Larissa Mueller took a leap of faith when she proposed to her partner Alex McFarlane in Kerikeri on Leap Day last year. The happy couple first met through friends 12 years ago, and dated for four years before breaking up and eventually reconnecting.
But proposing to her man is not the gutsiest thing Larissa has done. The 33-year-old has circumnavigated New Zealand on horseback, a journey that took six years, two horses and notched up 9075 kilometres.
Through it all, Larissa has gone from experiencing bouts of depression to being more content than ever, and from feeling like a failure to learning it’s giving things a go that ultimately matters.
“I’m such a different person to when I started,” Larissa reflects, before sharing the deeply personal motivation which drove her to set off around the South Island on horseback with friend Kendall Waugh in 2014.
“When I started with Kendall, I said, ‘If I quit this, it’s going to be bad, because it’ll be yet another thing I’ve quit.’
“I was getting into depressive episodes because I’ve often felt like a quitter, whether it’s taking up paragliding lessons, trying to learn guitar or quitting jobs. It made me feel hopeless. So, there was a huge drive to finish this, but ironically, the trip taught me that it’s only if you don’t try that you fail! If it doesn’t work out, you learn from it – every experience is valuable.”
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 31, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 31, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame