Cath Wallis: showing us all how to live a big life in the bodies we have
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Ultra-adventurer Cath Wallis is smashing stereotypes about what it means to be an athlete.
The professional mum of three from Canberra is passionate about busting the myth that adventure is only for young or ‘athletic-looking’ people, by ‘living life big’ in the body she has.
Cath had an epiphany around seven years ago that kickstarted her search for adventure:
“I realised that – quite frankly – I was a bit boring! So I decided that I would commit to some big adventure goals and see what happened. It turned out I loved it, and it changed my life.”
But during one ultra-event, Cath looked around her and realised she couldn’t see anyone else who looked like her. She wanted to expand the definition of what an ultra-events competitor looks like, so she started posting her adventures on her Instagram (@cath.wallis).
Cath hoped this would inspire other people who have never considered themselves athletes, to also choose big adventures and experience the joy of taking part. And it has – she now has a highly engaged community of over 10k whom she inspires regularly.
Over the past seven years, Cath has competed in nine ultra-marathons, including hiking 170km across Australia’s Simpson Desert and 160km across a frozen Lake Khovsgol in Mongolia. She’s again in training for the Mongolian event next February, this time taking a team of 20 trekkers that she’s currently mentoring.
She wants to remind people that with any endurance event or hike, there’s no right or wrong way to participate.
“There’s an assumption that it’s elite people who do this – and sure there are some absolute superstars well ahead of the pack – but the reality is that around a third of the people participating in these events actually walk them.”
“My advice is – choose a goal that speaks to your heart – and then pay the entry fee! Because the combination of something you really want and having committed the $$ is very powerful.”
“Walking with friends is the best way to stay consistent; when you walk and talk you will be surprised how quickly the time goes!”
This is why Cath will be proudly hiking the inaugural Coastrek Canberra team hiking challenge as an Ambassador in March 2024, having previously trekked the Coastrek Sydney Northern Beaches route with her team earlier this year.
“Hiking and trekking has changed my life. It’s taken me around the world, but it all started right here in Canberra when I decided to train and sign up for a long distance challenge and used Canberra’s scenic trails to build up my fitness,” says Cath.
“Now fellow Canberrans can experience the camaraderie and support of Coastrek’s training program and community, and an epic event day as their goal to start them on a lifetime of adventure.”
Coastrek is a team hiking challenge (designed for four people) offering a 20km or 30km trek around Canberra’s iconic Lake Burley Griffin and surrounds on Friday 15 March, 2024. Canberra’s vibrant autumn colours will be in full swing and Coastrek’s unique mix of fun, fitness, friends and fundraising will bring a dynamic vibe to the heart of the capital.
Coastrek is in partnership with the Heart Foundation, and funds raised from the event will help end heart disease in Australia.
Images supplied.
