In this episode of Minutes With, we speak to adventurer Darren Edwards who narrowly escaped death after a terrifying fall from a 200ft high cliff. The impact of the accident left Darren with life-changing injuries, aged just 26. Darren's inspirational story recounts the power of true friendship, the harrowing obstacles he overcame, and the impact of losing his father.
00:00 - 00:20 - Intro
00:20 - 02:50 - Taste for Adventure
02:50 - 04:11 - Friendship
04:11 - 06:58 - The Accident
06:58 - 08:07 - My Best Friend Saved My Life
08:07 - 09:24 - Rescue Mission
09:24 -10:08 - The Aftermath
10:08 - 11:36 - Unconditional Love
11:36 - 13:33 - New Life
13:33 - 14:40 - Lowest Point
14:40 - 17:40 - New Focus
17:40 - 20:45 - Kayak Challenge
20:45 - 21:54 - Losing Dad
21:54 - 22:49 - Message of Hope
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Thank you to Darren Edwards for taking part in this episode. Find out more about Darren's next adventure, the South Pole Challenge here: darrenedwardsspeaker.com/southpolechallenge/ or follow @Darrenedwards_adventurer on Instagram.
Lad Bibles ‘Minutes With’ is one of of favourite interview series. It’s doing incredible work sharing important stories and building community
Completely agree
As someone who has watched this series for a while, Darren is one of the strongest people I have ever seen. May his life continue to be prosperous and his best friend, Matt is genuinely amazing.
That’s how I lost my legs. Unfortunately I did die, but I was revived by EMTs upon their arrival. Taken to hospital, where I died again during surgery, revived once more, and then laid in a coma for two months of my life. Now I’m here and I still wonder how that happened. I have patches of missing memories. But my friends have left me behind and don’t want to interact since that night
Wow! I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. Fuck them, they're not true friends and you don't need them to achieve what you want in life. Remember, there is always someone out there who will stick by your side no matter what. DON'T GIVE UP WHATEVER YOU DO. Stay strong brother.
@@bendyboy2008 see, the way I see it, they don’t deserve me or my cool as hell wheelchair, lol. I really don’t intend to put time into people who don’t deserve it
Do you remember what you saw in your two NDE's and coma? Maybe you have a story to tell, and that could become one of your possible purposes now. Maybe you need to share your story. Wishing you love and a future with happiness from the dark. As they say it's the cracks that allow the light in. Imagine the possibilities there could be.
@@natalier2631 I don’t believe in purpose like that, and I don’t want to share more of my story. It’s got a lot to do with my medical history and it’s not for anybody to know but my doctor
@@natalier2631 Or... maybe just living is enough.
I’m a full-time wheelchair user and this episode had me tearing up. This is the representation we need to see more of - real disabled people sharing their stories, as opposed to able-bodied actors portraying us poorly. What an absolutely incredible guy.
I went to University with Darren - one of the strongest guys I remember (introduced me to sushi :D). Continue to inspire us Darren!
No ya didn’t
@@YaNansCrustyToebruh shut up
@@YaNansCrustyToe yep University of Westminster - 2010-2013. Yes ah did 🤣. He wanted to join the military at that time if I remember correctly. Long time ago though. 🫡
What a guy. As an icu nurse I’ve seen a lot, but his courage and determination is rare and super admirable
Strong fella... I wish you nothing but the best on your journey forward!
As a mountain climber, the fact that there is always potential for things to go that way (or worse) definitely plays on your mind at times. I've turned around in many situations I considered too dangerous, but I'm also very aware that most accidents happen in relatively safe situations, such as what happened to him.
Wow Darren, I am going through my own health journey and I’m going to implement a lot of what you’ve just said into my own quest for achievement. This has now been saved to watch when I’m having a bad day. Thank you very much for your insight into resilience, your attitude and achievements are amazing and a credit to yourself. Sorry to hear about your dad. Wishing you all the very best!
Wow Darren! What a truly amazing inspirational guy. If you read this by any chance, Thank you for sharing your story. You’re a breath of fresh air. All the best for your future. Big thank you to LADbible for bringing these incredible people to light. ❤
Incredible strength of character. Thanks for sharing your story Darren. Your positivity is inspiring
What a man, I'm wheelchair bound myself. I felt this one, big respect Darren ♥️
He is so nice. He has got an incredible strength of character. What a beautiful soul!!!! I wish you the best in life!!!!🤩🤩
What a wonderful young man you are. I live with anxiety and depression. Your journey has inspired me and while it won’t make the depression and anxiety go away it certainly will give me a reason to keep going on. Thank you. I’m very sorry for your loss.
