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Anton heads down Broad St in Bethlehem on his way towards Easton<\/p>\nBETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Stopping in downtown Bethlehem during his extraordinary barefoot trek across the United States, Dutch Army veteran Anton Nootenboom sat down for an exclusive interview with Lehigh Daily at Urbano on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The mission: raise awareness about men\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n
Anton is walking barefoot from Los Angeles to New York City. His journey, set to conclude on November 2 in Times Square, has garnered widespread attention, including over 1.2 million social media followers.<\/p>\n
His trek, which should set a Guinness World Record for the longest barefoot walk, is secondary to the more significant cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m walking barefoot across the United States to raise awareness for men\u2019s mental health,\u201d Anton explained during the interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lose one man to suicide every 14 minutes in the U.S., and globally, it\u2019s every minute. This is preventable if we start showing each other that it\u2019s perfectly normal to struggle and speak up when we need help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anton\u2019s decision to undertake this journey stems from his struggles with mental health. \u201cA few years ago, I hit a low point\u2014heartbreak, financial pressure, losing my identity after leaving the army. It wasn\u2019t about Afghanistan; it was life,\u201d he reflected. \u201cReaching out for help wasn\u2019t easy, but I learned that speaking up is an act of bravery, not weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond raising awareness, Anton\u2019s trek is a testament to the resilience of the human body and mind.<\/p>\n
He has endured harsh conditions along the way, including walking barefoot through the snow-covered Rocky Mountains.<\/p>\n
Anton heads down Broad St in Bethlehem on his way towards Easton<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019m the only person to have crossed the Rocky Mountains barefoot through the snow,\u201d Anton said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a little crazy, but I want to show people that we are capable of so much more than we think.\u201d<\/p>\n
This trek isn\u2019t Anton\u2019s first remarkable feat. In 2021, he set the world record for the longest barefoot walk in Australia, an experience that tested his endurance and prepared him for his current journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually said I\u2019d never do it again because it was so physically and mentally demanding,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut three years later, here I am because I knew this walk could make a difference for someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
The physical challenges have been significant. \u201cThe Mojave Desert was one of the hardest parts\u2014just rocky roads and relentless heat,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor three and a half months, we had temperatures in the 90s and 100s. The Midwest humidity was brutal, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite these hardships, Anton remains committed to his cause. His girlfriend accompanies him on the journey, driving a camper van and caring for a puppy they found outside of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s keeping me alive,\u201d Anton joked. \u201cThere\u2019s so much to organize to keep this going, but we\u2019re making it work.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his journey has taken a physical toll\u2014Anton has lost over 25 pounds and burned through an estimated 1.5 million calories\u2014staying healthy on the road has been one of his most significant challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cEating healthy in the U.S. is almost impossible,\u201d Anton admitted. \u201cWe do what we can, especially in small towns where fast food is often the only option. Out west, we cooked for ourselves, but in bigger cities, we try to find healthier choices.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sleeping arrangements are equally tricky. \u201cWe mostly sleep in the camper van, which has been a lifesaver. It\u2019s far from luxurious, but it gets the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n
And his feet? \u201cThey\u2019re struggling, for sure,\u201d Anton said. \u201cThe nerve endings are bruised from stepping on little rocks all day, which feels like stepping on Legos. But I want to show that, like in life, you push through when things hurt. The body is capable of more than we give it credit for.\u201d<\/p>\n
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We wish Anton farewell as he makes his way towards Easton<\/p>\n
As Anton nears the finish line, he\u2019s calling for others to join him on his final mile.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn November 2, we\u2019ll gather at Madison Square Fountain at noon and walk to Times Square,\u201d he urged. \u201cThe more people that join, the louder the message that no one is alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through his campaign, BraveMenTalk.com, Anton is raising $250,000 for U.S. mental health charities. Despite being short of his goal, Anton remains hopeful, having raised just over $65,000. \u201cThere\u2019s always momentum at the end,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
For those interested in following Anton\u2019s journey or contributing, more information is available on his social media channels (@TheBarefootDutchman) and his website, BraveMenTalk.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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