In 2011, at the age of 31, Ursula was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and later spent 17 months walking around Wales raising money and awareness of ovarian cancer. Since the walk, Ursula went on to write a book about her experience “One Woman Walks Wales”.
During this podcast we learn more about Ursula’s early life, when she discovered that she did have stamina, leaving school after doing her GCSEs and spending time with her sister in Spain, as well as her kayaking journey down the river Danube with no experience.
Ursula shares more about the challenges she has faced and overcome, what she has learned on the way and how she has struggle with self confidence and belief, but also why she knows she is a work in progress.
After living in a van and working for a number of years to save money, Ursula at 39 was finally ready to head back out to the Ukraine to start her walk home across Europe.
*Due to the Corona virus Ursula is now in lockdown in France. Ursula will continue her journey when it is safe to do so.
Listen to Ursula Now!
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Show notes
Childhood memories
Finding out that she did have stamina
Counselling
Deciding to go travelling at 29
Dreaming of travelling around East Europe
Going to live with her sister in Spain
Kayaking down the Danube River with no kayaking experience
Let’s just see what happens
Being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (Stage 1 A) - December 2011
Having no support and no shelter
Staying on friends sofa’s
Needing to have checks up’s post treatment
Deciding to walk to hospital appointments
Finding out she was still capable
Deciding to raise awareness (in 2012) about Ovarian Cancer and its symptoms
Dealing with uncertainty
13 months on the road walking 3,700 miles
Dropping out of school after GCSEs
Never thinking she was capable of writing
Struggling with self confidence
Getting in contact with Honno Publishing
Why writing a book is similar to an endurance challenge
Being a work in progress
Deciding to walk across Europe and where the idea came from
Planning the adventure
“If I was going to do this, what would I need?”
How to prepare for a challenge without getting overwhelmed by the idea of the challenge
Leaving for Ukraine in August 2018
Not being able to write the book and save for adventure at the same time
Living in a van for 3 years and doing house sitting to save money
Not being focused on luxuries
Being determined to achieve her goals and being able to save up enough money
Being terrible at planning
Not picking a specific route….
Just walking as far as she can each day - there is no judgement on distance
Hitchhiking 3 days to the start line in Kiev in the Ukraine
Reasons for hitchhiking
Having one day off a week
Starting walking as early as possible
The route
The impact of corona virus
Being in full lockdown in France
Asking for help in France and finding a place to stay
Isolation and loneliness
Adjusting to the new normal
Living on the generosity of others
The mindset on having enough
Making the journey with a book in mind
Trying to stay off her phone
Writing to photos
Keeping a healthy and happy mind and body
How you can follow along and support Ursula
Final words of advice
Whatever you are is enough - whatever you can do is enough
Social Media
Website https://onewomanwalks.com
Support Ursula via Patreon
Instagram @onewomanwalks
Facebook @OneWomanWalks
Twitter @WomanWalksWales
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