Hillcrest High School alumni and former Head Girl, Helene Barron, recently shared her powerful story on The Dom Harvey Podcast episode titled “From Tarawera Ultra to Tongue Cancer.”
Her journey is one of determination, perspective, and resilience, moving from elite endurance sport to facing a life-changing health diagnosis.
Helene’s story begins in the world of ultra-running, where she had set herself the challenge of competing in events such as the Tarawera Ultra Marathon. Like many high achievers, she thrived on pushing limits, setting goals, and testing herself physically and mentally.
However, her trajectory shifted dramatically when she was diagnosed with tongue cancer, an unexpected and confronting moment that forced her to pause and reassess everything.
What stands out most in Helene’s story is not just the challenge itself, but the way she approached it. She speaks openly about the shock of diagnosis, the difficulty of treatment, and the emotional toll of navigating uncertainty. Yet throughout, there is a clear thread of resilience and perspective.
Helene reflects on how her mindset, developed through endurance sport, helped her face adversity. The discipline, mental toughness, and ability to keep moving forward, even when things feel overwhelming, became critical tools in her recovery journey.
Her story also highlights a powerful shift in perspective. Where once performance and achievement were central, her focus evolved towards gratitude, health, and the importance of connection with others.
For our Hillcrest community, Helene’s journey is a reminder that success is not only measured in achievements, but in how we respond when life presents unexpected challenges. Her courage, openness, and determination reflect the values we strive to nurture in our students, resilience, empathy, and strength of character.
We are incredibly proud of Helene and the way she continues to share her story to inspire others.
