Running into International Womens Day as a Call to Courage, Connection and Change
Mar 08, 2025
Today is International Womens Day!
March 8th is more than just a date on the calendar. International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day of reflection, celebration and action. A day to honour the women who have paved the way before us, the women who continue to fight for change and the women who inspire us with their strength, courage and resilience.
For me, this day holds deep significance. It reminds me of the power of women supporting women, the strength found in vulnerability, and the unwavering spirit that fuels us to keep going—even when the road feels long and uphill.
It is a day to recognise the battles women have fought and the hills or mountains they continue to climb—not just in boardrooms and voting booths, but in hospital rooms, therapy chairs, support groups, friendships and within themselves.
It is a day to remind every woman who has ever felt unheard, unseen or unworthy that her voice, her presence and her story matter.
You might be wondering why I have chosen to run on International Womens Day. The truth is, any day in my body, heart and mind is a great day to run—but doing so on International Womens Day feels like an added bonus.
Running is more than just movement—it is a metaphor for life, for resilience, for overcoming obstacles one step at a time.
The run I ventured on today was more than just exercise; it was a journey through time, emotions and the landscapes of my past and present.
I set out along the coastal route, beginning at Newcastle Beach, where the crisp morning air kissed my skin, filling my lungs with the scent of salt and possibility. The horizon stretched endlessly before me, the early light reflecting off the waves like a quiet promise of something new. Each inhale felt like renewal, each step an offering to the day ahead.
As I moved through King Edward Park, nostalgia crept in, wrapping around me like a long-lost friend. A flicker of recognition surfaced as if I were retracing the steps of my school cross-country laps. There was a smile on my face as I conquered the first hill rather gracefully if I do say so. The feeling was both grounding and surreal, my legs carrying me through memories just out of reach yet deeply familiar. The echoes of younger footsteps lingered in the soil beneath me, a reminder of the passage of time, of growth, of change.
As grey clouds started to fill the sky I moved from King Edward Park towards the Anzac Walk, overlooking Bar Beach, I paused at the 2.5KM mark to connect with nature and with my breath as the sea air fill my lungs, watching the waves roll in—their endless motion a quiet reassurance that life moves forward, no matter what. There is something deeply grounding about standing before the ocean, witnessing its vastness, its unwavering rhythm, its quiet strength. It was here long before me, and it will remain long after. That thought alone was both humbling and freeing.
I could now see the halfway mark (it seemed like a little speck from up here - the furthest peace of beach in the above image).
It felt as though I was sprinting past Dixon Park Surf Club, the wind flowing through my hair. Just one more beach remained on this journey before turning around to retrace my route—meaning a few more hills and some uphill stair sprints ahead.
As I approached Merewether Beach, something shifted. My heartbeat quickened and tears gently rolled down my face. This beach—this very stretch of sand—has held me on many occasions, especially on one of my darkest days, a moment when I felt lost, overwhelmed, uncertain if I had the strength to keep going.
Here I am. Alive. Being. Breathing. Feeling. Grateful. Moving. Running. Smiling.
I slipped off my Vivobarefoot joggers and stood there with my toes sinking into the familiar softness of the sand, waves kissing the shore as they always have, as they always will. The ocean, ever-moving and ever-changing, held space for all that I have been and all that I am becoming.
Feeling the sand beneath my feet, hearing the roar of the ocean and inhaling the salty air was nothing short of extraordinary. The ebb and flow of the waves felt like an invitation—to release what no longer serves me and welcome new aspirations. The tide, ever-shifting, reminding me that life moves in cycles—sometimes crashing, sometimes retreating but always flowing forward.
I know there will always be crashing waves—moments of struggle, grief and uncertainty. I also know there will be gentle waves, the kind that softly guide us forward, the kind that whisper, Keep going.
As I ran this morning, my mind was with Brooke McIntosh—a powerhouse of determination who is currently on a mission to be the youngest and fastest woman to run 14,080 kilometers over 80 days, averaging 80 kilometers a day. Not just across Australia, but around Australia—an extra 10,000 kilometers beyond a coast-to-coast run.
Her journey is raw, real, and fueled by purpose:
πΏ To become the fastest woman to run around Australia.
πΏ To raise $1.4 million for mental health charities, including the @bluetreeproject
πΏ To spread the message of “JUST ONE MORE.”
Today, Brooke is in part three of her first leg, running from Albany to Esperance.
Her run embodies the power of just one more—a simple yet profound mission that inspires perseverance, pushes boundaries and fuels the determination to keep moving forward.
πΉ Just one more conversation.
πΉ Just one more step.
πΉ Just one more reason to speak up.
πΉJust one more breath.
πΉ Just one more step from awareness.
πΉ Just one more step in self-realisation.
πΉ Just one more act of unconditional love.
πΉ Just one more moment of courage
Sometimes, just one more is all it takes to save a life.
