BROOKE McIntosh is midway through a mission to run two marathons a day for six months straight, aiming to raise $1million for mental health charity The Blue Tree Project.
She also hopes to become the fastest female to run around Australia.
Brooke’s journey is about more than endurance however, she’s meeting everyday Australians, having honest chats mid-run, and calling for change.
Her mantra is “Just one more conversation, one community at a time”.
She’s aiming to shift how Australians view mental health, especially in regional areas like Coffs Harbour, where she stopped for a visit last week.
“Coffs has an incredible mental health community,” she said.
“This stop is about amplifying that, reducing stigma, and helping more people feel safe to speak up.
“I want mental health to be taken seriously, spoken about openly, and supported consistently.
“That means more education in schools, better access to services, and more grassroots initiatives that connect people.”
Brooke is no stranger to mental illness and has openly shared her own journey with depression, anxiety and an eating disorder.
Five weeks into her run, which started in March, she reached a dangerous mental low.
“I had a moment where I thought to myself: ‘What if I made it look like an accident?’
“I was exhausted. But if I acted on that, it would’ve just been recorded as a roadside tragedy. This is what we’re not talking about enough. This is the silent pandemic.”
Despite the physical and emotional toll of running up to 125km daily with no rest days, Brooke is committed to modelling what she advocates for.
She works closely with a support team, stays grounded in her purpose, and makes space for reflection, prayer and laughter.
As she continues on her journey around Australia Brooke is still looking for a shoe sponsor (she’ll go through more than 20 pairs) and fuels herself with 10,000 calories a day.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress or thinking about suicide, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day.
By Leigh WATSON
