Episode 7: I Started Living In April: Finding Courage, Community & Confidence

In this month's episode of Trail Tales WA, we're chatting with Zahra—a woman, mother and hiker with a huge heart. She's creative, loves painting and craft, and has a wonderful ability to notice the beauty in the landscapes around her. She also happens to be neurodivergent and Muslim.

Earlier this year, Zahra shared a simple sentence on Facebook that stopped us in our tracks:

"I started living in April 2026."

What happened in April that made someone feel like they'd only just started living?

After spending years dreaming about adventure, Zahra finally found the courage to say "yes" to her first guided hike. What followed wasn't just a series of walks through nature—it was the beginning of a whole new chapter. One where she discovered confidence, friendship, community, and the joy that comes from doing something just for herself.

Together, we explore what held her back for so many years, what gave her the courage to take that first step, and the ripple effect that decision has had on every part of her life—from motherhood and mental wellbeing to finding her place in a community that celebrates her for exactly who she is.

This episode is about courage, belonging, putting yourself first without guilt, and the extraordinary magic that can happen when you finally give yourself permission to start living.

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Hosted by Tracy Jones.

Produced by Cindy Jones.

Music by Andrii Poradovskyi from Pixabay

Transcript

Host - Tracy 0:00

Trail Tales WA acknowledges the Whadyuk people of the Nungan Nation as the traditional custodians on the land on which this podcast is recorded. We recognize their deep and continuing connection to land, waters, skies, and community. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and we extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples listening today. We're grateful to be sharing stories from the trails on this beautiful country where we walk, reflect, and connect with nature from here on Whadyuk Noongar Land. And wherever you're tuning in, we honour the enduring strength, culture, and care of First Nations people listening across Australia. Welcome to Trail Tales WA, the podcast where we break down barriers and share the stories we hear out on the trails. I'm your host, Tracy Jones, and I'm super excited you're joining us for another inspiring conversation. Today's guest is someone who has completely captured the hearts of our OTBT community and the team. Her name is Zahra. And earlier this year, Zahra shared something with us that stopped me in my tracks. She said, I started living in April. Just think about that for a moment. What happened in April that made someone feel like they'd only just started living? In this episode, we explore what held Zahra back for so many years. What gave her courage to finally say yes to that very first hike. And how one decision sparked a ripple effect through every part of her life. We'll chat about fear, courage, motherhood, community, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and the incredible confidence that can grow from taking that very first step. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or someone who's been telling yourself, maybe one day, I think you'll see a little bit of yourself and Zahra story. So let's get into it. Zahra, thank you so much for joining me today out on the trail. It's an absolute pleasure to have you here on Trail Tales WA. First of all, how are you feeling about being here sharing your story with me today? Yeah, hello, and thanks for having me.

Guest - Zahra 2:09

You're very welcome. I guess I'm nervous, but I guess it also feels nice to finally get the opportunity to tell your story.

Host - Tracy 2:21

Yeah. Absolutely. How often as women and mothers do we actually get to have that moment for ourselves where the spotlight is on us?

Guest - Zahra 2:30

Rare, I would say. Yeah. Your life is about your kids and helping others. And in that process, I guess you drop to the background and you don't focus on yourself.

Host - Tracy 2:43

So well, here we are, right now, it's all about you. And I'd love to start by taking a few steps back. Let's talk about before you discovered hiking. Tell me a little bit about yourself. Who is Zahra away from the trails?

Guest - Zahra 2:59

Well, Zahra would be a mom. Also, I take my work really seriously, my hobbies. I guess for how I was growing up, lots of my hobbies are to do with art and crafts. I'm very creative as well. My favorite subjects always been art and mathematics. Ah and mathematics? Yes. But I never knew how to combine them. But anyway, that's for another story. But in the art space, I whatever is arty, I'm up for it. So I do a bit of mosaic, watercolor, acrylic, crochet, sewing.

Host - Tracy 3:37

Wow, that sounds amazing. And I do have uh a little sneak peek insight into the fact that you did do an amazing painting. Was it a painting or a drawing for one of the girls? Yes, yes. It was beautiful. I saw a photo of it. Like, where do you find your inspiration for your art?

Guest - Zahra 3:52

Yeah, so I guess up until before hiking, I would just uh Google photos, and that's all I had to work with. Now, after hiking, I can actually paint one of the foot the photos, and it means so much more because it's like it's memories, it means something for me or somebody. So it's been the most beautiful thing because I can combine hiking in an art, you know.

