13/07/2026
👋🏻 Meet Belle, one of our trek leaders. Belle leads our complimentary frontline worker mental health programs, supporting them in their Trek2Health journey to better mental and physical health.
Belle started with Trek2Health as a client – if you’re interested in joining a T2H program, follow this link: https://www.trek2health.org.au/6-week-frontline-program/
We had the chance to interview her and learn more about the great work she does. Read more below.
📌 How did you start with Trek2Health and what drew you to it?
I first joined Trek2Health through work. At the time I'd become pretty unfit after becoming a mum and then COVID hit, and I realised just how little movement I was doing. What really drew me to the program was the opportunity to work towards completing the K'gari Great Walk. I loved that it was broken up into four modules, so instead of feeling like I had to commit to a huge goal all at once, I could just focus on the next step.
As I worked towards K'gari, I found myself walking more outside of the organised sessions, which eventually turned into walk-running and then a genuine love of running. I signed up hoping to complete one hike. I never imagined it would change my life so much.
📌 What has been your T2H experience?
When I first started, I remember struggling to get up some of the hills on our training hikes… Trek2Health gave me the confidence to keep saying yes to challenges that once felt completely out of reach. Most recently, that included completing my first 50km trail ultramarathon in some pretty tough conditions.
One of the best parts of Trek2Health that I never expected was the friendships I made. I joined on my own without knowing anyone, but spending a year training together creates some really strong bonds that have lasted well beyond the program.
Now that I'm a trek leader, it's incredibly rewarding to watch new participants go through that same journey. Seeing someone arrive unsure of themselves in Module One and then finish Module Four with so much more confidence in their abilities reminds me exactly why I keep coming back. I get to relive my own journey through them, and that's a pretty special feeling.
📌 What's your favourite memory about Trek2Health?
Completing the K'gari Great Walk with three amazing women I became really close friends with through Trek2Health. Swimming in Lake McKenzie, walking through the Valley of the Giants, then finally arriving at Happy Valley together after days on the trail is something I'll never forget.
The friendships and shared experience... made it so memorable.
📌 Do you have a favourite hike?
My favourite hike would have to be Mount Sonder on the Larapinta Trail. My sister and I set off in the dark with our head torches to reach the summit before sunrise, and it was one of those experiences I'll never forget.
📌 What is the biggest lesson you learned on a trail that you applied to your life?
The biggest lesson I've learnt is that when things get hard, you don't have to have all the answers. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Whether you're climbing a steep hill or dealing with life's challenges, progress doesn't have to be fast to count. It's the small, consistent steps that get you where you want to go.
📌 Favourite hike snack?
If I know there's a good bakery nearby, I'll usually make a point of stopping in the day before and grabbing whatever bakery treat catches my eye to stash in my backpack for morning tea. There's just something about sitting on the side of a trail with a fresh bakery treat that makes it taste even better.
📌 Want to join our complimentary Trek2Health frontline worker mental health programs? Applications for our latest intake close soon. Visit the link in bio
📌 How did you start with Trek2Health and what drew you to it?
I first joined Trek2Health through work. At the time I'd become pretty unfit after becoming a mum and then COVID hit, and I realised just how little movement I was doing.
What really drew me to the program was the opportunity to work towards completing the K'gari Great Walk. I loved that it was broken up into four modules, so instead of feeling like I had to commit to a huge goal all at once, I could just focus on the next step.
As I worked towards K'gari, I found myself walking more outside of the organised sessions, which eventually turned into walk-running and then a genuine love of running. I signed up hoping to complete one hike. I never imagined it would change my life so much.
📌 What has been your experience with Trek2Health?
When I first started, I remember struggling to get up some of the hills on our training hikes… Trek2Health gave me the confidence to keep saying yes to challenges that once felt completely out of reach. Most recently, that included completing my first 50km trail ultramarathon in some pretty tough conditions. A few years ago, I never would have believed I was capable of something like that.
One of the best parts of Trek2Health that I never expected was the friendships I made. I joined on my own without knowing anyone, but spending a year training together creates some really strong bonds that have lasted well beyond the program.
Now that I'm a trek leader, it's incredibly rewarding to watch new participants go through that same journey. Seeing someone arrive unsure of themselves in Module One and then finish Module Four with so much more confidence in their abilities reminds me exactly why I keep coming back. I get to relive my own journey through them, and that's a pretty special feeling.
📌 What's your favourite memory about Trek2Health?
Completing the K'gari Great Walk with three amazing women I became really close friends with through Trek2Health. Swimming in Lake McKenzie, walking through the Valley of the Giants, then finally arriving at Happy Valley together after days on the trail is something I'll never forget.
The scenery was incredible, but it was the friendships and shared experience that made it so memorable.
📌 Do you have a favourite hike?
My favourite hike would have to be Mount Sonder on the Larapinta Trail. My sister and I set off in the dark with our head torches to reach the summit before sunrise, and it was one of those experiences I'll never forget.
Watching the sun slowly rise over the desert was incredible. As the light changed, the deep red ranges came to life, the sky turned the brightest blue, and the mountain cast this enormous shadow across the landscape. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
There's something really special about earning a sunrise like that. The early start, the climb in the dark and then being rewarded with a view that makes you stop and take it all in. It's still my favourite hiking memory.
📌 Do you have any unique talents or passions outside of hiking?
These days, running has become my biggest passion. It's funny because I absolutely hated it as a kid… I'm an everyday runner who's usually found somewhere near the back of the pack, and that's one of the things I love most about the sport. You don't have to be the fastest to belong.
One of the coolest things about marathon running is that everyday runners get to line up on the same start line as the world's best. I'll be running the Berlin Marathon later this year, sharing the course with elite athletes from around the world. They'll finish hours before I do, but we'll all share the same start line, the same course and the same finish line. I think that's pretty special.
When I'm not out on the trails or running, you'll usually find me crocheting. It's the complete opposite of running and the perfect way for me to switch off and relax.
📌 What is the biggest lesson you learned on a trail that you applied to your life?
The biggest lesson I've learnt is that when things get hard, you don't have to have all the answers. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Whether you're climbing a steep hill or dealing with life's challenges, progress doesn't have to be fast to count. It's the small, consistent steps that get you where you want to go.
Hiking has taught me to just keep showing up, keep chipping away and trust that every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.
📌 Favourite hike snack?
If I know there's a good bakery nearby, I'll usually make a point of stopping in the day before and grabbing whatever bakery treat catches my eye to stash in my backpack for morning tea. There's just something about sitting on the side of a trail with a fresh bakery treat that makes it taste even better.
Otherwise, my go-to snacks are a little less sophisticated. I like pretzels, gummy worms and raspberry lollies. I basically eat like an unsupervised kid at a birthday party.
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Lovely to meet you Belle, and thank you for sharing your story.
📌 Want to support Trek2Health and the life changing work we do?
Share our complimentary frontline worker mental health program with your loved ones! Applications for our latest intake close soon.
https://www.trek2health.org.au/6-week-frontline-program/