What an inspiring, positive and motivational character Darren is. He is a very eloquent story teller also. She didn't deserve you 🥹
Despite the devastating tragedies of life he went through, I see a love story. The beautif of friendship, family the adventure of life. Such a charismatic man with an interesting life he's lived and he's still yet to live. What a powerful interview Darren!
Puts life everyday struggles in perspective. RIP to his dad.
The power of determination and friendship, inspiring
Matt sounds like a great friend. So far you’re happy today. Thank Matt for me. Were all glad you’re here
What a humble, graceful voice. There were no sentences starting with 'I think' or 'I am', sincere humility. So sorry to hear that your dad passed away. Wishing you much love as you travel ❤
You’re an absolute inspiration, Darren. Thank you for sharing your story.
God, Darren’s attitude and resilience is just incredible. Many years ago I was a carer for people with spinal cord injuries - as diverse humans, people react to their injury in many different ways, Darren is exceptional.
Such an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. We certainly need more people like yourself in this world.
Makes me so proud to see cheerfulness in the face of adversity and the support you had from the military. Hoofing effort mate.
Wonderfully articulate. Thank you for sharing. True love comes in many forms, it doesn't need to be romantic. Everyone needs a Matt or Darren in their life!
What a wonderful story I’ve listened too, well done!!❤️
thank you darren i have taken many lessons from every sentence you spoke and will implement your story into my attitude thank you for your story
Inspirational! Thanks for your story Darren.
What an inspiring guy. Your attitude is incredibly admirable. What a gorgeous set of friends you have around you ❤
What a story. A true inspiration.
Thanks for the uplifting message. My hope is that you continue to stretch the limits. My deal is procrastination and your message is a good kick in the pants.
Inspirational Darren. Ive taken some lessons you have unknowingly given in this video and will use in my life going forward. Thank you
He has a wedding ring on . I would like to hear the story behind. Good Luck Darren. Top Lad.x
Same I also noticed that! :)
Such an inspiring individual. Thank you for sharing your story!
Brilliant to see resilience like this, there really is no point being any other way, I’ve had a big health challenge and people have expressed surprise at my positivity, but it simply comes down to just pushing on and enjoying life, thanks for the uplifting story 👍👍
What a beautiful soul. His strength and story of such friendship and resilience is truly inspiring. The darkest parts of my life eventually led me to meeting my now partner and I wouldn't be without him for all the money in the world. He is my hope on my bad days.
What an incredible story, so very inspirational!
😮 my gosh what a brave and wonderful person he is . He has been through such a traumatic event and paralysed and he has turned it around and faught through and done something so taugh and challenging . Done way more than me and i dont have any physical challages 😮 gives me food for thought and maybe i need to take braver steps to go outside my comfort zone to achieve something more. I hope he is incredibly proud of himself, hes a wonderful person and a good man 🎉 im sorry for the loss of ur father and to anyone who is mentally struggling right now i hope u heal and wishing everyone happiness ❤
Thank you, thank you, thank you…what a wonderful story….as a previous climber…and also someone who has tried to take their own life, this has been an amazing story, what an inspiration ❤
All that fight and then to lose your father like that. My gosh. That's a lot of heart break for one person.
What an inspiring person, I wish you nothing but the best in life.
It is a message of hope, thank you!
What an amazing guy!
Wonderful story
What an awesome young man!
Inspiring story, Darren.
My best friend saved my life❤ Unlucky to lucky. Thank God I’m still here❤Dad😢
Thank u for ur strength
Big love from a Shropshire lad..... Inspiring story!
This was a tragedy, but it was an avoidable one. He says at the start that when the leader says "safe" it means that they're on "solid ground" - this is NOT the case. The top of a cliff is never safe without an attachment. UK trad climbing protocol is that the lead climber never unclips until both climbers are at the top and nobody needs to go near the edge again. When the leader says "safe" it means that they are clipped directly into the top anchor and so the person below no longer needs to belay them, IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY NO LONGER NEED TO BE ATTACHED TO ANYTHING, as this accident demonstrates.
What a wonderful guy.