Host - Tracy 4:24

That's amazing. Ammar, you just said something before. What did you just say before about um your mum and her painting?

Guest - Ammar 4:32

So she like used to paint and she'd like do paintings of like random images or even me and stuff. Yeah, but like she's been painting a lot more. She like technically didn't paint for a long while because she was busy with her work. But after hiking, she like found more love.

Host - Tracy 4:54

Oh, you found more love. That was beautiful. And do you think that love was partly I guess for painting again, but also for yourself?

Guest - Zahra 5:04

Yes, because sometimes when you're good at something, you think that's your hobbies. Yeah, but actually it's not like that anymore. It's like okay, I actually enjoy doing these things, not just because I'm good at it. Yeah. Um, so it takes a different angle for me now.

Host - Tracy 5:21

Okay, awesome. And we've just heard from a ma who is your amazing son. Tell me a little bit about him and you and what does your life look like on a day-to-day, week-by-week basis?

Guest - Zahra 5:34

Yeah, so we've been through pretty much a lot together. I've been a single mom since he was born, and soon after he was developing differently, so we've been down the lots of diagnostic pathways, and so um I guess once we had that, then a lot of therapy and intervention, and so my life was really focused on him and making sure that he gets a good start to life. And I guess once he's turned a teenager and we have pretty much accomplished a lot of things that we wanted to do, with like baking and just catching up with a lot of gaps, with like closing the gap with his neurodevelopmental uh growth and stuff. So, yeah, finally finding more, I guess, uh space to do more activities together and hiking been the most recent, I would say, yeah, activities that we both enjoy and put us in a happy place now. That's amazing.

Host - Tracy 6:40

We've definitely loved seeing you guys both out on the trails. You've done a whole bunch of different tours. You've done a few multi-day trips with us now, and you've done some of the day tours, but I think your time with OTBT started actually a few years ago when Amar signed up for hikeability. Tell me a little bit about his initial hikes outdoors because I think he was really obsessed. Was it with Minecraft or was it Fortnite or Ninjago? There was something he was really obsessed with at the time, and I know that our guide Laurie really did a lot of research to understand what the hell that was and try to get into the mind of like an uh a young you know boy. How did that come about? And did you find that Ama got anything out of that? And then I guess why did you stop back then?

Guest - Zahra 7:26

Yeah. Yeah, good question. Now you're testing my memory.

Host - Tracy 7:29

I know, sorry, I know it was quite a few years ago.

Guest - Zahra 7:33

It was, I you probably remember a lot. Maybe he was I can't remember. He was eight, nine, maybe younger. And that hike, I I think I had to drive to it, and it really pushed me. Just getting there, and yeah, driving is just not my thing. Yeah, so I guess by then when we were there, I was like, I'm exhausted.

Host - Tracy 7:54

So you would have got quite tense up yourself, yeah. Um and I imagine that Amar probably felt that as well, so he wasn't able to relax on the hike.

Guest - Zahra 8:05

Yeah, yeah, and it was a short one that we did, and I think for me, yeah, it was maybe the obstacle of getting there. We I put it on hold. Yeah. Sort of information.

Host - Tracy 8:16

It was scary, and it didn't make you feel good because you had the scary thing of driving, which is just you know, I guess it's your arch nemesis, you just it just is your deal breaker, and I guess at the time you couldn't find a way to get to the trail unless you drove.

Guest - Zahra 8:32

Yeah, I think that was the biggest thing from memory. Yeah, and I had no idea uh what I was doing, so yeah, it was a bit of a test, maybe we did.

Host - Tracy 8:43

Yeah, but it was obviously uh, I guess a seed was planted back then with a ma wanting to get outside and get and get out onto the trails, and you also, I guess there was always that desire of wanting to be out with nature, but for you the timing wasn't quite right.

