Hello Walk Your Friends, Rob here. It was a beautiful day today (January 4) where I live so I wanted to share a bit of Surf City with you. I’d love to hear where you are from so please introduce yourself😊

My name is Rob Freidhoff and I’m the founder of Walk Year. I live in Hampstead, North Carolina and truly live where people vacation. My goal this year is to walk at least one mile every day for the year. Additionally, I have a mileage goal of 750 miles this year (which means I am going for the Epic tier…500-999 miles in one year). My Why for Walk Year I didn’t always struggle with my health. I grew up a four-sport athlete. Movement was normal. It was part of who I was. But over time — without even realizing it — life got busy, responsibilities grew, and movement slowly disappeared. It didn’t happen overnight. One day I looked up and found myself at 288 pounds, out of shape, and struggling to keep up with my own family. I’m a father of five sons, and there were moments when I couldn’t physically do the things I wanted to do with them and my bride of 22 years— or be the example I hoped to be. That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t just living for myself anymore. I began to feel God pressing on my heart that this wasn’t just about weight or energy — it was about stewardship. About obedience. About setting a physical example that matched the values I say I believe. In early 2025, I worked with my doctor to begin getting healthier. Then I committed to a 40-day fast in the fall, seeking the Lord, not answers — just clarity. It was during that fast that the idea for Walk Year came to me. Not a program. Not a challenge built on pressure. But a simple commitment to show up today. I started walking in July, and I haven’t stopped. While the scale reads nearly 50 pounds lighter, I’m thankful for the gift of progress. I’m healthier than I was. I have more energy. I feel more present. But I still have a long way to go. And that’s the point. Walk Year isn’t about arriving. It’s about choosing faithfulness today — and letting God handle the long arc of change. I walk because I want to be here longer. I walk because my sons are watching. I walk because obedience often looks ordinary.

Welcome to Walk Year! Please introduce yourself. Share: • Where you’re walking from • Why you’re doing Walk Year • What “showing up” looks like for you right now • Bonus Points - Share Which Walk Year Goal you are pursuing (see below) BONUS POINTS: Share Your TWO WAYS TO WALK YOUR YEAR You will help decide how to structure your Walk Year. For now, you can choose the approach that resonates most with you: 1️⃣ The Daily Commitment Path Walk 1 mile (or any daily mileage/step goal) a day, every day, for 365 days. This path is about consistency, discipline, presence, and small daily wins. 2️⃣ The Yearly Mileage Path Walk a total mileage goal across the year. (E.g., 250, 500, 1,000, or 2,500 miles.) Heck, you can pick both…walk every day AND go after a mile goal! This community grows through stories. Thank you for sharing!