Mental health researcher.
Adventurer.
Philanthropist.
Author.
Keynote Speaker.
TEDx talk
"Lessons on Happiness from Depression's Ground-Zero"
Jon Nabbs, TEDxRuakura
2020
www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_nabbs_lessons_on_happiness_from_depression_s_ground_zero
Observations and lessons from Jon's 3-year long study on mental fitness and wellness tools within his home country, New Zealand - where incidences of depression and suicide in young people have been among the highest in the OECD in recent years. Drawing on insights from 20 young New Zealanders - which are detailed in the book Nabbs co-produced with Olympic athlete Eve Macfarlane - the talk explores various approaches being used to help build and maintain wellness after experiences with depression, and offers a hopeful outlook for the future
Documentary
Solo run across Canada without support vehicle
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Race Be Run (2026)
Prabhjit Sabharwal & Richard Carey.
5 Yard Productions, 2026
Profiles Jonathan (Jon) Nabbs as he runs 7,351Km across the breadth of Canada without a support vehicle, encountering -50°C weather, bears, wildfires, and an avalanche in the Rocky Mountains. Directed by Richard Carey and Prabhjit Sabharwal, the 15-minute film has the following festival results:
- Winner: Best Short Documentary
New Zealand Independant Film Festival
- Special Mention: NZ Short Documentary
DocEdge Film Festival
- Fnalist: NZ-made film
New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival.
Fundraising & child cancer research support
The Dom Harvey Podcast, New Zealand
April, 2024
Jon discussing his fundraising efforts and run across Canada on the Dom Harvey Podcast.
Global News Mornings, Vancouver
Friday, March 8th, 2024
Jon discussing his advocacy and support for paediatric oncology research with Global News Mornings team in Vancouver.
ONE Sports News, NZ
January, 2024
Hayley Holt covered Jon's run across Canada on ONE News when Jon was in Alberta, with 1,400Km still to go.
Breakfast on One, Auckland
June, 2024
Jon discussing his 2,031Km long Guinness World Record attempt run up the length of New Zealand, fundraising efforts, and advocacy for paediatric oncology research, with Chris Chang on Breakfast on One morning show.
© Jonathan Nabbs, 2026