Guest - Zahra 8:58

Yeah, and also I would mention this that we're we're both neurodiverse, but our profiles were very opposite. So I'm not the outgoing one, he's the one that wants to have friends, and I'm the one that I might be on my own, and you know, I just avoid. Yeah. So I think that put me in a box that I missed on a lot of opportunities to go and explore. And also, life gets in the way, work. You start having other priorities, you know, you're the single income, and uh there's pressure. The focus was okay, take him to his main programs, his therapy, communicating with his teachers, everybody, to make all that on top of your you know your day-to-day things. Yeah, I think I find myself just too tired. It's a lot. Also a lot. I would be, especially like when he was younger, I was doing part-time casual, but for the last five years I was doing full-time. Because you know, you start wanting to build that future for yourself, for him. And somehow there is this culture of full-time work, especially when you're the only income and so that put so much pressure on me. And I find myself most weekends in bed, really just tired, just trying to like just leave me alone. So I was like not in a good space. Yeah. We were still on paper taking lots of boxes for him, but I w we weren't connecting much because I'm so so tired all the time. Yeah. Like, leave me alone, I need a space.

Guest - Ammar 10:24

I used to be like so social, but now I'm very social but aware. So I can look after myself and I know who's good and bad. Because back then I couldn't really tell like who were bad people, who were good people. Because my brain wasn't very good social. With autism, you're just you start off bad socially, but you can improve over the time. And that's what happened to them all for us.

Host - Tracy 10:55

I think you just made my heart melt a little bit, Amar. You articulated that so beautifully, and it was just such a really mature insight that you've got on how you have developed socially over the time. And I think, neurodiverse or not, I think that is actually really relevant to a lot of teenagers and adults and just human beings in general. We start off without the skills, and we just I guess we're attracted to those bright and shiny things, and that might be a bad thing. And it takes a lot of skill and energy and learnings to actually realize what's right and wrong. So, Zahra, if someone had met you in January this year, prior to you booking on or even taking that first step on your first hike, would they have imagined you'd be doing what you're doing now?

Guest - Zahra 11:38

Absolutely not.

Host - Tracy 11:41

What do you think they would be thinking? Yeah, that Zahra's version was very different. So, how have you transformed in the last six months?

Guest - Zahra 11:49

Very different. Like you can ask the feedback. Like, sometimes like the biggest change has been my wardrobe. I didn't even have pants in my wardrobe. So you just said you didn't have pants in your wardrobe? Yeah, yeah. It's a cultural thing, you know, and also a bit of the the way you grow up, the way you've been raised to dress certain way for modesty, for the how how you speak, etc. So some of it is is culture and community, but some of it is more within your family uh unit. So yeah, I think because of that, and so I tell you this, and then once I did the hiking, right? And I seriously, for the first hike, I just had the two jeans, and that's what I rack up with. It looks like I racked up for a casual walk or a shopping trip or something. But anyway, when I went back to work, and and by then I had a few pants and I put on, and one of my colleagues, five years I've been working with her, sh she just opened her mouth and he you know, like you know, those expression when you're actually short. Yeah, George, yeah. And I'm like, what? What is there a spider in the one? You know, she's like, Sarah, you have legs like are you always injured? Like and the dresses is like heel height or scared. It's like uh so yeah, it and then even the little comments like my boss could say, Oh like even the good morning day where you say, Oh, you just lit up the room, your energy is so positive, oh you made my this these little things that I started hearing from people is you you know you've been transformed, you feel it inside you, but when this people start telling you my own son, you know, it's yeah, everybody can see it.

Host - Tracy 13:37

Wow, and so like just to sum that up, would you say that you went from I guess surviving to thriving?

Guest - Zahra 13:44

Yeah, in such a short time, yeah.

Host - Tracy 13:46

Pretty much in one weekend.

Guest - Zahra 13:48

In one weekend, yeah. And I even after that, when I saw the amazing kim again on our next hike, I was yeah, telling like how this whole trip really shifted my my my focus and changed my perspective of how I look at things. And it kind of flipped my whole world upside down in the best possible way. So I think I I I use very big words when I described it for her. That it's been so transformational, revolutionary. I don't know what else did I say? Awakening! I use very big words, and yeah, I really mean all of it. That was pretty special. Yeah, yeah. What that we can do, I didn't think it's gonna have that much impact. But yeah, I and I think the the good thing was that sometimes it those when they say like magic happens out of your comfort, so that's exactly what happens. Yeah, yeah. And it was a bit more than that because I then we in the process a lot of things were challenged in my head. Like, why am I always doing things a certain way? Is this this this is not like what my religion says. This is people saying this, and why am I even following it blindly? So it's little challenges like this in your brain too. And then once I did that hike, it was like yeah, huge.

Host - Tracy 15:08

Yeah.

Guest - Zahra 15:08

What was happening to me during that hike, and we can talk about that.