We often think of love as grand gestures, but sometimes, unconditional love is as simple as presence—holding space for someone without judgment, sitting in silence when words feel too heavy, saying, “I’m here.”
Love is found in:
β€οΈ One more check-in with a friend who has been distant.
β€οΈ One more reminder to someone that they are not alone.
β€οΈ One more deep breath when emotions feel overwhelming.
β€οΈ One more “I see you, I hear you, I love you.”
Unconditional love is the glue that holds humanity together, and we must continue to offer it—not just to others, but to ourselves.
Mental health struggles can feel isolating, but unfortunately they are not uncommon.
Accrding to ABS Statistics in Australia alone:
1 in 5 women experience anxiety and depression, sometimes multiple times in their lives.
Too many suffer in silence, afraid to speak up, afraid of being a burden.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death, with 9 lives lost every day in Australia.
In 2023 alone, 2,419 men and 795 women died by suicide.
1.7 million Australians (aged 16-85) have self-harmed at some point in their lives.
These numbers are devastating—but they are a whole lot more than just numbers.
They are lives, stories and people who needed more support, more conversations and more understanding.
This is why we run.
For the ones who struggle.
For the ones who fight silent battles.
For the ones who need “just one more” sign that they are never alone.
I know what it’s like to struggle with mental health. I have walked through many moments of darkness, felt the weight of fear and unsureness, the unpredictability of emotions and the exhaustion of trying to keep it all together.
I also know the power of resilience.
The power of movement, of connection, of choosing to keep going.
Life is a journey of ups and downs, but with an open heart, curiosity and self-compassion, we can overcome any obstacle that arises.
Every time I lace up my running shoes, I remind myself:
πβοΈ Movement is healing.
π Expression is necessary.
πΏ Our emotions are meant to be felt, not suppressed.
π₯ Strength is built one step at a time.
π The crisp morning air carries fresh possibilities as the sunshine beams down, filling each day with warmth.
π« Every step forward is a step toward growth.
π¦ Transformation happens in motion.
π Like the tides, we rise and fall—but we will always rise again.
π± Resilience is a muscle that gets stronger with practice.
π I am worthy of taking up space, in running and in life.
πΆ My breath, my heartbeat, my footsteps—this is my rhythm.
π I run not just for myself, but for those who need one more reason to keep going.
Every time we choose to move, we choose life, healing and possibility.
This morning, as I conquered each hill, I thought about the journey—not just my own, but the journey Brooke is currently on and the journey of every other woman out there facing her own battles. Running teaches us that even when things feel insurmountable, even when the road ahead feels long and winding, all we have to do is take one more step.
Whether you are a seasoned runner, a weekend walker or passionate about mental health, there is a way for you to be part of this magnificent and monumental movement.
Donate to Brooke’s mission as every contribution supports mental health initiatives that provide crucial resources to those in need including .
π Click here to support “Just One More.”
Follow Brooke and her journey as she shares her experiences, struggles and triumphs every step of the way.
π Instagram: @brookemcintosh_
Go ahead and start your own journey no matter who you are or where you are through running, walking or simply reaching out to someone who needs support, every small action counts.
Today, on International Women’s Day, I honour myself, I honour you Brooke, and I honour every woman who has ever faced a challenge and kept going.
I honour the courage to be vulnerable, the strength to keep showing up and the wild spirit that pushes us forward.
We, as women, deserve to be celebrated, surrounded by unconditional love and witnessed in our radiance every single day—not just today, but always. We deserve to be uplifted, supported and reminded of our worth, not based on what we do for others, but simply because we exist.
Too often, women are expected to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, giving endlessly while receiving little in return. We as women are not just caretakers, not just givers—we are powerhouses of resilience, wisdom and light. It is time to hold space for each other, to celebrate our wins, to listen without judgment and to remind one another that we are enough, exactly as we are.
Thank you, Brooke, for sparking a worldwide conversation about mental health, for showing us that it is no longer the elephant in the room.
As you might already know, my word of the year is IGNITE and I know how many conversations, connections and moments of healing this journey will ignite in the hearts of so many.
What is your “Just One More” today?
π Just one more moment of kindness.
π Just one more deep breath.
π Just one more step towards healing.
π Just one more act of unconditional love.
Because one more truly can change everything.
Whatever it is, take that step because you never know how much of a difference one more can make.
I am so damn proud of myself for completing 10.2km this morning. There were some parts that were definitely harder than others, and there were a few moments where the struggle was real. In those moments, I reminded myself: you can do it—just one more step until you get to the top of this hill. I told myself multiple times throughout this run, strong legs, strong heart, strong mind, and every step forward is a victory. I connected with my breath allowing it guide me as I checked in with what my body needed.
Being surrounded by wonderful people and stunning coastal views made the journey even more rewarding, with a few refreshing drops of rain along the way, and the wind providing a gentle nudge from behind. A beautiful reminder that movement is not just about distance or pace—it’s about the experience, the connection and the joy of simply being in motion.
