Whether you’re just starting out on your walking journey or are looking for a way to ramp up your regular hikes, signing up for an event or challenge is a great motivator. We speak to four inspiring women about their experiences of doing just that
“DOING THINGS OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE”
Naomi Holbrook, a 47-year-old health and wellbeing expert from Hove, is planning to hike up Mont Blanc later this year with friends. It’s her first challenge like it, and she’s looking forward to reaching the summit...
“I wasn't an active child or adult; in fact for a long time, I hated any form of exercise due to an ongoing back condition. This caused chronic pain for years and when I was in my early 30s, I was unable to walk further than about 200m without huge discomfort. In 2009 this resulted in me undergoing major spinal surgery to replace a degenerated disc and reinforce my spine.
Post-surgery, I started walking and exercising. Having previously battled years of depression and anxiety, walking soon became a big part of my daily life. I realised that being in nature and outdoors had a positive impact on my mental health, and made me feel better even on my low days.
Since then I have walked every day, whether along the seafront in Hove where I live or up on the South Downs, and I always pack my trainers or walking shoes when I go away.
In the years since my operation, I have completed a number of running and obstacle-based races, but a few months ago I felt the need for a new physical and mental challenge. A friend walked up Mont Blanc in September and when he returned, I told him I would love to join his group if they went again. Three weeks later I received a message asking if I’d be up for it in 2023 and it was a no-brainer.
It’s a big (and not to mention fairly scary) test for my first walking challenge but I know from experience that doing things outside of our comfort zone is when we feel most alive and I love to stretch myself both mentally and physically. Opportunities like this don’t come around every day so I grabbed it with both hands!
A team of six of us will be heading up there at the end of August with our own experienced guide. Mont Blanc is Europe’s finest and highest alpine hike and will involve us hiking around a 170km circuit over seven to 10 days. The expedition will be made up of days where we are ascending more than 1,000m carrying a weighted load, and the final stretch to the summit of Mont Blanc will be Dome du Gouter. This involves 4,810m crossing through France, Italy and Switzerland. With a few months to go, I am getting some f