Host - Tracy 15:12

It sounds like you kind of you actually just got brave in that hike, you know. And just to clarify, the first hike weekend that you did was Albany weekend. The first hike you did was the Boldhead Trail, which is like a grade four. It's one of the trails, WA Top Trails. It is, how do I like to describe it? Ruggedly spectacular. It is challenging, it is very challenging, and you did that as your first hike. And from memory of what Kim told me, you had jeans on and the wrong sneakers, and really had bitten off far more than you could chew. Absolutely, but you guys did it, you felt amazing afterwards, and you backed it up the next day with another hike.

Guest - Zahra 15:55

Yeah, I had no idea what I am doing. To march the first day we went to the to the wind farm, and I thought the whole trip was gonna be like this. We're gonna have fun, take photos, you know. I had no idea what I'm up for. And then next day, you know, uh uh uh just this casual um rundown on WhatsApp, what you need, two liter water. Check, I had a two-liter bottle. Yeah, I had no idea that needed to be accessible. I thought we're just gonna, you know, take it and drink from it. You know, it was this little thing, how much, and I think that surprise came as well because she didn't know how much I don't know. Yeah, the scarf was out of wool, I was sweaty, the whole clothes was wrong, everything was wrong. To say, okay, I'm part of this group, I'm gonna do it with them. Yeah, I had no idea what I'm up for. And especially that bold head, yeah, you're right. It's like especially when you start, it's such a steep uphill. And I think there in my mind started like, what is this? You know, what are we up for? You know, but once we did it, and we that first uphill was over, yeah. I felt I guess better that we can do this, but there were still conflicting voices in your head, and like you were in my mind wanted to do it. I I don't know, something really in me that I'm like, I'm here, I really want to do this. But body was saying, what are you doing? I think we've all had those moments, don't worry. Yeah, and it's a lot of up and down that I feel like it is very challenging.

Host - Tracy 17:17

I have myself done it probably like five or six times, maybe even more, and still, you know, by the end of it, my legs are sore, I'm tired, and I'm I'm done. I'm like ready for like a dirty burger and like a cold drink. Like, you know, you are really you've you've earned it, you know. So I'd love to hear how you felt at the end of that hike, and you know, what kind of feelings were you having about what you had just done?

Guest - Zahra 17:38

Yeah, it wasn't easy, as we said, like I even slipped through some sections, but at the end I had these moments when I zoned out. I was in my own zone and I could see like him is checking to see if you're okay, but she let me have those moments. Maybe it's all this transformation was starting to happen, but maybe I didn't realize all the change, but it was like happening, yeah, all that changes, and yeah, it was great that accomplishment because it's uh what do you call it when you go and you have to come back? Oh that like a return. Yeah, yeah. So by by when we we were coming down the steps, and then I looked back and I'm like, oh my god, this is gonna be a nightmare to go back.

Host - Tracy 18:19

And I actually think going back is harder, to be honest. That last uphill, it just feels like it goes on forever, and you're like, surely we didn't come down this on the way.

Guest - Zahra 18:27

Exactly. Yeah, but kind of your mind knows what's to expect. You go, you block it out, you block out the trauma. Yeah, yeah. And it was uh school holiday, so the track was busy. Yeah, and I could see like um my son is uh alright, and other kids, and I'm like, sure I can do it, you know. So there was the confirmation in my mind that you can, but I was a bit conscious of the fact, am I slowing people down? Because you know, we had a range of people with us, but everybody was great, nobody made me feel insufficient or anything like that. So they were very supportive, like I couldn't have done it with a better bunch of people.

Host - Tracy 19:07

And I think we we are very lucky that we have like we attract really awesome people on our hikes that we're all there to lift people up, you know, the guides absolutely, but you know, the other hikers that we have there, we all just are there because we want to like feel the good vibes from nature and you know enjoy a beautiful trail, but we're also there because of the people, like we want to be there and connect with people as well. So it's very, very rare that we have someone on any of our experiences who wouldn't be lifting you up and you know helping you and supporting you. So I'm glad you had that experience. At any point, were you worried about meeting new people? Like, you know, who else were you going to be sharing that weekend with? Like, were you maybe am I going to fit in? Are they going to feel that it's strange having you know a teenage boy on the track? Like, were any of those thoughts going through your head?

