Editor’s Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988.
AUSTIN (KXAN) For Alex Bradley, fitness has always been about more than exercise. As a coach, he’s passionate about movement and the belief that we are better together than alone. But behind his drive lies a painful story, one that changed him forever.
A friendship that shaped a life
Bradley met AJ Johnson in middle school, but it was their freshman year in high school when the two became closer friends. AJ was full of energy, a natural entertainer who dreamed of being an actor. He had a gift for making people laugh, and even after moving to Chicago, the two stayed close.
But on Feb. 7, 2021, everything changed. AJ died by suicide at just 25-years-old. The news devastated his friend.
In 2023, one person died every 11 minutes from suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Suicides among men in that same year were almost four times higher than those among women, according to the CDC.
Looking back at the signs
In hindsight, Bradley now sees the subtle ways AJ had been reaching out.
Posts on social media carried hints of self-doubt, a quiet dimming of the glimmer that once defined him—just the day before AJ’s death, the two spent hours on the phone. Bradley was dealing with his divorce at the time and didn’t realize it would be their last conversation.
The Next Step Movement
Out of his grief, Bradley has chosen to create purpose. To honor AJ’s memory and raise awareness for mental health, he is embarking on a walk from Austin, Texas, to Oregon City, Oregon. This is a staggering 2,560-mile walk.
“This isn’t just a walk,” Bradley said. “It’s a revolution against silence, stigma, and suicide.”
Carrying AJ’s light forward
Along the trek, Bradley plans to host community events, share stories, and create spaces for open conversations about mental health. He is seeking support to cover meals, hydration, and outreach efforts as he takes this mission on the road. Bradley set up a GoFundMe with information about his mission.
For Bradley, it’s not only about reaching Oregon. It’s about carrying AJ’s light forward one step, one story, one life at a time.
