Everyone. Have a good life. Stay safe and ride your bike.