How I Got Here: Endurance athlete Allicia Heron
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success. This week, we sit down with endurance athlete Allicia Heron to chat about her career in the Navy, how she tests her limits and how she broke the Women’s 6 Day Walking World Record.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Allicia Heron, an Australian endurance athlete, power walker, and proud Navy veteran. I recently broke the women’s 6-day race walking world record, covering 691.801 km at the inaugural NZ 6 Day Ultramarathon in Hagley Park. I finished first walker, third overall (which included runners and walkers), and even surpassed the all-time Australian men’s walking record. My world revolves around testing limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally – and finding out what’s possible when you refuse to give up.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid – have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
Not really! As a kid, I was always active and loved sport, but I never imagined something like this existed. I joined the Royal Australian Navy, and that’s where my resilience and mental toughness were really formed. The discipline, structure, and grit I learned there have carried over perfectly into ultra-distance racing. The kid in me just loved movement and the adult in me learned to endure.
Tell us about when you were first starting out – what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
It started from curiosity. I wanted to see how far I could go, both physically and mentally. The first ultra I entered completely hooked me. There’s something addictive about pushing past what feels possible. From there, I just kept building, learning through trial, error, and a lot of kilometres. That fire has only grown stronger with every race.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
During the six-day event, I hallucinated badly – and not in a funny way – in a horror movie scene kind of way. I became hysterically upset and needed to be calmed down by my crew. Everything hurt, and my mind was running wild. But I’ve faced hard situations before – through the Navy, through training, through life, and I knew how to steady myself. I told myself, just keep going. That simple line got me through six days of walking.
What was your biggest break?
Originally, it would have been making the Australian 24-hour team, which was a huge honour, and then being invited to a race in Taiwan, where I broke the Australian 48-hour record. Those experiences were turning points and they showed me I could compete at an international level and opened doors to even bigger challenges.
But without question, my biggest break came at the NZ 6 Day Ultramarathon. It brought together everything I’ve learned – endurance, discipline, and mental grit – and pushed me further than I ever thought possible. Walking 691.801 km, setting a world record, and finishing ahead of all but two runners completely redefined what I thought I was capable of.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Control what you can, and adapt to the rest.” It’s something that’s carried me through a lot. You can’t control the weather, fatigue, or how your body feels on day four, but you can control your mindset and effort. That’s where the real power lies.
What is it about your industry that you love – and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love the simplicity of it. It’s just you, the path, and the clock. There’s no hiding, no shortcuts, just honesty in motion. What frustrates me is how under-recognised walking can be in the endurance world. The physical and mental effort it demands is enormous, and I’d love to see it get the recognition it deserves. It’s not just a leisurely Sunday stroll pace, the pace is quick, and it’s not easy!
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’ – what media do you consume?
I follow endurance podcasts, sports science pages, and athlete stories from all over the world. I love learning about recovery, nutrition, and mindset. I also stay connected to the military and veteran communities – that sense of discipline, camaraderie, and service still inspires how I train and race.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still doing what I love: pushing boundaries, representing Australia, and helping others find their strength through endurance sport. I’d like to break more records, but more importantly, I want to show others what’s possible with courage, consistency, and a solid team behind you.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
Because you don’t need to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things. You just need to turn up, keep going, and refuse to stop when it gets uncomfortable. Ultra-distance walking and running teach you what you’re truly made of – it’s raw, humbling, and life-changing.
What advice would you give your past self?
Trust yourself. Every challenge, every setback, every rough patch, it’s all shaping you for something greater. Keep your focus, back your effort, and don’t forget to rest and enjoy the process. That, and it’s ok to have that chocolate!
