7 Pairs of Shoes.
10,000 Kilometers.
Breaking the Silence,
One Step at a Time.
Sometimes, the longest walks are the ones we cannot see.
These internal battles we face are arguably the most challenging obstacles human beings are confronted with.
As a living metaphor for these physical, mental, emotional, and metaphysical trials we all face, Danny Gallagher (aptly referred to as “The Walker”) will be embarking on world record 10,000 kilometer / 6,214 mile walk across Japan.
His journey is a monumental undertaking that will most likely take two to three years to complete. Starting from Tokyo, he will traverse the country, covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. In doing so, The Walker will be the first in the entire world to accomplish this feat.
Danny hopes that by showcasing this long journey, he can inspire young people to "KEEP WALKING" when life gets tough.
EVERY JOURNEY
BEGINS WITH A
SINGLE STEP…
Adheres to Guinness World Records Japan guidelines.
All accessible roads and paths are valid; no retracing of steps allowed.
Routes must cover new ground every day.
Recovery breaks are allowed to prevent exhaustion and burnout.
No limit on the number of breaks, but each break cannot exceed 14 days.
Flexibility is built in for unforeseen circumstances or extended rest.
THIS IS
PERSONAL
Joined by The Brother (Sean Osada), The Walker (Danny Gallagher) travels alongside bereaved families, mental health professionals, celebrities, influencers, change-makers, and thought leaders.
Together, they seek empathy and understanding for mental illness, as he carries the shoes across Japan, sharing the untold stories and triumphs of the lives lost and sparking an important conversation about this stigmatized topic.
Their personal journeys and mission to champion mental health in Japan are deeply rooted in their own experiences.
Sean faced pressure from societal expectations as a child actor at the mercy of the brutality of the Japanese entertainment industry, leading to severe depression and suicidal behavior into his teens to early-twenties.
Danny battled bullying, depression, suicidal ideation, morbid obesity, and substance abuse from childhood into young adulthood. Most recently, he faced severe cyberbullying in 2018, leading him to take legal action to restore his reputation.
Their unique perspective as mixed-race Japanese provides them an advantage that transcends race and cultural barriers, allowing them to initiate bilateral conversations that Nihonjin are otherwise strictly “forbidden” from engaging in.
