BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Stopping in downtown Bethlehem during his extraordinary barefoot trek across the United States, Dutch Army veteran Anton Nootenboom sat down for an exclusive interview with Lehigh Daily at Urbano on Tuesday.
The mission: raise awareness about men’s mental health.
Anton is walking barefoot from Los Angeles to New York City. His journey, set to conclude on November 2 in Times Square, has garnered widespread attention, including over 1.2 million social media followers.
His trek, which should set a Guinness World Record for the longest barefoot walk, is secondary to the more significant cause.
“I’m walking barefoot across the United States to raise awareness for men’s mental health,” Anton explained during the interview.
“We lose one man to suicide every 14 minutes in the U.S., and globally, it’s every minute. This is preventable if we start showing each other that it’s perfectly normal to struggle and speak up when we need help.”
Anton’s decision to undertake this journey stems from his struggles with mental health. “A few years ago, I hit a low point—heartbreak, financial pressure, losing my identity after leaving the army. It wasn’t about Afghanistan; it was life,” he reflected. “Reaching out for help wasn’t easy, but I learned that speaking up is an act of bravery, not weakness.”
Beyond raising awareness, Anton’s trek is a testament to the resilience of the human body and mind.
He has endured harsh conditions along the way, including walking barefoot through the snow-covered Rocky Mountains.
“I’m pretty sure I’m the only person to have crossed the Rocky Mountains barefoot through the snow,” Anton said with a laugh.
“It’s a little crazy, but I want to show people that we are capable of so much more than we think.”
This trek isn’t Anton’s first remarkable feat. In 2021, he set the world record for the longest barefoot walk in Australia, an experience that tested his endurance and prepared him for his current journey.
“I actually said I’d never do it again because it was so physically and mentally demanding,” he admitted. “But three years later, here I am because I knew this walk could make a difference for someone else.”
The physical challenges have been significant. “The Mojave Desert was one of the hardest parts—just rocky roads and relentless heat,” he shared.
“For three and a half months, we had temperatures in the 90s and 100s. The Midwest humidity was brutal, too.”
Despite these hardships, Anton remains committed to his cause. His girlfriend accompanies him on the journey, driving a camper van and caring for a puppy they found outside of Los Angeles.
“She’s keeping me alive,” Anton joked. “There’s so much to organize to keep this going, but we’re making it work.”
While his journey has taken a physical toll—Anton has lost over 25 pounds and burned through an estimated 1.5 million calories—staying healthy on the road has been one of his most significant challenges.
“Eating healthy in the U.S. is almost impossible,” Anton admitted. “We do what we can, especially in small towns where fast food is often the only option. Out west, we cooked for ourselves, but in bigger cities, we try to find healthier choices.”
Sleeping arrangements are equally tricky. “We mostly sleep in the camper van, which has been a lifesaver. It’s far from luxurious, but it gets the job done.”
And his feet? “They’re struggling, for sure,” Anton said. “The nerve endings are bruised from stepping on little rocks all day, which feels like stepping on Legos. But I want to show that, like in life, you push through when things hurt. The body is capable of more than we give it credit for.”
As Anton nears the finish line, he’s calling for others to join him on his final mile.
“On November 2, we’ll gather at Madison Square Fountain at noon and walk to Times Square,” he urged. “The more people that join, the louder the message that no one is alone.”
Through his campaign, BraveMenTalk.com, Anton is raising $250,000 for U.S. mental health charities. Despite being short of his goal, Anton remains hopeful, having raised just over $65,000. “There’s always momentum at the end,” he said. “We’ll get there.”
For those interested in following Anton’s journey or contributing, more information is available on his social media channels (@TheBarefootDutchman) and his website, BraveMenTalk.com.