Guest - Zahra 19:56

I think because um they pick up what's from the station, and when I saw the train, like immediately that that was like, what am I doing? I was almost like, I need to get out of here. When I saw the people, and again, like I'm spending next few days with a bunch of people I don't know. I've never done this. You're so out of your comfort zone. I'm so out of my comfort zone. I don't do things like this. Then she made a very close friend. And then that the whole the whole travel to Album because it's a few hours in that car, you know, that was awkward. I was very quiet, but still processing, like really tell the boss I'm going. Just stop now, I'm getting out. But I guess having Ammar really helped because he's the one who takes the edge off and he warmed up, you know, to everyone, maybe sooner than me. But yeah, that was that that's how it started. And then slowly, slowly, you know, over little chat, and you know, Kim was amazing to check with me if I'm okay, need anything, and the amount of information shared, you know, everything was just right. Yeah, the people, the track, the timing, uh like everything was like Zahra, just do it.

Host - Tracy 21:12

Yeah, just trust the process. Ammar, I heard that you were like so happy with all the food that you had that weekend.

Guest - Ammar 21:21

It was so tasty.

Host - Tracy 21:22

What was your favorite meal that weekend?

Guest - Ammar 21:25

The mush the mushroom burger with the very big chili sauce.

Host - Tracy 21:29

Oh, well, do you remember that that was from?

Guest - Ammar 21:32

I knew it was at a restaurant that was like kind of Yeah, we did drive to, I think. It was like uh very populated was it near a beach? Yeah.

Host - Tracy 21:44

Oh, so that was on the Friday night? Yeah, so that was the Highbala Tavern, I think, on the waterfront at Middleton Beach.

Guest - Ammar 21:50

I think that was like a smoking mushroom burger.

Host - Tracy 21:54

Oh, that does sound nearly hungry.

Guest - Ammar 21:58

But I remember what it looked like. Like it was like full of crumbled mushroom and it had like all the chili sauce.

Host - Tracy 22:04

Amazing. And did you have an awesome weekend hiking as well?

Guest - Ammar 22:08

Yeah.

Host - Tracy 22:08

What was your favorite hike that weekend? The album one.

Guest - Ammar 22:11

Even the legs were like dying.

Host - Tracy 22:14

I have seen the photos and the videos, and you were right up front. And you were doing very well. So you didn't let on that your legs were dying at all.

Guest - Zahra 22:22

At all. And he even spotted a tiger snake twice.

Host - Tracy 22:26

Amazing. So how was that? Like seeing wildlife like a tiger snake on your first hike?

Guest - Ammar 22:31

Pretty horrifying.

Host - Tracy 22:32

Horrifying? Tell me what you really think.

Guest - Ammar 22:36

What at the same time? And then when I was at the front with the stairs, I saw like a tiger snake in the bush, but not all of it. And Lily was with me. No, Lizzie, Lily? Lily? Liz, yeah. She was like, she was like right behind me, and I was like, oh tiger snake. And she like just saw the tail.

Host - Tracy 22:55

Well at least she got to see it, so no, you know, no one could say that you were lying or tricking him. Like Liz saw it too. I have a witness. You have a witness, that's right. There you go. Was there someone on that hike, Zahra, that weekend, that said something you'll never forget or gave you advice, or someone that made just really lasting impression?

Guest - Ammar 23:16

Can I explain it for her? Go for it, huh? So, like, there isn't a specific thing, but I know one. So my mum was like very like worried and nervous once she got to the destination. And she was like, she was wanting to question about like how long is this, how hard is it? But like Kim tried not to freak her out too much. Yeah, you know. So she was like basically just like keeping her calm, like being supportive and like not making her go into panic mode.

Host - Tracy 23:48

Yeah, amazing.

Guest - Zahra 23:49

Definitely. I think Kim stood out because she made me leave the moment. We were in the moment enjoying it. Let's just focus on one step at a time rather than worrying about what's coming, what's ahead. Yeah. Don't overthink it. Yeah, don't overthink it, exactly. So I think for me, yeah, learn to embrace more the right in our moment.

Host - Tracy 24:09

Yeah, isn't it funny what happens when we are more present in the moment rather than thinking ahead and thinking about the to-do list and all the other things that we have to do and where we need to get, but just be in the moment and enjoy. It's pretty powerful.

Guest - Zahra 24:23

Yeah.

Host - Tracy 24:23

Okay, when did you start feeling I belong here? In terms of the trail with OTBT, the community? Like when was that aha moment for you?

