“I'm in Pain”: Cape Town Man Runs Full Length of Japan After Losing Girlfriend to Mental Health
- A Cape Town man named Michael shared a video on 4 November 2025 showing his journey running the entire length of Japan
- He revealed he lost his girlfriend over eight years ago because of mental health struggles
- The young man started the Aimee Howard Foundation to help teenagers and young adults afford therapy
Source: Instagram
A Cape Town man is running the entire length of Japan alone, and he's almost done. Michael shared a video on 4 November 2025 explaining why he's putting himself through this challenge and what drives him to keep going. He shared the clip on his Instagram page @michaeluncharted with the caption:
"This has been so hard. I put on a smile every day because that's how I want to go through these challenges, but I'm in pain, I'm lonely, and I'm scared. But despite that, I'll keep fighting for what I believe in."
In the video, Michael explained that the entire journey will be about 3,000 kilometres. He's run for 63 days, covering 2,500 kilometres and is almost done.
"I just finished the island of Honshu and I'm moving on to the final 400 kilometres on Kyushu before I finish at the southern tip," he said.
DON'T MISS IT: Stay Away From Fake News With Our Short, Free Fact-Checking Course. Join And Get Certified!
He shared that this has been the hardest thing he's ever done. Running an ultramarathon every day alone for months is taxing on the mind and body.
"But I'm trying to raise funds for mental health, and I also think this might be a Guinness World record for a self-supported run in Japan," he explained.
The video showed him running all around Japan, going through different areas, including tunnels, forest nature areas, and running on the roads. He's been doing these ultramarathons to bring awareness to mental health and raise money for donations.
The story behind Michael's mission
Michael lost his partner Aimee over eight years ago because of mental health issues. In another video where he talks about mental health, he explained:
"Aimee was an incredibly kind and loving person. She had this warm feeling about her. Aimee suffered like thousands still do today. She never had the money to get help and seek therapy. Only in the last couple of months did my family eventually step in and try and start supporting her. We got her into therapy, but by then the damage was already done. It was too late."
Source: Instagram
Mzansi supports his journey
People commented on his posts supporting his mission.
@kamosime said:
"Very proud of my brother 🫶🏾"
@sammylarter wrote:
"Well done, brother bear! You are absolutely incredible ❤️🔥"
@david_patrick_graham shared:
"🤙🔥🙏❤️Inspirational 👏Incredible 😍Michael!"
@marlenelarter added:
"So inspiring, Mike 🔥🔥🔥Never giving up!!! ❤️"
@grfinplan gushed:
"Awesome Mike!!!"
@nyslicepizza said:
"You're killing it, Mike! 🔥"
Starting the Aimee Howard Foundation
When he first started running ultra marathons and wanted to raise money for charity, Instagram user @michaeluncharted shared that he couldn't find one that aligned with what he wanted to do. That's when he decided to start his own foundation, the Aimee Howard Foundation, which could help teenagers and young adults afford therapy.
The foundation’s mission is to make sure every teen and young adult can get the mental health therapy they need, no matter their financial situation. They offer financial help and resources to help create a world where all young people can live healthy, happy lives with the mental health care they deserve.
Watch the Instagram clip below.
Other South Africans fighting for a cause
- Briefly News recently reported that a 30-year-old man from Gqeberha walked over 750km to raise awareness about men's mental health.
- A group of runners shared a video from day three of their 600km journey to Johannesburg for mental health awareness.
- A South African content creator praised the global unity of people who changed their profile pictures to support the latest GBV movement.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
