We all share different walks through life. 

But the toughest walks are often those that are suffered in silence, and alone. We believe one of the most powerful ways to help fellow humans in this world is to raise awareness and compassion that has can transcend through a community. And that’s we tried to achieve not only as mates, but as a gym family. We wanted to help those that struggle with depression, mental health and the day to day struggles of life that even the strongest suffer from.

On March 26, 2022—Ty, Mick, Ayman and Justin set out for a 100km walk to raise money for Lifeline WA. There were two conditions for the walk: It had to be completed within 24 hours, and to never give in—no matter how often the voices told us to quit. We wanted to put ourselves through the harrowing challenge because, as Mick said: “I’m only battling for 24 hours. There are others battling every day”.

After completing a 50km walk in 2021 for Lifeline WA and raising $8,515, it was an opportunity to multiply awareness in 2022 and push ourselves even further outside our capabilities. This year, we had shirts printed up to communicate to others on our journey that it’s not weak to speak.

We started our walk at 8pm from Woodman Point in Fremantle. Spirits were high as we made our way up the coast and moved inland towards Perth City. We prepared for what we could control, but around 11:30pm what we didn’t expect was an infestation of mosquitoes attacking us 25km into the walk. As they bit us head to toe, we kept pushing beyond the quarter mark. Our amazing gym members created a Facebook group to keep us going with motivational words and jokes to keep the mood light (and we needed it!). We sent video updates and pictures in the group chat, using it as our own tool to communicate how we were mentally and physically feeling.

The kind of support we had proved invaluable as we reached the halfway point. 50km in, we were hoping for the sun to rise, but were met with treacherous rain and powerful winds. Around 6:30am, we all started to feel the blisters on our feet grow. As the rain kept coming, the chafing got worse. Only halfway through and in excruciating pain, it was at that point we began to question: What’s the point? Why are we doing this?

Making our way through the city, gym member Jennie met us as she walked with us for 25km, providing some much needed encouragement along the way. We found our second wind, but that would only last for so long. It was around the 75km mark, the lack of sleep and unbearable pain caught up with us. We had significantly slowed down, barely limping along the coast as Ty separated from the group. Ayman, Justin and Mick were further back, taking one of their last breaks. Ty needed to keep moving. If he stopped, he wouldn’t of been able to continue. Even though we had spread apart, our objective was to finish within the walk within the 24 hours.

The four of us met back up again at Whitford’s Ave in what would be the last leg. Our energy levels were severely depleted and were facing our own individual battles as we continued on. We all agreed to skip our last scheduled break so we could still make it within the 24 hour time frame. Ty’s mum Nadia and friend Adam (on his birthday), joined us on Hepburn Ave for the last 8km. We seperated again, but it was at that moment each of us answered the questions we asked ourselves halfway through the walk: Why were we doing this? We were doing it for those that feel they’re facing problems alone. We were doing it for those who suffer from depression and continue to suffer in silence. We wanted to make a difference.

Life brings us many realisations, and quite often, those realisations occur during the toughest moments of our lives. Struggling along Hepburn Ave in the final dash to the finish line, an elderly lady walked past. She noticed Ty’s shirt and after a discussion about what the cause was for, she said, “I was nearly going to call LifeLine WA yesterday. My brother recently passed and i just finished arranging his funeral today. I’m not suicidal, but i just wanted someone to talk to—but didn’t want to waste their time.”

He continued to say, “Please don’t think you can’t call them.” She looked at him with a smile and said “Thank you. I’ll call them when I get home.”

The four of us finished the walk all within 10 minutes of each other and half an hour to spare. We agreed this was the most mentally and physically challenging experience we have ever put ourselves through, completing the walk within 24 hours. We are so incredibly grateful to all of our members, friends and family for rallying together and bringing awareness to a cause so close to our hearts. We were able to raise $15,885 this year for Lifeline WA. Almost doubling our 2021 efforts of $8,515.

For those who feel they can’t talk to anyone—just pick up the phone. One call can not only make your day a lot better, but can save a life

• LifeLine WA 13 11 14
• Text LifeLine WA 0477 13 11 14
• Chat with them online at lifeline.org.au