How E.ON and elite athletes conquered the Peak District — and mountains of the mind — for World Mental Health Day 2025

In a world that often feels like it’s teetering on the edge – from global crises to the constant buzz of bad news – this year’s World Mental Health Day called for calm amid the chaos.

Under the theme ‘Access to services: Mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’, the 2025 campaign set out to show how we can all find strength and balance in what has been dubbed the ‘Age of Overwhelm’.

To mark the day, which fell on Friday, October 10th, E.ON and E.ON Next Veloce Racing gathered a group of elite athletes to take on a challenge not measured in speed, but in stillness.

They took on a 12km climb up Mam Tor, the ‘Shivering Mountain’ of the Peak District, sharing their stories of pressure, perseverance and the power of taking things one step at a time.

A mindful ascent for modern minds

Leading the way was Kevin Hansen, 27, pictured above, far left, the professional rallycross driver and star of E.ON Next Veloce Racing.

Known for his high-octane lifestyle, Kevin traded the roar of engines for the quiet hum of the hills – and was joined by fellow athletes Heather Cowell, 29, Olympic rugby sevens player, Archie Atkinson, 21, the Paralympic cyclist and 37-year-old international netball champion and head coach of Nottingham Forest Netball, Chelsea Pitman. 

“This wasn’t about lap times or competition,” Kevin said, taking a moment to look back at the winding path below, which was captured in E.ON’s film of the climb.

He added: “As a professional racing driver from a young age, I know all too well the pressure and intensity that comes with high-performance sports.

“In an effort to switch off and spend time in the great outdoors, we took on the Peaks – but with no competitions, only a few unexpected turns, because when a bunch of elite athletes head into the wild, something is bound to go off-script.”

The climb, affectionately dubbed a “mindful walk” by the athletes along the way, turned out to be about reflection, not rivalry.

Even without a finish line the spirit of competition surfaced playfully – with the group joking about who would “win” the walk by reaching the summit first.

Finding balance through openness

For Kevin, the experience marked another chapter in his mental health journey.

He previously worked with E.ON on its 2024 World Mental Health Day campaign, where he spoke candidly about mindfulness and the importance of psychological coaching in motorsport.

Kevin said during the Peak District challenge: “The biggest thing to overcome in my sport was my own thoughts constantly coming in.

“I was thinking, ‘I need to win and get a good result,’ but I wasn’t thinking about how to actually do that. After breaking a vertebra in 2022, I worked with a new coach to build the tools I needed to be my best-performing self – and that really changed everything.”

Now, Kevin views stress differently.

He added: “Making friends with stress or anxiety is a positive – they’re always going to come back. Accepting what’s going on is key to being able to move on.”

Athletes, honesty and the art of resilience

The walk was peppered with laughter and small challenges – from navigating rocky paths to convincing teammates to make animal noises.

But what stood out most were the moments of vulnerability shared among athletes whose careers depend on composure under pressure.

Archie Atkinson, who won silver at the 2024 Paralympic Games and is pictured above with Kevin, reflected on life as a cyclist with cerebral palsy, ADHD and autism.

“You have to focus on the process rather than the outcome,” he said. “I put the most pressure on myself. You have to embrace the pressure and use it to your advantage. It’s a very thin red line between what’s sensible and what’s too far. The adrenaline, the danger of cycling – I like it. And knowing you’ve done your best, that’s what I love.”

Chelsea Pitman, pictured third from left above, who led England’s netball team to a historic Commonwealth gold in 2018, spoke about learning to lead off the court.

“The role is so challenging,” she said. “But I’m extremely honest in that I don’t know everything. I know the game of netball inside out, but I’m still figuring out my philosophies as a coach. I’m a big believer that whatever is scary is probably the right thing to do – because that’s where growth happens.”

And Heather Cowell, far right above – a former gymnast turned Olympic rugby player – described her own journey of losing and rediscovering confidence.

She admitted: “At one point, I completely lost my confidence. But taking a break made all the difference. Addressing our mental health is really important, but processing time is key too.”

Step by step, towards stronger minds

As the group reached the summit – “the top of the top of the top” as the group put it – they took a moment not to celebrate victory, but to breathe.

“It’s a mindful walk,” Hansen said. “You have to watch for rocks, but you also get to reflect.”

The day reflected the broader message of 2025’s World Mental Health Day – that in an era of constant crisis and information overload, it’s vital to find grounding, to rest and to talk.

E.ON is also proud to have partnered with Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, since 2022 – and we have now extended our collaboration until the end of 2026.

Our joint efforts include fundraising events such as marathons and bake sales, as well as awareness campaigns to promote mental health understanding.

There are also employee wellbeing initiatives through our ‘Wellbeing Warriors’ and ‘Time to Talk’ sessions.

E.ON’s commitment to mental energy

E.ON’s ongoing partnership with athletes and the Veloce Racing champions highlight both sustainability and human resilience – and show mental energy is as essential as renewable energy.

Through initiatives like this, E.ON aims to inspire open, practical conversations around wellbeing at work – and beyond.