Kaylene Luyke

Overcoming the Mental Battle: My Journey to Kokoda

Overcoming the Mental Battle: My Journey to Kokoda

When I first decided to take on the Kokoda Challenge, I knew it was going to be tough. But for me, it’s not just about the physical challenge—it’s about proving to myself that I am stronger than the doubts that have followed me for years.

When I was 11, I had a stroke. One day, I was just a normal kid running around, playing sports, and having fun. The next, everything changed. I had to learn how to move my body properly, and how to deal with the frustration of feeling stuck in a body that wasn’t working the way it used to.

It wasn’t just the physical part that was hard. The hardest thing was the mental battle—the fear that I’d never be the same, that I’d never be strong again. I remember wondering if people would always see me as ‘the girl who had a stroke’ instead of just me. It took time, but I refused to let those thoughts win. I worked harder than ever, pushing myself to get stronger, to keep going even when it felt impossible.

Now, as a 14-year-old, I’m taking on Kokoda to remind myself how far I’ve come. Every step, every climb, every tough moment on that trail is going to remind me that I’ve already faced something harder than this. The exhaustion, the pain, the challenges—they’re nothing compared to what I’ve already beaten.

Walking the Kokoda track is my way of proving to myself that I am not my past—I am my strength. I am more than what happened to me. I am determined, I am capable, and I will not let anything hold me back.

Why I Need Your Support

Taking on Kokoda is not just a personal challenge; it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire others who face their own battles. But I can’t do it alone. The journey requires training, equipment, and resources to make it possible. I am asking for your support to help me take on this challenge and show that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to give up.

Your contribution—big or small—will help me cover the costs of this adventure and push me one step closer to my goal. More importantly, it will show that no one fights their battles alone.

If you believe in resilience, determination, and the power of never giving up, please consider supporting my Kokoda journey.

I am ready. I am strong. I am unbreakable.

Will you help me take the next step?