Locally known entrepreneur Julia Doherty was sitting on a plane with her finger hovering over the delete button for the iPhone email app. She was about to walk over 500 miles across Spain on the Camino De Santiago trail for five weeks, whilst enduring a digital detox.

Little did she know that this journey was about to change her life forever! In this inspirational talk, Julia will share her many lessons learned from this incredible journey. Some of the stories will make you laugh, others may fill you with emotion and some will simply make you cringe. Julia is a renowned speaker and her talks are from the heart as she shares the many situations that she found herself in when you only have two sets of clothes and a few mountains to climb!

In 2023, I set out on a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile odyssey through the deserts, mountains, and wilderness of the American West. Armed with a backpack, one set of clothes, and two pairs of knickers, I took on the ultimate test of endurance, courage, and self-discovery.

This raw and honest talk brings you into the heart of my journey:

• Encounters with nature’s extremes: Rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and raging rivers.
• Overcoming fears: From hitchhiking for the first time to navigating encounters with drug dealers in the Californian desert.
• Pushing limits: Ice-capped peaks, 100-degree desert heat, and snow-covered mountain passes.

But more than the physical challenges, this experience reshaped my view of what it means to be resilient, resourceful, and alive. It was a journey of solitude, grit, and triumph that taught me to trust myself, embrace discomfort, and find joy in the simplest of moments.

Whether you dream of your own adventure or are looking for inspiration to tackle life’s challenges, this talk is a vivid, unfiltered glimpse into what happens when you step outside your comfort zone and onto the trail of a lifetime.

🗻 Let me take you on the PCT – one step, one story, one life-changing moment at a time.

Who doesn’t want to be successful?

This 45-minute talk will walk you through the benefits of waking up early and will give you tools to overcome obstacles along the way. Let me be straight with you: waking up at 5 AM takes effort and discipline, even with purpose. It won’t magically change your life overnight and turn you into a super-human. But it will make a difference, progressively. Small habits compound and that’s how you change for the better and make a difference.

Join me as I share the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of hiking Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way – 96 miles of rugged beauty, challenging terrain, and personal growth.

From conquering the infamous Devil’s Staircase to facing the daunting shadow of Ben Nevis, and even surviving the relentless company of midges, this talk brings to life the true spirit of solo hiking.

I’ll take you through the breathtaking landscapes, the unexpected challenges, and the lessons learned about resilience, self-reliance, and the sheer joy of adventure. Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a dreamer yearning for the trail, or simply someone who loves a good story, this is a journey that will inspire, entertain, and ignite your wanderlust.

Step into my boots and experience the magic of Scotland’s wilderness!

Let’s delve into the wonderful world of journaling and explore the profound impact it can have on our mental health and overall wellbeing.

Grab a pen and a notebook, and join me on this journey as we uncover the ten compelling reasons why journaling is a powerful tool for cultivating a healthier mind and a more fulfilling life.

A good walk is not just about the occasional one-off feel-good factor. Being active has a whole range of benefits when it comes to both physical and mental well-being.

Julia will share with you her challenges and explain how the simple act of walking at least 30 minutes a day can create calm, clarity and space for new ideas to form. She will also share a few stories from members of her walking club who have suffered from mental health issues and are now seeing the benefits of this activity.