Walking for AJ: One man’s 2,560 mile journey against silence, stigma, and suicide
Share this @internewscast.com


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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Quick-Thinking Teen Surfer Rescues Air Force Veteran After Dramatic California Wipeout

In Oceanside, California, a seemingly ordinary day at the beach turned into…

SNAP Funds May Deplete by November: What It Means for WIC Beneficiaries

(NEXSTAR) — With the ongoing government shutdown, over 40 million individuals face…

Maximize Your Medicare: Essential Tips for Navigating 2023 Open Enrollment and Ensuring Your Plan’s Fit

Open Enrollment Approaches: What You Need to Know About Medicare As the…

Discover the Most Commonly Mispronounced Places in Tennessee: Are You Saying Them Right?

For those venturing into the heart of Tennessee, whether as new residents…

Texas Governor Abbott Takes Aim at Professors Promoting Progressive Views

DALLAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying his efforts to eliminate…

Urgent: Congressional Action Needed as Trump’s $8 Billion Military Fund Depletes, Threatening Troop Salaries

As the deadline approaches, the Trump administration’s temporary solution to ensure service…

Join the Spooktacular Fun: Downtown Kingsport’s ‘Trick or Treat on the Street’ Celebration!

In Kingsport, Tennessee, the downtown area experienced a delightful transformation on Saturday…

Discover the Rich History of the Now-Demolished East Wing of the White House

WASHINGTON – Betty Ford famously remarked that while the West Wing serves…

Breaking: Serious Watercraft Accident Sparks Joint Investigation in Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – On Sunday afternoon, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office…

Outrage Erupts: Lawmaker Challenges Light Sentence for Stillwater Teen in Shocking Rape Case

Editor’s Note: This article includes sensitive topics such as sexual assault that…

Arrests Made in Connection with Crown Jewel Heist at Paris’ Louvre Museum

A wedding couple hugs as visitors queue to enter the Louvre museum…

Moroccan Clerics Encourage Youth Engagement in Public Affairs Following Nationwide Protests

In the heart of Morocco’s capital, Rabat, a hush fell over the…