Philip Zollinger

Why I am walking again

This it the second time I'm joining "Walk for a Bloke".

The first time, I walked for awareness.
This time, I walk with more understanding.

Over the past year, I’ve become even more aware of how silent men can be when they struggle.

How easy it is to look “fine.”

How normal it is to say, “All good,” even when it isn’t.

As men, we’re often taught to cope quietly.

To solve.

To provide.

To push through.

We learn early that strength means endurance.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize:
Endurance without expression becomes isolation.

I’ve seen strong, capable men carry more than they should alone.

Men who show up for everyone else - but rarely for themselves.

Men who are admired professionally, yet feel disconnected personally.

And sometimes, the most dangerous struggles are the invisible ones.

What has given me hope is being part of a local group of men who simply show up.

No fixing.
No pretending.
Just showing up.

It’s a powerful mix -  different ages, different backgrounds, different stories.

Some share openly about their struggles.

Some just listen.

And even listening is powerful.

Because being in a room where honesty is normal changes something.

You realize you’re not the only one.

You realize strength can look different.

You realize silence is optional.

Walking is symbolic.
Step by step.

Conversation by conversation.
Breaking silence, slowly.

I’m not walking because I have all the answers.

I’m walking because I believe we need to normalize saying:

“I’m not okay.”
“I’m tired.”
“I need support.”

Real strength is not the absence of struggle.

It’s the courage to be seen in it.

If this walk helps one man feel less alone,
If it starts one honest conversation,
If it reminds one father, son, friend, or colleague that asking for help is not weakness —

Then every step matters.

If you’re reading this and something feels heavy:

You don’t have to carry it alone.

Let’s walk.
Let’s talk.
Let’s redefine what strength means.

And yes we have a local community which meets up during the year. Safe spaces.  It is also helping me reflecting my struggles.

“I remember one evening when a man simply said, ‘I didn’t know where else to go.’ Here I feel heard. That really helps. And the room just held him.”

That kind of detail makes it deeply human without oversharing.