KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Anton Nootenboom is walking barefoot from Los Angeles to New York City to bring awareness to men’s mental health, an issue he’s dealt with personally.

You’ve heard of the Flying Dutchman, but what about the Barefoot Dutchman?

“If you start walking barefoot, you have like a million radars all of a sudden added to your brain because I see everything laying on the ground,” Nootenboom said.

He started his cross-country journey in February in L.A. Now he’s made it to the heartland.

“The Mojave Desert was challenging. Like, going over the Rocky Mountains into the snow, really cold,” he said.

He’ll take a quick break during the day when the heat makes walking dangerous. But one step at a time, his goal is to get to NYC — barefoot.

“These days, you’re going to have to come up with something out of the ordinary and challenging to get people’s attention, but most importantly to keep people’s attention,” he said.

His sole purpose is to raise awareness and funds for men’s mental health, something the Dutch Army veteran has dealt with personally. It’s on this journey that he’s heard about others’ experiences with mental health, including a story from a U.S. Marine.

“He told me the stories he went through — that he is still here on this planet is a miracle — and he now uses that as a power to create a change in his community for veterans,” Nootenboom said.

Nootenboom hopes to inspire similar change, with the proceeds he raised going to organizations devoted to suicide prevention.

“I just want people to know that your story holds power to save a life,” he said.

Because you never know what someone is going through without walking a mile in their shoes. Even if they aren’t wearing any.

Nootenboom’s next stop is St. Louis.

The Barefoot Dutchman walks an average of 12 miles a day. At the end of his journey, he will have walked a total of 3,200 miles. This could also break a Guinness World Record.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek immediate help :

Crisis Text Line : Text HOME to 741741
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline : Call, text or chat 988
BH Link : Rhode Islanders can call 401-414-LINK (5465)
Kids’ Link RI : Parents can call 1-855-543-5465

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