Guest - Zahra 24:32

Aha moment. Right in the Albany trip. Really? Yeah, straight away. Straight away from maybe second or third day. Wow. I just felt more comfortable. I felt more uh included. I didn't see myself as a burden in a way, you know. Nobody made me feel that way. Uh, Liz was so lovely, she just kept telling me all tips about her hiking, the hiking, what I need to improve on, right down to underwear and what you need. Oh, bless Liz.

Host - Tracy 24:59

She will tell you everything and give her give you all of her tips and tricks on hiking. She's a good egg. And you made a very good friend that weekend with Hina as well. You guys really hit it off. And then you shared the Cape to Cape weekend with her, is that right? Tell me about your friendship that's blossoming.

Guest - Zahra 25:16

Yeah, again, it was easy with to talk to these people. And for me, I was like initially in the you know, in the way to Albany, I'm like, how am I gonna get along with these people? This lady talks a lot, that one. Yeah, in my head, I was just doing these uh thoughts about if if this is gonna even work. Yeah, but it it was easy. I don't know, somehow everything just worked, and I guess with Hina was sharing our background story. You just need to find one common thing, and uh the rest follows on.

Guest - Ammar 25:51

They really started getting along during dinners.

Host - Tracy 25:54

Yeah, but you're just sitting and chatting.

Guest - Zahra 25:58

It could be just like something about you know, smotherhood that you talk about, or like how somebody treated you. You just need to find one common thing to be honest. And yeah.

Host - Tracy 26:08

And I guess that's the good thing about being on an extended trip like that weekend, is that you know you're all there because you love hiking in nature. So already you can trust that everyone has that commonality that you know you love the feeling you're gonna get being out there on the trails, and and you know, sometimes it's just saying that first word that comes out of your mouth, just saying one word and see what else comes out after that. It's just exactly the same as taking that first step and then seeing what happens and like just watching the magic unravel.

Guest - Zahra 26:36

Yeah, yeah. And what happened, I think, for me that weekend was fear was replaced with love. Like I started liking the process, I started like it wasn't just like I don't mind this. No, it was it was more like I like this, I like being around people, and I like spending time in nature. Like before then, I didn't challenge my body, I wasn't given opportunity, you know. We were heavily domesticated, so I never knew, and that sort of you know, yeah, that really broke that barrier for me to know I can belong to outdoors and it's not too late because yeah, all the time, you know, I put him in so many sports and activities, but I kind of put myself out of the picture thinking it's too late.

Host - Tracy 27:22

Yeah, I think we do that as mums. We're like, oh no, you know, I can't do that because I've got to work or I've got to, you know, I've got to take him to soccer or whatever it might be. And you know, you become the the bill payer and the cooker and the taxi driver, and you know, you become all of those things, but you actually forget to be you. Yeah. Whereas stepping out and doing something for yourself, I guess, allowed you to find your identity again, and that might have been a different identity than you used to have.

Guest - Zahra 27:46

Like because most of my life I've been this like people pleaser. Yep, right? You just so in the process you learn to get approval because you're always ticking somebody else's box, and in the process you forget about what actually I like. You never know, you haven't explored it. You just do things because maybe you're good at it or you've been told you're good at this, and then suddenly they become your hobby. But I think that weekend was the first time when I'm like I'm nobody encouraged me to do this. If anything, you know, I had backlash about it, and it was just purely for me to discover can I even do this? Wow.

Host - Tracy 28:24

And you absolutely nailing it, you're doing incredible things. Like, how is it making you feel like when you scroll the website or like you contact me and say, okay, I want to book in for you know Wolf Hole or like KTK for whatever it is that's going to be next for you, how does that moment feel for you when you've decided I'm going to hit another challenge or I'm gonna take on another challenge?

Guest - Zahra 28:47

Yeah, it's just a fear factor is broken. Yeah. You know, especially the Albany weekend that taught me that I can do two hikes back to back, you know. Uh because by the first day that after the bold head, uh my dead body was a wreck. I even told him, like, I don't think I can do tomorrow. Like, mine is there, but it's given up. This body saying I can't give you anymore. But uh she helped me with you know the electrolytes, I had a good night's sleep, and the recovery was good. The next morning I'm like, I'm actually feeling alright, you know. So I'm like, I'll give it a go. Yeah. And yeah, and it was doable and enjoyable. This time I enjoyed it more even than the first day. The forest. Yeah, so because uh half of the battle is up here, so yeah, things started to move. Maybe I was making that turning point.

