More Than a Trek | Her Trails Larapinta Retreat Experience
Mar 11, 2025
A Story of Strength, Sisterhood & Self-Discovery
Standing 1,380 metres above sea level at the summit of Mount Sonder, Body+Soul Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Mooney looked around at the incredible women beside her: firefighters, actors, pub owners, executives, and even a former MasterChef contestant.
"Achieving a genuinely hard feat together was a metaphor not just for this experience, but for life."
Each of them had pushed through exhaustion, fear, and doubt to reach this moment.
In her powerful Body+Soul article, Jacqui shares her experience on the Her Trails Larapinta Retreat, led by Samantha Gash, endurance athlete and social impact entrepreneur.
But this journey was never just about hiking.
More Than a Trek—A Journey of Growth
Over five unforgettable days, a diverse group of women tackled sections of the 230km Larapinta Trail, navigating:
- Steep red slopes
- Dry river valleys
- Wildflower-filled meadows
At night, they camped under the stars, shared stories by the fire, and built a sisterhood forged in shared discomfort: blisters, heat, aching legs, and all.
But more than anything, they discovered the power of lifting each other up, sometimes literally.
When Jacqui struggled on a rocky ascent, actress Marny Kennedy reached out a reassuring hand and said, "I’ve got you."
When the group was racing to summit Mount Sonder before sunrise, Sam unstrapped Jacqui’s pack, threw it onto her own 152cm frame, and said, "No one is missing this."
These moments weren’t just about getting to the top, they were a reminder of what happens when women support each other unconditionally.
"At times, the trek felt like a metaphor for life itself—the discomfort, the doubt, the moments you’re convinced you can’t go on. And then suddenly, you take one more step. And another. Until you realise: you’re stronger than you ever imagined." – Jacqui Mooney
An Invitation to Redefine What’s Possible
The Her Trails Larapinta experience isn’t just about covering the distance.
It’s an opportunity to:
✨ Unplug from the noise of everyday life
🌿 Reconnect with yourself and nature
🔥 Redefine your limits and discover new strength
Something powerful happens when women carve out space for themselves—when they step into challenge, embrace discomfort, and emerge bolder, braver, and more alive than ever before.
Are You Ready to Step Into Your Own Adventure?
With only 2 places left for our April 21–27 retreat, now is your chance to experience this transformative journey of endurance, connection, and self-discovery.
👉 Explore our upcoming retreats: https://access.hertrails.com/events
📖 Read Jacqui Mooney’s full Body+Soul article: https://lnkd.in/g-FNhYnM
This isn’t just a trek. It’s an invitation to find your trail.
#FindYourTrail #HerTrails #WomenWhoRun #LarapintaTrail #Adventure #StrengthInSisterhood
Step Into a Space That Backs You
At Her Trails, we don’t just celebrate women, we back them, create space, and build community.
Our Immersive Retreats offer the time, support, and connection to grow: not just in adventure, but in life.
🌿 Step into nature, away from the noise
💬 Connect with women who champion each other
🔥 Carve out space for your goals, your voice, your strength
Real change starts when we back ourselves, and each other.
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