Over the course of 148 days, Myles Dininio embarked on an extraordinary journey, running almost 8,000 kilometers across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Despite the immense physical feat, the 40-year-old father from Ontario found that his sense of accomplishment was not what he had expected.
Reflecting on his cross-country run, Dininio expressed, “It never felt like a sense of accomplishment or a great achievement. I’ve been trying to process the end of it all, and understand what it is I am feeling.”
Beginning his trek on April 1 from Newfoundland and concluding in Vancouver on August 22, Dininio’s mission was to raise awareness about mental health and gather funds for Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
The motivation behind his journey was deeply personal, with Dininio sharing, “Mental health has affected me my whole life. From a very young age, I had little issues that I didn’t realize were known as mental health issues.”
Throughout his arduous journey, Dininio faced physical fatigue, solitude, and a constant mental battle. Despite contemplating quitting numerous times, he persisted and was deeply impacted by the individuals who joined him for parts of the run, offering support and sharing their own mental health struggles.
The encounters along the way transformed the purpose of his run. Dininio discovered that the conversations and connections made during his journey held more significance to him than the funds raised. By the end of his run, he had raised over $50,000 for CAMH.
Returning home to Ontario after months on the road, Dininio emphasized the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and fostering open conversations.
The overarching message of his trek goes beyond the physical accomplishment of traversing the country. It serves as a reminder that no one has to face mental health struggles alone, and that sharing stories and seeking support is crucial.