Host - Tracy 29:39

Yeah, already, already one day in and you're transforming. Yeah, and you know what, you're right. It is like hike, I always say hiking is like 80% mental. Like you can actually do pretty much anything if you just set your mind to it. Yeah, it might take you twice as long as someone else, but that's okay, that's your journey, and you take the steps that you need to in your journey. Like something my wife says all the time is comparison is the thief of joy. So I try and remember that a lot and just you know live my own life, and and it sounds like you're doing exactly the same, which is amazing. This whole transformation that you've had since April, and what have you noticed in your everyday life? Like, how have things changed in your everyday life?

Guest - Zahra 30:19

Yeah, it's it's like a domino effect, really. It transfers to all areas, like because it puts me in a happier place. My son feeds from my energy, he says, Mom, you're happy. People at work uh giving me compliments that how even the way I hold myself, I come across more confident, they just can see the glow in you, the energy you bring to the room. And when you're happier, you do more things you want to. Yeah, even the things that you were doing is uh like no more at all, and also the other thing is learning to slow down and find joy in small things. Like before, I can totally ignore my surroundings, but now I don't know, somehow it's like all my senses are more hyperactive, like I notice more things, and I take little things like it could be a bee on a flower, so it amazes me. Like before, I'm like, why am I not even noticing these little things, right? And once all your senses engage, yeah, it just becomes more magical, you're just better in a better place, and you're more productive, and yeah, you you just have more time. All the things that you before you used to say, I can't do this, I don't have time, this all disappear somehow.

Host - Tracy 31:34

It's amazing. So I'm kind of picturing what you're saying, and I'm thinking it's kind of like your life has gone from grayscale to colour, uh-huh. Or like from like dull and you've turned the brightness up on everything. Exactly. Everything's a bit more vivid and like meaningful. That's pretty special. And have you noticed any changes to like your relationship with Ama or like your neurodiversity, or anything else that you have noticed a change as a result of I guess getting outdoors and hiking? I think Amma, have you noticed a change with your mum and your relationship?

Guest - Ammar 32:05

She's more happy and she's like more funny, more silly in a good way, more engaged.

Host - Tracy 32:14

Oh, okay.

Guest - Ammar 32:14

So tired.

Guest - Zahra 32:17

Yes. So all the good things?

Guest - Ammar 32:19

Pretty much.

Guest - Zahra 32:19

Yeah, like before, I would drop him to a class on Saturday, right? And I feel sorry for myself that I have to drive him there. I go back home. I barely have two hours for myself to go back and pick him up, right? I'm like thinking my whole Saturday gone. I'm not, I didn't do anything. But now I we go, we catch the train, I drop him, I'm like, I have four hours of working. I just make a walking trip for myself, and I started just you know, um, exploring little places around Perth. I'm thinking I don't even need to go that far to be amazed or explore things. Like, I've been here for so long, I haven't done these things. Amazing, what a trick a shift in your mind that is. Yeah, make it a win for yourself.

Host - Tracy 33:02

Okay, I've got like a really important question now. Like really important. Uphill or downhill? What's your favourite? Can I say neither?

Guest - Zahra 33:14

No, you have to choose one. Okay, I have to choose one. Gonna be downhill. Downhill.

Host - Tracy 33:20

I find me to be a much more of a downhill person. What about you uphill or downhill? Flathill. I don't think that counts, but okay. I think we all have a bit of flat, you know, but if we don't have an uphill, we don't have that amazing view. So that's the way I'll look at it. And downhill for me, that's definitely my strength. So what is next for you? Like what what have you got in your mind that you'd like to achieve next in terms of hiking or a particular trip for a particular hike or something you want to do next?

Guest - Zahra 33:51

Well, I guess there's a lot that I haven't explored, so I would like maybe to do camping. Yeah, uh maybe more so that I would do a summit of some sort. I see stilling range in your future.

Host - Tracy 34:04

Yeah, yeah.

Guest - Zahra 34:05

So just keep keep it uh going, I guess.

Host - Tracy 34:08

Yeah, just keep doing things for you that fill your cup. Yeah, absolutely. And do you think that a ma's going to be beside you on every hike and adventure and challenge in the future? He's nodding. Oh my god, that's so cute. I love that you're wanting to be there next to your mum and sharing the joy with your mum. That's so amazing.

