One foot in front of the other From the Harbour to the Mountains

Day 3

Day 3 — One Step at a Time

Oh boy… Day 3 was a massive challenge.

I was so happy that I finally had a sleep-in, but of course my body had other plans. I kept waking up at stupid times throughout the night and by the morning I was basically running on no sleep. My left hip was completely locked up, my knees were sore and I just couldn’t get comfortable. At this point, the bed felt like a cloud, and I really didn’t want to leave it.

Eventually I got myself up, hobbling my way into the kitchen where I said good morning to my aunty. We had a beautiful breakfast together — oats, banana, LSA and honey — which was honestly delicious. I just couldn’t fully enjoy it because I felt so locked up and beat up from the days before.

My aunty got the foam roller and massage ball out for me and oh wow… what a difference that made. I went from hobbling around to actually being able to walk properly again. I felt so much better.

We started at 10:30am from the bottom of Blaxland Hill near the 7-Eleven and headed up through the Knapsack Stairs. I really had to push myself getting up those stairs. It was hard work, but I did it.

By this point, I felt completely beat up — not only physically, but mentally too. Picking myself up and telling myself to just keep going was becoming its own challenge.

I had a light jacket on to protect my sunburn, along with plenty of sunscreen, although I’m not sure how much that jacket was actually helping. My goal was to make it to 2773 Cafe in Glenbrook, one of my amazing sponsors, and see my boyfriend Tom and his beautiful mum Louise. I just wanted to sit down, have a coffee and see two people who made me feel safe and comforted.

The hills through Glenbrook were CRAZY.

I kept thinking, I really can’t do this.

But as I kept walking, I thought about every person who had told me I couldn’t do this, or doubted that I would make it. Somehow, those thoughts became fuel. With every step up those hills, I felt more powerful.

When I was about 500 metres away, I was desperate to see Tom and Louise. I really needed that comfort.

Then we reached 2773 and I saw them straight away.

I walked straight over to them, sat down and started blowing kisses and giving them air hugs. Just seeing them completely refreshed me. We had good chats, good food and a coffee before setting off again.

Next stop: Blaxland.

It was all worth it. Every sore muscle, every hill, every difficult moment — it was all for the people who need support the most. And getting to see Tom and Louise made my day.

As we continued walking, I was holding back tears while Tom talked to me. Having him beside me helped me centre myself while my aunty and Louise walked ahead.

It was insanely hot.

I started falling further and further behind and I was getting hotter, more tired and more frustrated. I just kept pushing.

Our next stop was Blaxland Station, where I was meeting another aunty and my grandfather.

When I saw my grandfather, I ran straight to him and gave him the tightest cuddle, with tears pouring down my face.

He held me tight and said, “It’s okay.”

I held him even tighter and said, “Jeido, this is hard.”

He looked at me, wiped my face and said, “Remember, you’ve done so well. We’re all proud of you. And you don’t have to finish today.”

I nodded, said hello to my other aunty and tried to pull myself back together.

My aunty poured cold water over my head, which honestly helped calm me down both emotionally and physically.

We said goodbye to my grandfather and aunty and kept walking.

By this point, the temperature had started to drop. I stayed behind everyone for a little while, taking everything in and having some time with my thoughts.

Then the clouds came.

There wasn’t a single ray of sun in the sky, and it felt AMAZING.

My energy suddenly came flying back and I felt like myself again.

Then it started to rain lightly.

Honestly, it was incredible for my sunburn. I took my jacket off and just enjoyed the cool rain.

But then the rain got heavier.

One by one, all of our phones went into bags as we realised this wasn’t stopping anytime soon. Suddenly we were walking through torrential rain, lightning and then… hail?!

It was such a weird experience, but somehow it was so much fun.

I found myself running through the puddles and laughing. We were all completely soaked, but there was something so freeing about it. We just embraced it.

The rain continued all the way to Springwood and by the time we got there, we were absolutely saturated.

We stopped for a coffee to warm up and hoped the rain would back off — and thankfully, it did.

We were in the final stretch.

