Tough Girl Podcast Bailey Seamer: Hiking Australia's East Coast (14 Months, 5,000km) for Mental Health Advocacy.
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Bailey Seamer, an extraordinary individual who undertook a 14-month, 5,000km hike along Australia's East Coast, from Wilsons Promontory to Cape York, all in the name of mental health advocacy. Bailey's story is one of resilience, determination, and hope, as she uses her journey to raise awareness and support for mental health issues.
Diagnosed with a major depressive disorder at just 14, Bailey has faced significant challenges, including managing an all-consuming mental illness and dealing with the impact of bi-polar disorder. Despite these obstacles, she found solace and strength in walking, which became a crucial part of her healing journey. Her decision to embark on this monumental hike was driven by a desire to advocate for mental health, share her story, and demonstrate that even in the face of adversity, one can achieve incredible feats.
Throughout her journey, Bailey encountered numerous challenges, from managing her mental health on the trail to dealing with the physical demands of such an extensive hike. She shares insights into her experiences, the support she received from family and strangers alike, and the lessons she learned along the way. Bailey's journey is a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult the path may seem, there is always hope, support, and the possibility of overcoming life's greatest challenges.
Tune in to hear Bailey's incredible story, learn about her mental health advocacy efforts, and be inspired by her unwavering determination to make a difference.
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Show notes
- Who is Bailey
- Hiking the East Coast of Australia
- Her mental health journey
- Being diagnosed at 14 with a major depressive disorder
- Being supported by her family
- Managing an all consuming mental illness
- Having to leave university and move back home
- Bi-polar disorder?
- Making the decision to go into a mental health hospital
- Being in a really bad place
- Walking home 30k from the hospital
- Feeling proud of herself
- Why walking became a really important part of her healing journey
- ECT - Electric Convulsive Therapy
- Having the idea to walk the East Coast
- Feeling a sadness and frustration and not knowing if she would be ok
- The Black Dog Institute
- Sharing her ideas with people
- Finding people’s criticism, very helpful in her planning process.
- Not being taken seriously at first and doing something about it
- Why it was such an important leaning stage
- Being taken seriously and starting to take herself seriously as well
- Managing her bi-polar disorder while on the walk
- Why medication is an important part of her health care routine
- Having a bad day and what that can look like
- Wanting to be able to pinpoint the problem
- Dealing with a spectrum of emotions
- Understanding the difference between, ‘I can’t’ and ‘I don’t want to’
- Tantrum Time Out for 7 mins
- Putting small rocks in her shoes…. A physical way of reframing the situation
- Creating a pocket of pleasure in her day
- Being alone while on the walk
- Making a decision by yourself
- Reflecting back on previous situations
- Paying for the challenge
- The kindness of strangers
- Reflecting back on the journey and some of the main memories from the experience
- Waking up with a fox in her tent!
- Adventure blues
- Planning a trip to Rio to go to Carnival
- Not walking a huge amount
- What she wanted people to take away from her walk
- Why you are not alone if you are suffering from mental health
- Letting people know that there is support available and that there is no shame in asking for help
- Breaking things down and taking it one step at a time
- How to connect with Bailey online and find out more about her journey
- Final words of advice
- Why everything will pass
- Nothing in this life is permanent
Social Media
Website: wandering-minds.org
Instagram: @wandering_minds_walk
Facebook: @wanderingmindswalk