CHAT SESSION 64 with Hayleigh Beach
Topic- Stride Sisters, an exclusive walking group for all women, creating a safe space to connect
Catch up and listen to our chat session https://megaphone.link/LCRUI6394147293
Monday 15th July 2024 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Hayleigh is a recent addition to Mount Martha, choosing to settle on the Mornington Peninsula at the start of 2023.
As a self-employed property and interiors photographer, she faced the challenge of re-establishing her business in this new, rural setting, whilst ensuring her children transitioned into the new community with ease. With her property photography client base continuing to grow at a steady pace, her focus has now turned to that of her second business, following a recent success in being awarded Bronze in the prestigious Fine Art Photography Awards for her Drone photograph. You will soon see Hayleigh selling her prints as a stallholder at the Racecourse markets and she is hoping to exhibit her award-winning pieces soon.
Seeing how beautifully her children sunk into new friendships, it became obvious that Hayleigh needed to do the same. She had been experiencing over the years a loneliness that perhaps other expats can appreciate, and it was this loneliness that became her desire to connect with women and form friendships that are deep, accepting and supportive. Missing childhood friends and the distance of being away from lifelong friends and family in the UK, seems to feel greater as you get older.
Born and raised in the UK, Hayleigh became a permanent resident of Australia in 2001. Having spent more than half her life with family at a distance, amidst the trenches of motherhood, self-employment, and a relationship breakdown during COVID-19 lockdowns, she felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. The need to connect on a more meaningful level became increasingly apparent.
It was during the Covid lockdowns, Hayleigh began moving her body more to manage the stress and anxiety of losing her business due to the excessive lockdown that was inflicted on Melbourne. With no means of income and no eligibility for government support Hayleigh found herself as many other creative small businesses did, in a loop hole of red tape that meant that her only way of supporting her children, was to sell the plants she propagated from her garden via an honesty box at her front door.
Navigating the emotions of leaving the family home at the beginning of the lockdowns and sharing custody of her three young children left her feeling isolated during the weeks without them. To manage her overactive mind, she walked with her camera and macro lens, capturing the beauty of tiny nature—ladybugs, flower petals—finding solace in the details of life. This combination of walking and her passion for photography greatly benefited her mood and mindset.
Socially awkward and often a wallflower, Hayleigh struggled with intense feelings of insecurity. She never felt like she fit in. School pick-up chats were never her forte, and with a knack for over sharing or saying the wrong thing, Hayleigh often opted to drop off her children at the gate, reducing the likelihood of needing to engage, but recognising that this was not a healthy approach to take. This mindset prompted Hayleigh to go on a journey of self-reflection and to seek support.
In 2023, at the age of 45, Hayleigh was diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis provided the validation she had long awaited and sparked a wave of self-education and understanding. Unpacking a late diagnosis and grappling with the grief of what could have been had the diagnosis come earlier, she seized the opportunity to step into her true self in a new location.
Here, she wanted to build a network of connections, knowing more about herself than ever before. Openly she shared her diagnosis and the struggles of mental health. She wanted to raise awareness about ADHD in women and provide a space to a community of women who can show up and be vulnerable, being there authentic self. To speak of our own insecurities and find connection with others in being compassionate and empathetic to each other’s struggles is a much-needed safe space that many women are seeking. With experience in infidelities and domestic abuse (coercive control) that Hayleigh is quite open to discussing one on one, she wanted to provide a platform for others who may also be feeling lonely, rejected or struggling with mental health, or who may be feeling isolated due to relationships at home.
In July 2023, she founded Stride Sisters, an exclusive walking group for all women, creating a safe space to connect. Open to all ages over 18 and all fitness levels, Hayleigh wanted to promote an environment for the most reluctant residents to emerge. She developed a Facebook page, created events, and posted the group on local noticeboards. The response was overwhelming, with over 500 comments on her posts, highlighting a clear need for meaningful connections among women.
The first walk saw five women show up, that’s 5 more than Hayleigh anticipated. As they walked along the estuary boardwalk, a melody of curiosity, warmth, and polite conversation unfolded. Watching the sunrise from the sloped pathway at the end of South Beach brought a harmonious pause to admire the colours before walking back along the shoreline.
Twelve months later, the group continues to meet, forming lasting friendships and actively participating in each other’s lives. Members share updates, ask questions, and care about each other’s well-being, always welcoming new faces. At Stride Sisters, Hayleigh's intention is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for women to move their bodies while fostering community relationships. Open conversations about life experiences, triumphs, and struggles are encouraged without judgment.
Through Stride Sisters, Hayleigh found a beautiful friendship in Kerstin, who has attended since day one. The two discovered many symbiotic factors in their lives—they live 800 meters apart, their children are in the same class, and other coincidences. They both know they wouldn't have met without Stride Sisters. Hayleigh hopes many more women can find similar connections by joining Stride Sisters, expanding the network, and allowing more leaders to step in and lead walks at different times to accommodate those who can’t make the early morning events.
Since its inception, Hayleigh and Kerstin have developed a daily ritual of meeting at the beach for a dip in the ocean. After nearly 365 days of almost daily dips, this ritual has become a tradition at the end of Stride Sisters walks.
Now, ladies who want to join in, can strip down and take a dip in the ocean, even in the middle of winter. This practice brings a sense of achievement, satisfaction, and numerous health benefits. Each week, more women join in the post-walk dip, embracing this uplifting tradition.
Hayleigh hopes that many more women choose to embrace the beauty of vulnerability, whilst fostering deep connections and creating lifelong friendships. She welcomes you to join the Stride Sisters Society today and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and endless laughter. With lots of plans to bring more education & information in mental health, well-being, self-care and love to the sisters of the community, Hayleigh hopes for the continued growth of this heart-warming network.
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
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