Faulconbridge was almost there.

As we left Springwood, my heart skipped a beat.

I started recognising everything around me. The places I had grown up around as a little girl. The parks I played in. The shops I went to. The streets I loved.

It all came flooding back.

Then, in the distance, I saw the Faulconbridge sign.

My aunty and I ran across the road to take a photo with it before running back.

Not long to go now.

The finish line was at my grandparents’ place.

In the distance, I saw my grandfather’s car and heard him beeping loudly and yelling, “GO JESSICA!”

Not long after, my grandmother came down from the top of their street and walked with me. That’s where I met my cousin Harry and Aunty Lucy.

I ran straight to Aunty Lucy and flung my arms around her.

Harry and I then ran down the street together.

In the distance, I could hear my family yelling for me, with Harry by my side.

Then I saw my grandfather.

I ran straight into his arms at the finish line.

After that, I walked back so I could cross the finish line properly with everyone else.

Tom picked me up, spun me around and kissed me. Then, hand in hand, we walked together towards the finish line.

And then it was over.

I was overwhelmed.

There were phones out everywhere, people cheering, everyone I loved surrounding me, and this huge what did I just do? feeling.

It was hard to digest.

I was almost in shock that it had actually finished.

But I did it.

That is my main message.

No matter what challenges we face in life — big or small — we can overcome them.

Some days will be harder than others. Some days you might feel like you can’t take another step.

But you don’t have to do everything at once.

Just take one step.

Then another.

And another.

Because with one foot in front of the other, anything is possible.

And there’s my journey.

27.5km on Day 1.
35km on Day 2.
26km on Day 3.

88.5km in total.

Three days of sore legs, tired bodies, tears, laughter, rain, hills, beautiful people, and so many moments where I questioned whether I could keep going.

But I did.

One foot in front of the other.

For everyone who has ever felt alone, for everyone who has needed someone to listen, and for everyone who needs support.

You are not alone.

Some days are hard. Some days you might feel like you can’t take another step. But you don’t have to see the whole journey ahead of you.

Just take the next step.

And then the next.

Because with one foot in front of the other, anything is possible.

And if you’re struggling, please don’t face it alone. Reach out to someone you trust, speak to a professional, or contact a support service. You deserve to be heard.

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Emergency: If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent help, call 000.

You are not alone. There is always someone you can reach out to.

Day 2

Day 2 — Parramatta to Blaxland | 35km

Day 2.

I started walking at 6:30am from Parramatta, with my dad beside me. We spent the morning just walking and talking, which made the kilometres feel a little easier.

Our first stop was Bunnings, around the Prospect area. I actually felt pretty good when we got there and wanted to keep going, but Dad insisted I take a breather. While I was there, I met some beautiful people who were cheering me on, passing my posters around and getting behind what I was doing. When we left, I was snacking on Red Frogs and suddenly donations started rolling in from the Bunnings workers. It was such a lovely surprise and gave me another little boost.

We kept going and stopped again at 7-Eleven just before Minchinbury. By then, the sun was absolutely beating down on me. I was still wearing tights and was basically relying on the coolness of the singlet I was wearing to survive. Dad and I had a good break before getting back on the road.

We then reached the fruit shop where I met my grandfather. He had brought me food to keep me going, some Arabic treats and, very importantly, sunscreen. I remember telling Dad that I wanted to do this next part on my own, and he let me go.

From Minchinbury to Blaxland… here we go.

I put my AirPods in, blasted my music and just walked.

Before I knew it, I was in St Marys. I genuinely thought I was still in Mount Druitt hahah. The kilometres were starting to blur together.

I messaged my psychologist’s wife, Manori, to let her know I was on my walk and said I hoped I might see Nav along the way. He was free, so I kept walking towards Kingswood.

And oh boy… by then I was RED.

The heat, the stillness, the hills and the distance were starting to catch up with me. My feet were stinging, my legs were sore and I was completely drenched in sweat. But I was determined to see the man who had helped shape me over the last four years.

Then I got two notifications.

