In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Heart Beats & Strides, host Dawn sits down with Michelle — a mother, trail runner, and advocate whose life changed after the stillbirth of her daughter, Celeste, in 2001.

Michelle shares the intimate story behind her 1,000km run from Seacliff to Port Melbourne to raise awareness for stillbirth in Australia and support the work of the Stillbirth Foundation Australia. That journey inspired the documentary “Her Name Is Celeste”, created to honour Celeste while giving a voice to families who have experienced unimaginable loss.

Together, Dawn and Michelle explore:

• How grief led Michelle to trail running and endurance

• What motivated her to quietly plan a 1,000km journey

• The impact of community and connection in healing

• The emotional and physical toll of multi-day ultra running

• Injury setbacks and the mental strength required to continue

• What introversion looks like inside running communities

• Why purpose is everything when the kilometres get hard

• The importance of health checks, blood tests, and safe endurance training

• How running became a peaceful space after losing Celeste

This episode is honest, grounding and deeply human. Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that movement can be medicine — and that purpose can carry you through the hardest moments.

Documentary Mentioned:

Watch Her Name Is Celeste on Vimeo (all proceeds donated to stillbirth support).

Find Michelle

https://www.instagram.com/stillrunning_for_stillbirth/

Follow Dawn⁠ https://www.instagram.com/heartlineendurance/

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