Anton Nootenboom, a 37-year-old Duch man, set out to walk across the US barefoot in February. Along his journey, he has just beaten the world record in Saint Louis, but he continues to his final destination in New York.
A war veteran, Nootenboom, now known as the Barefoot Dutchman, served 10 years in the army, having done 3 missions in Afghanistan. Returning home, like many other veterans, he struggled with mental health and fell into depression. After getting help and improving, he started walking barefoot in a move to raise awareness of men mental health and became the first person to reach Everest’s Base Camp barefoot.
Continuing on this mission, on 17 February this year, he set out on the longest barefoot walk in the world. He started on Santa Monica Beach in California, aiming to finish the journey in New York City, walking 19-20 km a day.
“We’re still stuck with this old belief that expressing emotions and vulnerability is a weakness, leaving many men hesitant to speak up. Sadly, it results in too many struggling with depression and, at its worst, loosing a man to suicide every minute of the day globally. But here’s the real deal – speaking up is an act of courage, a new level of braveness. Sharing your story can be a lifeline, for you and everyone around you. Let’s create a world where women and men are brave enough to speak up”, Nootenboom says.
On Sunday afternoon, he beat the previous world record for walking barefoot, which was set by the Polish Paweł Durakiewicz in April, who walked 3,409.75 km around the Iberian Peninsula. Reaching Saint Louis, in the state of Missouri, he completed 3,468 km in 175 days.
Having crossed desserts and frozen landscapes, going on, literally, through rain or shine, his spokesperson said Nootenboom is “completely exhausted” and “suffering with boiling hot roads”. Despite the challenges, he walks on, aiming to complete the other 1,700 km to New York. He should be reaching Times Square on 2 November, according to the spokesperson.
“Going barefoot isn’t just about feeling the earth beneath your feet – it’s a powerful form of self–care with significant mental health benefits. By connecting our feet to the ground, we stimulate nerve endings, promoting a deeper connection with our surroundings and reducing stress and anxiety, fostering mental well–being”, Nootenboom wrote on the crowdfunding page. “The soles of your feet have numerous nerve endings. Going barefoot allows these nerves to be stimulated, providing sensory feedback that is beneficial for brain health and cognitive function.”
So far, the mission has raised €21,788 of a €250,00 goal. The money goes to different organizations supporting men mental health and, through them, Brave Men Talk says they have saved the lives of 871 people.