One from Manori telling me how proud she was of me and that Nav would love to see me.

And one from Nav himself:

“See you soon!” with a big grinning emoji.

That honestly kept me going.

As I climbed the last little hill towards his office, I could see it from a distance. I picked up the pace because I knew I was so close.

And then I was there.

I pushed the door open and immediately felt the coolness of the air conditioning. I basically plonked myself onto the lounge. Nav came running out laughing and waving, then asked if I wanted some water.

“Yes please.”

Before I could even say please, he was already running towards the fridge hahah.

He came back with an ice-cold bottle of water and told me he had put it in the freezer especially for me.

My heart melted.

His excitement honestly made my day. I think by that point I had lost a little bit of my spark, and seeing such a familiar and safe face gave me a bit of it back.

He made a little video with me for his social media, which I really appreciated, and we had a little chat before I headed back out. He asked if I needed anything else, and then, just like that, I was back on the road.

Red. Sweaty. Sore. Stinging feet.

But still going.

I walked through to Penrith and crossed over the Nepean River to Laughing Boy, one of my sponsors. They had a fresh juice waiting for me, were incredibly lovely and had even put out flyers to help spread the word about my walk.

That juice did not last long.

I skulled that, along with every other liquid I had on me — Gatorade, water, anything I could get my hands on.

Eventually I came around the corner towards Blaxland and reached the bottom of the hill.

And honestly, I didn’t think I could keep going.

I was exhausted. I was hurting. I was so hot and completely over it.

So I started talking myself through it.

Why am I doing this?

Who is this for?

Why is this important?

I called Tom, and I was almost breaking down on the phone trying to make it to my final point for the day. He kept encouraging me, reminding me how much he loved me and telling me that he’d see me the next day for the final day.

That 20-minute phone call gave me what I needed.

I had it in me again.

So I kept walking.

Eventually I reached the 7-Eleven, where my beautiful mum was waiting for me at the Day 2 finish line. She was taking photos and videos, and when I saw her I was so emotional. I held back tears as I hugged her.

She was so impressed with what I had managed to cover in just two days.

I got into the car and Mum had a slushie waiting for me while she blasted the air conditioning. At that point, it was honestly heaven.

Mum, Dad and I then drove to my aunty and uncle’s house just up the road.

I had never been so sunburnt in my life.

Even the seatbelt touching my skin hurt.

We pulled up and I practically ran into their backyard. I took off my watch, socks and shoes and jumped straight into their pool.

Fully clothed.

I have never been so shocked by how cold a pool could feel in the middle of the hot Aussie heat.

It was the best ice bath I could have asked for.

Although… I don’t think I got out fast enough.

Day 2 was by far one of the hardest days of the walk.

35 kilometres.

My body was exhausted, my feet were stinging, my skin was burning and there were moments where I genuinely didn’t know if I could take another step.

But I did.

Because every time I asked myself why I was doing this, I came back to the same answer.

It mattered.

And tomorrow was the final day.

Day 1

Day 1

Opera House Steps to Parramatta

Today was actually quite good. 

Starting this walk from the steps of the Sydney Opera House felt incredibly special. This is where my dad started his own fundraiser back in 2001, riding his bike from those very steps all the way to Uluru to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, after my Uncle David passed away from leukaemia at just 9 years old.

Standing in that exact spot today, starting my own journey where his began, felt like a step back in time. But more than anything, it was an honour to have both of my heroes by my side. Dad on one side and my handsome boyfriend Tom on the other. 

I definitely had my challenges today. I found myself trying to push too hard and wanting to do more than I had originally planned. I had to remind myself to slow down, stop and sniff the roses, and remember why I’m actually doing this in the first place.

Between the sore thighs, tingly feet and the clouds giving me some much-needed protection from the sun, I somehow got to where I needed to be.

I had good tunes, good snacks and two people beside me who made those first five hours that little bit easier.

But eventually, I had to face the rest of the journey on my own.

I’ve never felt so exhausted, but I’m proud of myself for getting through Day 1.

And this is just the beginning.

One foot in front of the other. ❤️