Deon Barrett: From Lost to Latitude – Finding True North Through Adversity & Adventure

You’re 11 years old. Your school uniform is torn. You’ve just been thrown in a bin. Again. Your mother finds you trying to take your own life with a school tie. That’s where Deon Barrett’s story begins—not on a mountaintop, but in a moment most wouldn’t survive. And yet, somehow, he did.

From the streets of London to military exercises in Nordic snowfields, Deon’s life has been shaped by pain, perseverance, and purpose. Today, he runs the True North Project, a youth initiative aiming to give kids the kind of outdoor education—and hope—he never had. He’s training for Everest, planning to ski solo to the South Pole, and challenging educational policy across the UK.

But this episode isn’t about hero worship. It’s about what’s possible when you take everything you thought defined you—rage, abandonment, failure—and use it to chart a new course. A true north. It’s a conversation about adventure as salvation, and about the quiet, gritty courage it takes to keep going when the world has already written you off.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the outdoors can truly change a life—this story is your answer.

Watch The Episode With Deon Barrett

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Listen To The Episode With Deon Barrett

Key Episode Takeaways

• True North isn’t a direction—it’s a decision – Deon’s military navigation training inspired the name of his youth initiative.
• The outdoors heals – From trauma to transformation, nature became Deon’s way out of a life spiraling into crime and despair.
• Not every education fits a classroom – His initiative aims to embed outdoor learning into the UK school curriculum.
• Visibility inspires possibility – As a Black British adventurer, Deon is working to increase diversity in the outdoors—by being seen.

Memorable Quotes

• “I didn’t want to be this person I was becoming.” – On reaching a breaking point before turning to the military.
• “The True North Project was born the day I learned how to read a map.” – On military training lighting the spark of purpose.
• “It’s not about being the first Black man on Everest. It’s about showing kids like me what’s possible.” – On the real reason behind his Everest goal.

Facts

• Deon served 8 years in the British Army – Training in Nordic skiing, navigation, and field survival.
• He aims to become the first Black Englishman to summit Everest – And to solo ski to the South Pole in the same year.
• His youth petition aims to integrate outdoor education into the UK curriculum – With pilot programs already launched in state schools.

Ideas

• Use theory–practice loops in schools – Teach geography, science, and mental resilience through outdoor immersion, not just books.
• Create partnerships between private and state schools – One extra space on a mountain trip can change a life.
• Start with one afternoon outdoors – If a child in your circle is struggling, don’t underestimate the power of nature as therapy.

Call to Adventure

Support Deon’s petition to integrate outdoor education into the national curriculum. If you believe the outdoors can change lives, sign and share when it relaunches. Visit True North Project to get involved.

Pay It Forward

Deon’s Recommended Cause: Support youth access to nature. Whether through donations, volunteer time, or simply sharing the message, help a young person experience the outdoors. Start with your local school—or True North Project.

References & Recommendations

• True North Project – Deon’s official website and hub for youth advocacy
• Mount Everest – World’s highest peak and key expedition goal
• South Pole – Target location for Deon’s 2026 solo expedition
• Black Girls Hike – Community leading diversity in UK outdoor spaces

Before You Go

If this episode moved you, please share it with someone who needs a reminder that they can still choose their direction. Leave a review. Tell a friend. Or better yet—take someone outside and talk about it.