Sophia’s Story

Sophia is a lover and a fighter. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. In the midst of this overwhelming reality, she found solace in something simple yet profoundly healing:

walking.

The tumors caused a fracture in her spine, making movement incredibly difficult for a while. She used to be a runner, but after four surgeries, combined with weakness from medications, running was no longer an option. She found herself feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and stuck.

But one day, determined to reclaim a sense of self, she pulled herself off the couch, drove to the beach, and started walking. She couldn’t run, but she could walk. And she didn’t want to stop. That simple act of moving forward, one step at a time, brought her back to herself, and walking became her lifeline.

Now, Sophia is turning that lifeline into a transformative journey. She and her lifelong friend, Jade, are embarking on a 500-mile walk around the southern portion of Florida. Over the course of 45 days, they will walk through their home, including a special side quest through the Everglades—one of Sophia’s longtime dreams to experience.

We’re calling this Walking Home FL because we’re leaving from our hometown, walking through our home in nature, and ending back home where we started. But there’s a deeper meaning, too.

This walk is a testament to the vital role that nature and community play in the healing process. Sophia’s connection to nature has always been a driving force in her life—a place of peace and refuge. From a young age, she has fought to protect the environment. She set up a recycling program at our middle school, protested for peace, advocated for climate action, protected wildlife, and would even take great care in saving an ant about to be stepped on. More recently, she has served as Board Secretary for a bioremediation nonprofit, led kayak tours through Florida’s natural waterways, and has been deeply passionate about shark conservation.

One of the most important realizations Sophia has had through all of this is that healing involves much more than just taking medication and relying on doctors to save us (even though we are so grateful for all that they do!). True healing requires looking within and asking: What caused this dis-ease to begin with? And what does my body need to heal?

Walking Home FL is her healing journey, but it’s also an open invitation to anyone on their own path—whether they’re navigating illness, loss, heartbreak, or simply seeking to move forward in life. Sophia hopes others will feel inspired to join her—whether for a few steps or a few miles. We want to highlight the essential role of nature and community in healing. We need them both.

So, as we walk, we hope to inspire others to reconnect— with themselves, with each other, and with the world around them.

This isn’t just a walk. It’s a way home.