Stephan Wilson rides for 18 hours for girls in Bangladesh

Stephan Wilson had his breakthrough on television when he hosted the shows Lilla sportspegeln, Bolibompa and Lilla aktuell.

However, what really changed his life was the documentary series “Stephan på glid” – in which Wilson completed the Vasaloppet skiing despite having basically never stepped on skis.

– Throwing myself outside of my comfort zone gets my teeth into it. It’s a bit like playing a video game when you do that. I get a kick out of it.

Since then, he has taken on challenges — partly because he wants to feel better, but also because he wants to help others.

Given on Monday He appeared on the streets of Stockholm. Then he will ride his bike for 18 hours with the goal of raising money for girls in Bangladesh.

– All other girls get married before they turn 18.

– I thought if I rode my bike for 18 hours, I might be able to shed some light on this. I was out on my bike while people were sitting and drinking their morning coffee, and I was out while they were having dinner. That’s how the idea was born, to do something crazy enough to spark discussion, Wilson said. Wilson is running the challenge in conjunction with the United Nations’ International Bicycle Day.

A bicycle is a status symbol that can change lives. When a girl learns to ride a bicycle, her chances of going to school increase.

– Actually, very specifically, 20 kroner is equivalent to the cost of one cycling lesson for a girl in Bangladesh. After ten lessons, the girl is generally able to ride a bicycle.

– When they ride bicycles, it is a safer mode of transportation. They get an education and gain better self-confidence. Then the risk of them ending up in child marriage is much lower.

He will Starting at 4am and not stopping riding until 10pm, people will be able to follow him on social media and send money.

“I have a tight schedule and I might be a little tired. The first thing I have to do in the morning is to talk to the girls from Bangladesh,” he said.

As if 18 hours of rolling around the streets of Stockholm wasn’t enough, he will also be interviewed on an exercise bike in the radio studio and do spinning sessions in a gym in Östermalm.

The goal is Raising 20,000 SEK will give 100 girls the chance to learn to ride a bike. This goal motivates him, but he won’t back down because it will be a real challenge.

– I’m still not good at anything. I’m not a very fast skier or a very strong cyclist, but I don’t give up easily. That’s probably my strength.

What makes you so mentally strong?

– As a little boy I didn’t have an easy life. I had a hard time at school and at home. Things changed when I took part in the Vasaloppet Ski Race and I started to enjoy training.

– I couldn’t ride much faster than I could. Then the mental training became easier and I became really strong.

He kept training no matter the weather and learned to love the pain. Something three-time Vasalop champion Daniel Tennell taught him.

– People sometimes say that television is pretend, but for me, the first ski series “Stephan på glid” was anything but pretend. It was my life, says Wilson.

When DN speaks He goes for walks with him. To prepare for the 18-hour cycle, he tries to exercise constantly.

He wanted to change the living conditions of girls in Bangladesh – but his own life had already changed. Health became his concern and his goal.

He has yet to complete his last big challenge – the top of his “bucket list” which he won’t reveal yet.

– He said, I am living proof that you can change your lifestyle as an adult.