What a guy 👏 inspirational
what a lovely bloke :)
Thank you for sharing your story Darren. You have probably heard this enough, but you truly are an inspiration. I have struggled with mental health all my life and thankfully don't want to stop at the moment. But hearing your story will be a lesson for when i feel differently in the future. I also had a fall and a back injury, i fractured t6, 7 and 8 in 2009, i was extremely lucky and have very few issues from it now, but i suddenly have a better sense of the opportunity i have despite it happening, and that the hole i often find myself in is worth climbing out of for a future. I wish you all the best in the future, never stop achieving and sharing your story. Thanks dude! To your ex, may all her bowel movements be pineapple shaped and the fleas of 1000 camels infest her hat. Big luv fella!
What a great guy 👊🏼
Top fella, real trooper. Wish you all the best mate
What an inspiration. Articulate and strong
Ah Darren you’re making me cry!
Your such an inspiration your doing amazing
How do people get so lucky to find friends who would risk their lives for each other? I know I am the type that would do that for a stranger even but that's just who I am.i care so much for others even strangers but people use me for that nature and kindness of mine.... his last message at the end really touched me because I'm struggling desperately to keep my head above the dark waters of depression and deep trauma and I need people to look towards and be inspired by. I want to figure out what my next step can be to get out of this depression and suicidal thoughts
A great role model.
Mr.Edwards, you are one of the strongest people on the planet. Most people would crumble in your posistion. never forget this :D
Similar thing happened to me while I was travelling in India. I broke my back, pelvis, hip, femur, ankle, knee, elbow, heel, ribs and some metatarsals. I can't remember a thing after the impact but it took my friends 5 hours to get me off the rocks to hospital and apparently I screaming my head off the whole time. I was in a wheelchair or on crutches for over 2 years and had 28 operations to put everything right. Incredibly I don't have too many long term injuries besides a slight difference in leg length due to my broken femur and pelvis. I am extremely lucky!
The golden rule of climbing is never ever ever take yourself off belay until you are clipped into something and safe. The top outs are often the most dangerous part of the climb.
What a man 🥹
Inspiring stuff
Imagine going through the worst time of your life and then having that reset and walked out on. Brutal. Hope life is kind to you mate
Wow Just wow!!
Stem cell treatments are advancing at light speed. It might be 15 years but I'd bet you'll walk again .
Someone who would think of their own happiness above your own physical and psychological well-being during a devastating injury isn’t a person deserving of love or respect.
J E E Z. What an absolute trooper
The breakup is so brutal but how could anyone blame her. Great guy, should have no problem finding the right one
I think she did the right thing. There's no easy way to do that and it's much better than just sticking around and starting to resent someone over time because people will think you're mean if you don't.
Personally, I wouldn’t be able to leave my long term partner if this or similar happened to him. Rather than missing the things you used to do together, learn how to do them or new things together and adapt. Glass half full, rather than half empty, in my opinion.
@@hannahrandall-lewis7201 I agree with you there but the guy in the video said he was only seeing his partner for 4 months.
@@hannahrandall-lewis7201 I'm completely wrong. He said "long term relationship". My bad. That is totally different. I agree with you.
If their relationship was strong enough she wouldn’t even have questioned staying. I say this from experience as my husband of almost 40 years was seriously injured in a car accident and we were only in our very early 20’s. We weren’t yet engaged or married but just assumed we would one day. We had been together for five years at that point and it was never a question that crossed my mind and I say that genuinely. We were lucky in that there was some partial recovery after some years, but we live with the physical and often the mental fallout of that accident pretty much every day of our lives. I believe it pushed us on to and two daughters, two son-in-laws, and one precious granddaughter later, I can’t Imagine it ever being any other way ❤
is it true I'm not defined by my darkest moments? it's left me with permanent mental disability and no one cares. No one genuinely cares. I've hit a mental point of no return that I can't break. No amount of love support good that I give to the world will change the fact that what happened to me is so awful that people will leave the second they hear about it.
I saw this guy in Whiplash
Mrs Clegane: "A mountain fell from me!"
COYI ⚒️
Crazy I thought for a sec he was American
Great interview but why is the writing so damned small?????
this cliff fall seems like an A-Hole.
third
First
Just cause he saved you after falling off a mountain doesn’t instantly make him your best friend, just saying.
Did you even watch the video
L Girlfriend
This made me cry- such a painfully beautiful story and message 🥹
That smile near the end shows us what hope can do :)
You’re really an embodiment of perseverance! Respect to you and to your friends and family..