JULIE Warburton had a lot of time to think and reflect during her 800km, six week trek along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain in 2014.
She returned a changed woman; now she is hoping to pass on some of what she learned to others.
A stress and resiliency specialist, the Kardinya resident wanted to put her own willpower to the test by carrying a 12kg backpack for up to 28km per day along the historic route.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“I went over with a friend but she got injured halfway through and so I ended up completing the second half on my own,” Mrs Warburton said.
“Carrying that heavy backpack every day was hard work but really a great analogy for life.
“I was constantly looking at what I could take out of the backpack to lighten the load and make my journey easier.
“We all carry ‘backpacks’ in day-to-day life made up of our tasks and responsibilities and our own choices can influence how big of a burden that is.”
A former paediatric nurse and midwife, Mrs Warburton returned from Spain determined to renew her focus on the health and wellness of women.
“My business as a stress and resiliency coach organically drew me more and more towards the corporate world but I really missed working specifically with women,” she said.
“That was a really big part of my previous career and something I wanted to return to so I’ve developed workshops specifically for women that give them simple tools and strategies to create more peace and wellness through stress management and resilience.”
Mrs Warburton is now offering one of those workshops for just $35 with all proceeds going towards the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
The fundraiser comes ahead of Mrs Warburton’s participation in the 30km Walk for Women’s Cancer in May, one of the Harry Perkins Institute’s biggest annual fundraisers.
The two-hour workshop takes place from 6.30pm on Wednesday, April 26 at the Melville Recreation Centre.
For more information and expressions of interest in the workshop email julie@juliewarburton.com.au