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Jess Knight

Donate to Jess and help create better mental health for all. 

Please help me reach my goal

Raised

$349

My Goal

$1,000

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Jessie

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. You are not alone.

Total Raised

$349

Total Distance

60km

Distance Goal

100km

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental illness each year?

This October, I’m taking part in One Foot Forward to help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

I'm walking to raise funds for Black Dog Institute to put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education, and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my walk.

Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.

My Updates

Got to get back up

So.... I got sick. I felt it coming on but was hopeful that it was just a moment that would pass without incident. I was wrong.

Now I can be the first to admit I am not at my best when I am sick (understatement of the year). Ask my poor husband; I am sure he can attest, but this time I think I was particularly feral. 

Not only was I sick, but I was really disappointed. For the first time in ages, I was feeling GOOD, like really good! Then sickness came and took it all away. That's what I told myself at the time anyway. This just shows how quickly one little, seemingly insignificant thing can derail how "good" we are doing. I was angry, disappointed and feeling unwell. I was worried that because of this I was no longer going to be able to meet my target, and I was going to let everyone down, and I was a failure etc etc etc. 

See how quickly things can spiral?? In my head, that was perfectly reasonable. Sometimes, it takes a little time and perspective to see the truth for what it really is.

I am not failing, or letting anyone down, or useless or a disappointment.... I was SICK. Sickness also hits me a little harder than most due to complications. 2 days wallowing in my own self-pity to finally kick back into gear, realise it wasn't the end of the world, and as long as I get back to it, do the best I can with the time I have left..... I am doing exactly what I set out to do, and maybe learning a bit about myself along the way. 

I am proud of what I have done so far and so thankful to everyone who has donated and encouraged me to keep going. Today I was back on the treadmill, in my new One Foot Forward tee, trying my best to bring awareness whilst working on me too.

Half way. I am proud of myself. It is a good feeling.

We all need a little help sometimes

Started today by meeting up with my mental health peer support worker. She introduced me to a colleague of hers who I also have the fantastic opportunity to work with as well. I must admit, we are lucky to have the supports around us, even when sometimes they are a little hard to find. I left the meeting feeling even more confident and determined to keep pushing down the path I have chosen for myself, and more than ever I know I’m doing the right thing. Feeling seem, feeling supported, accepted and acknowledged for who you are, where you are on any given day is so important. After this, it was time to hit the gym again. Today I could actually feel the difference. I could push a little harder, go a little longer, walk a little faster. It might not seem like much from the outside, but from where I am standing, it means the world. I was even repping my FND Awareness tank. Until next time, keep putting one foot forward !

Rest and recovery are key

So after a pretty full on little while, I made a conscious decision to rest yesterday. This came with a pretty big revelation for me…. Rest is NECESSARY, not a luxury. I have equated rest with guilt for so long (for many reasons) and that in itself has severely impacted on my mental health. You see, due to my health conditions and disabilities, rest is not optional and if I don’t and I ignore my bodies screaming, my body shuts down. It’s like my body decided that I was like a naughty toddler who couldn’t look after itself properly and took over. That was years ago, and thanks to the incredible team I am building around me to guide me, some intense inner work and the incredible support from my loved ones, I finally feel like I am getting somewhere. I guess that is why this cause is so important to me. So here’s to a great workout, allowing myself to rest without guilt and the reward of a chicken salad sandwich 😉

To climb a mountain

For me, working on my mental health has been very much akin to climbing a mountain. preparation, doubt, fear, determination, start, stop, cry, give up and then in the end just getting on and facing the challenge. it’s been a long line haul to get there, but at least I am on the trail, with my support crew and working my way up again. So today, as a mark of respect for where I have been, and where I am going, I am going to hike a mountain. That is a statement I never thought I would make. so see you on the other side with today’s kms sorted (with luck!) Jess

Starting is always the hardest part

As with most things, I struggle to get started with just about anything. 
Because of this fact, I allowed myself to slip lower and lower into depression and anxiety not so long ago. I struggled just getting out of bed or eating. So I made choices and changes and it is helping so much. So now, it’s my turn to give back in a little way. Walking 100km in October seems nearly impossible looking back over the last few years, but it’s time to start looking forward and hopefully helping more than just me get the support they need. Please donate anything you can, sometime just $1 could make the difference between access to help and the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.
Thank you so much! I’ll keep you updated.

My impact over 2 years

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My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

$66.73

Mum N Daddy G

We know how important this is for you. So very proud of you for facing this challenge and doing it at your pace. If you turned the clock back a few weeks we couldn’t even imagine you achieving this so keep on going. We love you dearly xoxo

$55.95

Pete & Em F

$55.95

Rob And Marion Grimmett

$55.95

Dominica

All the best with the 100kms. Great cause Jess

$45.30

Lauren Sweetman

So proud of you gf ❤️

$45.30

Anonymous

$23.81

Chantelle Smith

Thank you to my supporters

$55.95

Dominica

All the best with the 100kms. Great cause Jess

$45.30

Lauren Sweetman

So proud of you gf ❤️

$45.30

Anonymous

$23.81

Chantelle Smith