"I challenge every single one of you, no matter what field you guys are in - no matter what career you guys have, every single person can use where they are as a platform to affect the people around you. Be it mental health, be it the outdoors, you know, promoting the outdoors, be it cancer. There are so many ways you can help others and I think that every single person has the opportunity to do that." - Cody Wiktorski According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide. There were an estimated 1,300,000 suicide attempts. How do we change this? By telling every single person's story. Every individual has a story that needs to be told. Cody Wiktorski's Story: On this episode, we have the one and only Cody Wiktorski. Cody comes from a large family with 5 brothers and a sister and has embraced the meaning of family. A year and a half ago, Cody lost his younger brother, Casey, to suicide. Looking for a place to get away and think clearly, Cody went to the mountains. He found the Adirondacks a place where he could reconnect with the values and direction with which he was intending to lead his life. In the process, he learned of the power that mountains have to be a gateway into positive mental and physical health. He also discovered them as an avenue for mental health awareness. After the passing of Cody's younger brother, Casey, he and his brother Colby started an organization called Wik Brothers that is all about mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This episode is all about the connection between mountains and mental health and the immense power they have to connect us with what truly matters. Cody and I talk about: How mountain experiences and culture encourage community, mental clarity, and a place to open up and truly connect with others. The passing of Cody's younger brother, Casey, and the start of and mission behind Wik Brothers . Raising awareness for mental health through organizations and movements including 46 Climbs and Cont;nue. The importance of telling every single person's story. How YOU can set yourself up for positive mental health and make a difference in someone else's life. Reach out, take action and connect: Wik Brothers: Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wikbrothers/ Website: https://www.wikbrothers.com/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 available 24/7 46 Climbs: Website: http://46climbs.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/46Climbs/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/46climbs/ To Summit Up: Email: [email protected] Website: https://tosummitup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tosummitup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToSummitUp/ If you enjoyed... If you enjoyed this episode, I ask that you consider leaving a review on iTunes. You will have the chance to be shouted out on a Friday episode as the fan of the week! Additionally, if you’d like to support the podcast and get access to exclusive content and posts, check out https://www.patreon.com/tosummitup. Your support, whether in the form of a review or donation, will allow me to continue to build To Summit Up and to create content that you can find inspiration from. To Summit Up Theme Song by Jordan Wolf. https://www.instagram.com/jwolfy3/   Cody Wiktorski