D . B . A . M . I . H

Last year felt clear, precise, considered. I knew exactly what I wanted to go for, and I set about putting things in action very early on to make them happen… the list wasn’t long, it rarely is, but it was meaningful.

Fundraising for Dementia Australia through Miles for Memories was at the heart of it all.

My core “why” held deep significance, Dementia has dominated my life at a foundational level for well over a decade. My mother died in 2022 from the disease after a long and cruel robbery of her whole self, and my father is now in the palliative stages of another form of the same disease.

While I didn’t achieve my the biggest dream in the completion of the GPT Miler, the depth of lessons learned along the way were by far some of the most defining for me in recent years… I was continually reminded, that while there was no guarantee of a desired outcome, I was exactly where I needed to be, and I believe I was.

The parallels of endurance sports and life has not been lost on me through it all, and personally, alongside a massive year of ultra marathons, trail runs and training there were deep personal challenges; challenges that undoubtedly shaped who I am now… maybe one day I’ll share, but as of now, I’m not sure I have found the words.

Actively seeking discomfort, saying yes to hard things, dreaming big goals that scare me, those are the places where I’ve found the strength and lessons to implement into my life… it’s because of those things that I have the determination and strength to continue on the uncomfortable.

So where does this tie in to now, this year, the D.B.A.M.I.H. list for 2026?

Well, whereas last year was clear, this year feels fluid… This year I don’t feel weighted by expectation, from myself, or others, this year at the core I’m driven by what feels aligned… so my list is shorter, and maybe a little less rigid… It’s open to change, exploration, and more curiosity.

Yes, in 2026 I still have the goal of a Miler event, and yes, I still want to travel end to end on the GPT trail, but I am not sure they are one and the same for the time being… and I love the freedom to explore those two things.

The dream still exists, making it happen might look a little different though.

Join me for the ride.