Taking part in the Larapinta Trek during Lung Health Awareness Month was one of the most challenging, emotional, and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
I’d never been to the Northern Territory before, and I fell in love with the landscape as soon as the trek was promoted. Once I signed up, training became another opportunity to practise what we so often encourage others to do: keep moving your body where you can and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
A week before the trek, I became unwell and almost didn’t make it. That experience gave me a small glimpse into what many of our consumers face when plans are suddenly derailed by illness or a life-limiting diagnosis. It challenged me emotionally and reminded me of the importance of extending kindness to yourself when things fall outside your control.
The trek itself pushed all of us physically and mentally in ways we never expected. There were eight people in our group ranging from our mid-20s to late 70s, but throughout the trek, nobody was ever left behind. If anything, everyone pulled together to make sure we all shared the same experience of accomplishment.
A challenge like this isn’t just about distance, it’s about purpose, connection and discovering what you’re capable of. There’s something incredibly powerful about joining a group of people you’ve only just met, all working towards the same cause. You lift each other, laugh through the tough moments, celebrate every finish line, and realise how much stronger you are together.
The selflessness of the group is something that will stay with me for a long time. During the toughest stretches, there was constant encouragement, and instead of feeling the need to apologise for slowing anyone down, there was the reassurance that ‘You’re going at exactly the pace you need to.’ On our final night, some group members even cooked for the guides so they could enjoy a well-deserved break. It was a beautiful reminder of what community looks like when everyone shows up for one another.
Mount Sonder was undoubtedly the toughest moment for me. We started the climb at 3am, racing the sunrise to reach the summit. There were so many moments where I looked up trying to spot the finish line, but the darkness hid everything. When our guide would say there was “another 30 minutes” to go, the mind games would kick in. That was when I had to practise what I so often preach, keep putting one foot in front of the other.
On the Larapinta Trek, I learned that courage doesn’t always look like climbing mountains or walking long distances. Sometimes courage is simply getting through the day. It’s letting your teammate carry your backpack when it gets too heavy. It’s taking the next breath, facing fears, pushing through exhaustion, or choosing hope when everything feels hard.
The experience also gave me a new perspective. Looking down constantly just to survive the footing, then looking up at something so ancient and vast, made everyday worries feel smaller. The stillness, the meditation walks, the tears, the laughter (and there was plenty of that), and the spontaneous ‘breaking out in song’ moments created a kind of spaciousness for reflection that everyday life rarely allows. Most importantly, every step of the trek carried our consumers in my heart.
You may not be walking trails like this, but your resilience is no less inspiring. If anything, this experience deepened my respect for the strength it takes to keep showing up through the challenges you face. We walked to raise awareness, to stand alongside you, and to remind you that you are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
Crossing the finish line knowing we had raised vital funds for lung health filled me with pride, not just in myself, but in what we achieved together.
If you would like to donate to Lilanie’s fundraising page, please visit https://lungfoundation.grassrootz.com/lungfoundationaustralia-larapinta-2026/lilanie-dagg
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