It's impossible to halt a journey intended to happen when it is supposed to.
Salut comment vas-tu? “Hi, how’s it going” in French. Didier is my name. This page is about me; there is no differentiation between me and my business. If it weren’t for re-discovering hiking in 2015, I would not be where I am today! This is why I want to share my story.
I was born in Vevey, a lake-side village in the French region of Switzerland and home of Nestle. My parents, sister and I immigrated here when I was six. I grew up in Rockingham, a small coastal city south of Perth, Western Australia. Hiking in Switzerland as a child is normal; families hunt for wild mushrooms through the Alps.
I have been a vegetarian for 30 years; I love cooking anything and Perth’s live music scene. I have two children, Kaitlyn, who is studying primary teaching at uni, and Oliver, who is at school. During the crazy beginning of COVID-19 in early 2020, I met Wendy, a passionate, independent, classically university-trained flautist and music Teacher. She is also a world-recognised weaver, which she learned while teaching music in parts of Asia, especially Bhutan. Wendy runs annual sold-out weaving tours (Textile Trails) to Bhutan.


As a kid and teen, I wanted to be outdoors, build cubby houses in the bush, and ride my bike long distances, as far as Jarrahdale 36km. I’d carry a backpack and camp in Gooralong Brook. I’d then hike along the Serpentine River, the very popular Kitty’s Gorge Trail. Though I don’t remember finding it far, I just did it.
During my early 20’s, I completed a Cert IV in Residential And Community Care With Children. I established an out-of-school childcare centre within a primary school and worked in juvenile detention centres for a while, but that wasn’t for me.
In the early ’90s, for over three years, I was employed as a Houseparent for Chidley Education Centre, a boarding school for country children with ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. It’s one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had; I’m still in contact with some former students.
I developed a genuine interest in travel and tourism. I enrolled in a TAFE travel course but didn’t complete it as I didn’t see a future in the industry. I returned a couple of times to Switzerland to live in my hometown of Lausanne and a ski resort called Zermatt, where I learned German. I have also worked for several years there and here in 5-star hotels.
I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with children, teens and adults from different backgrounds, including 20 years of mentoring in recreation, training, disabilities, and mental health sectors.
The moments that changed my life forever
In May 2015, I left my 20-year marriage, the most difficult decision ever; I felt like I had to. I was working and burnt out in an assessment/mentoring role with Edge Disability Employment Services, such beautiful people, a job I had loved for almost seven years. You can’t work in this industry if you don’t have your shit together.
The day I decided not to return home, it’s still very hard thinking about it. I got in my car, and instead of driving to work, I went to a private beach in Rockingham. I called my boss, Clinton, at Edge and broke down on the phone. He told me everything would be ok. He told me to find somewhere to stay and take the week off. Clinton told me he would organise for me to speak to someone as soon as possible. He booked a session for me with a Psychologist through work. Two days later, I went to see her. I can honestly say that I don’t remember much about that first session except for one moment. She asked, “Didier, tell me about a passion, an interest, something you enjoy doing just for you.” I was a blank sheet with no response. I couldn’t think of one thing. “I have some homework for you to do, Didier. That is not the answer or solution, but it will help you through this time. I want you to find a passion and a distraction if they are the same thing, perfect.” It may take some time to find the passion, but be willing for one to come into your life. I didn’t know it then, but it was one of the most profound pieces of advice I ever received.
Instead of attending a family lunch one day at my mum’s In July 2015, I randomly drove to Dwellingup. I had not been there for many years, and it sounded nice. The first place I went to was the Visitor Centre. They had a small museum at the back that I checked out first. I started looking around the brochures and saw some A4 printed maps. They were hiking maps in the area. One of the fantastic volunteers behind the desk asked me if I planned to hike. I replied I didn’t know. I suddenly remembered hiking as a teenager in Jarrahdale and how much I enjoyed it. I and physical exercise were foreign to each other. She started talking about hiking with me; it immediately felt like therapy.
The following weekend, I nervously went on my first walk in a Dwellingup forest in Nanga Mill; it was 2 km. I began hiking every weekend, mainly around Dwellingup. After a day hike in Dwellingup, I was in the visitors centre looking for my next challenge and getting more confident. Two girls in their mid-twenties walked in; they carried huge backpacks that towered over their heads. The girls were probably no more than 5 foot 3 tall. They were covered in dirt, had messy hair, and looked exhausted. But the most explicit message they portrayed was they looked so happy; they were beaming with happiness. The volunteer asked them if they were doing an end-to-end, and they replied, “Yes”. I had no idea what they were talking about. I had to go and interrupt their chat; their happiness was so contagious, and I was catching it.