Guest - Ammar 34:29

We also want to bring it.

Host - Tracy 34:31

Of course.

Guest - Zahra 34:31

I guess you guys are like best friends, right? Yes. This made us even closer, to be honest. Like we've always been because we've been through thread all together since the start. But yeah, when you do things like this, and especially like with that first hike, I was looking like, oh, he's the he became my motivation. Like, oh, I can't. I'm a role, I need to set a role model here. So I can't give up. There is no way. So it's good, like we motivate each other, we put each other in better spaces. So and and yeah, I think this is my uh focus on parenting. That I didn't always want to be the authority figure. I wanted to give him the space for him to express himself, to be confident, be my friends in the process. So yeah, we keep it going, but I can't promise it's gonna be with me in every like.

Host - Tracy 35:21

No, but you know what? Like the fact that you guys want to, and you'll I'm sure you'll do what you can to make it happen. Do you think in 10 years from now you'll still be, you know, looking ahead at you know what challenges you can do together out on the trails? And okay, alright. Let's do a quick fun one. Rapid fire. First thing that pops in your head. Oh my gosh. Okay. I'm not good in those. No, me either. Coffee before or after a hike?

Guest - Zahra 35:44

Before.

Host - Tracy 35:45

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset. Bush or beach? Bush. Mountains or waterfalls? Waterfalls. Favourite snack? Cookies. Cookies. Everything sugar related.

Guest - Zahra 35:55

That snack for me would be date balls.

Host - Tracy 35:58

Date balls? What am I? I make them at all. Oh, well, have you got some in your bag to share? Okay. Favourite OTB morning tea.

Guest - Zahra 36:09

All of it. The the the the cum tea. That's mine too.

Host - Tracy 36:12

Favourite trail so far.

Guest - Zahra 36:14

Must be boldhead. Boldhead.

Host - Tracy 36:16

And me it's Albany. Albany. The bold head trail as well. Yeah, okay. One word to describe hiking.

Guest - Zahra 36:23

Hiking is living.

Host - Tracy 36:26

Living. Ooh, I think I'm gonna cry. That's beautiful. I'd just like to finish by coming back to something that you wrote and shared with me, and that was I started living in April. If someone's listening today and feels like they're still waiting to start living and they might be surviving rather than thriving, what would you say to them?

Guest - Zahra 36:46

I think it sometimes it's easy to tell people just take the first step, but I think you just need to also acknowledge the journey to it because the everybody's challenges and obstacle towards taking that step is what's preventing them for so long, and that's what happened to me. And so why would I say to them? I guess how do you create that space to take that first step? It could be the right person with you, could be the right people, right guide, you know. So for for me, I think yeah, once all those factors were in place, it just became possible. Yeah, if it didn't go right the first hike, I think I wouldn't have continued. Yeah. I think you just need to start and experience that little bit of success and then you get hooked.

Host - Tracy 37:33

Yeah, absolutely. And hopefully anyone that comes out and shares a shares a trail with us has that first bit of success and that feeling that that I hope everyone gets when they step out on the trails, and that just is enough encouragement to keep on going, and hopefully everyone has those transformative moments as well.

Guest - Zahra 37:51

Yeah, and you know, you is even like I before even meeting you, you know, just reading through the OTBT Connect community, it just feels so warm and welcoming space, and that also really helped. Yeah. Yeah, to feel like it's okay, you know, I can be part of this group.

Host - Tracy 38:11

Absolutely, and it was actually really funny. We had been emailing each other back and forth for months, and I'd heard so much about you guys out on the trails through Kim and Ash and other guys, and then I finally got to see you at the Awaken event on the first of June, and I turned around and knew straight away that it was you, and I'm like, and I just like ran straight up to you and gave you a hug like I'd just like I'd known you for so long. And I think that's just the power of community, right? Yeah, it was pretty special. Zahra, thank you so much. Thank you for your honesty, and thank you for reminding us that courage isn't about being fearless, it's simply just about taking that first step. Your story is proof that one decision can change far more than just a weekend. It can change the way you see yourself, it can change your everyday life. That's exactly why we created OTBT. Not just to help people discover incredible places, but to help people discover what they're capable of. If you've enjoyed today's episode, please share it with someone who needs a little encouragement to take their own first step. And until next time, keep exploring, keep connecting, and we'll see you out on the trail soon.