Two weeks after completing her third Project 1000, I sat down with Natalie Dau to talk about what was left behind, not just physically, but mentally.

Because feats like this are easy to summarise. Seven days. One country. Another finish line crossed. But those numbers don’t really tell you much about the experience itself.

What interested me more was everything in between.

The journey

We started with the night before it all began: that strange space where preparation meets reality. Even with all her experience, there’s still that question in the back of her mind: what have I signed up for? Then come the early days, where the body is still finding its rhythm, but the unpredictability has already begun. Not everything goes to plan, and adapting becomes part of the challenge.

As we spoke, it became clear that this wasn’t just a physical effort. Some of the hardest moments weren’t about distance, but about managing her own thoughts. The long stretches on the road, the fatigue, and the constant question of how to keep going.

Even with a full support team, there were times that felt surprisingly lonely. Hours where it was just her, the road, and the decision to take the next step.

She also shared how this third challenge felt different. The experience didn’t make it easier but it helped her handle the tough moments better, and make quicker decisions when things didn’t go to plan.

Finishing

A big part of that came back to purpose. This wasn’t just about finishing. It was about the impact behind the project, and that gave her something to hold onto when things got difficult.

By the time she reached the finish line, it wasn’t just about completing the run. It was about everything it took to get there.

There’s more to her story that’s hard to capture on paper but you can feel it when you hear her talk about it.

The full interview is worth the watch.