The lady behind the desk told me they were hiking the Bibbulmun Track from end to end. I told her I had heard of it but knew little, even though I grew up in Perth. I asked her how long the track was; she replied, “1000 km from Kalamunda to Albany.” That was me at this time. I was stuck and suddenly felt shocked and tingling throughout my whole body, between being so inspired and suffocated with why it wouldn’t be possible. It’s too hard long; I couldn’t complete something this big. I kept reminding myself that I was not good at completing so many things because it was too hard. But also, this inevitable rush of energy went through me. I couldn’t stop it; I had to discover this Bibbulmun Track at least.
My first hike on the Bibbulmun Track was 9 km, and I became lost on the way back. It frightened me, and when I returned to my car, I told myself to take this hiking more seriously or quit. That week, I bought a map, compass, head torch, a better first-aid kit, etc.
After a few days’ hikes, I wanted to go hiking further and visit a Bibbulmun Track campsite and hut. They were too far for a day hike, so I started to study overnight hiking on YouTube. I had no gear at this point. I had to buy what I could on clearance and save up.
I completed my first overnight hike to Swamp Oak campsite in September and planned to complete a 3-day section with my brother-in-law Michael in October. I had not collected enough gear I wanted for a longer hike, and Michael couldn’t go due to work. I completed another overnight hike to Chadoora campsite in the opposite direction and then again to Swamp Oak. That night, while in the hut, something happened to me; I’d had enough of not making decisions and being too scared to do something I thought was too hard; I was fed up with myself.
“I’m going to hike all of it!” forget a few days or a week; I’m going to hike for two months. I will study, be prepared and do it. It was moving into the hotter weather and needed time; I knew it couldn’t happen until March. My birthday is March 20, so I thought, ok, I will start my Bibbulmun Track end-to-end on my 48th birthday. The following day, I raced back to Dwellingup. I was so excited. I was on pure adrenaline. It’s impossible to halt a journey intended to happen when it is supposed to.
I left the job I loved for my end-to-end to find myself again. Due to my current mental state, my work performance was not the standard I expected and needed to be. I knew completing this 1000 km walk would take every ounce of my being. I considered asking for two months’ leave, but I knew I would spend time thinking of a deadline during the hike instead of just being there on the trail.
A week before I began my end-to-end, I strained my lower back. I found a physio who was also a hiker; he told me to rest up for a few weeks and then return. On April 5 2016, I began.
It was about two-thirds through the hike that I had an inspiration. Observing my own most significant physical, mental and emotional transformation, what if I could take people with mental health hiking?
I’m planning to write a blog that will share my 68-day journey on the Bibb. I’ve also been interviewed on the radio about my journey and business.
Didier's Life and professional Experience
- Cert IV In Residential and Community Care With Children (aged 1-17)
- Over fifteen years of assessment and mentoring experience in disability, mental health, youth, recreation, employment and training.
- Three years as a Houseparent for a boarding school for children (aged 8-13) with Attention Deficit Disorder
- 2012 Edge Employment Solutions Employee Of The Year voted by his peers. Edge is a leading Australian (DES) Disability Employment Service.
- 2013 WA Disability Service Award Finalist for his work, passion and determination in disability employment services.
- In 2016, Didier completed a 68-day solo hike of WA’s 1000 km Bibbulmun Track to change his life.
- In 2017, Didier Walks, a DBCA Parks And Wildlife Service licensed hiking business focused on the mental, physical and emotional benefits, and Duke Of Edinburgh International Award Activity Provider.
- 2020/21 Life Paths & Naturbility – services for people with a disability and mental illness through the NDIS.
- 2023 The LifeTrail name was born. Authentic journeys to self-empowerment and independence through hiking and mentoring.
- To the present, I’ve completed almost 3000 km of hiking.
A Journey To Your Perfect Self was my daughter Kaitlyn’s year 11 Media documentry project. I was so happy and proud, when Kaitlyn chose to do it on how hiking transformed my life. At 14 she also designed the Didier Walks logo.