47-year-old marine veteran Damian 'Obi' Todd to roll 24 hours straight in support of R U OK? 

No stranger to battle, marine vet and jiu-jitsu athlete Damian “Obi” Todd will set out to roll for 24 hours straight to raise vital awareness and funds for R U OK?

Between the exhausting grappling sessions and media interviews leading up to the event, we got the chance to interview Obi and wanted to find out more about what drives the man on the mat.

You’re looking to break a world record. Which one are you smashing?

It’s actually establishing rather than breaking a current world record. I’ve heard of similar event types, but there is nothing registered against this ground-breaking type of activity.

I’ve realised this is for a good reason, most 5-minute rounds with a decent level BJJ jiujiteiro are exhausting enough – let alone for 24 hours.

What you’re attempting is an unbelievable effort, how are you prepping for it? Who’s been your biggest supporters so far?

The training has been extremely strenuous; however, I love the challenge and the community support has been unbelievable. I am rolling (grappling) for 13-18 hours a week, with weights and cardio sessions included as well. While following a strict ketogenic diet for the past 8 weeks I’ve lost 10kgs and in turned gained 2.5kgs of muscle (I finally have abs again)! It's quite literally a full-time activity. My own business has suffered as a result, but I simply want to do this and ensure that it is a success.

My biggest supporters have been my wife for sure, she's also working on this tirelessly and I guess next in line would be my coach and gym owner of the venue, Suasday Chau. If you want to learn BJJ, you need to train with us. We have a great little family here.

You’re a marine veteran and want to get people talking about their mental health. How are you using this event to get the conversation flowing?

As a Royal Marines Commando, you are exposed to the very best and worst of what humans are and can do. However, our journeys are exactly that, and therefore everyone has their own story. By opening up about my daily struggles, my hurt etc. I've found that this encourages people to step up and take that first step to say 'Hey, I'm struggling'. I have had these messages from all over the world. This is no longer a community event. This has gone global. When you have wrestling and BJJ clubs in Russia, the USA and Brazil doing events to raise money for your cause, you know things are getting out there. I am very proud of that.

Thanks for supporting R U OK? What made you want to roll for us?

In short, the organisation encourages people to use a simple conversation starter: “Are you OK?”. That's it and then offer options for people to seek for and get help. Nobody should die in vain or alone. Having been on the precipice of death a few times, I now give myself a reason to wake and live out the rest of my day. If that starts with a simple conversation, then so be it. R U OK? is just one way that we can ALL make a difference.

How can everyone support your efforts?

Like & follow the FB page and Instagram account under the name of 'The Force of Inspiration'... All updates go through there, and the event page on FB aptly named, 'roll around the clock'.

Donations are available through the RUOK everyday heroes page: https://ruokchallengeevent.everydayhero.com/au/roll-around-the-clock

But if people can share our content, giving people a reason why they should donate, this incites the emotional hook. We will ALL suffer at some point with some type of mental health issue. An R U OK? conversation may be the reason you live.

For tips and information on how to have the conversation head to www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask