40 Peaks Before 40: How One Woman Turned Grief into Glory on the Mountain Trails

They say when life knocks you down, you should get back up. But Jaime Singleton decided to do more than just stand – she chose to climb. Following a series of life-altering setbacks that left her struggling to see beauty in the world, this Australian physiotherapist found solace in an unexpected place: the rugged peaks of Southeast Queensland’s mountain ranges. What began as a therapeutic hiking trip abroad transformed into an ambitious personal challenge that would reshape her entire life: summiting 40 peaks before her 40th birthday. Among the towering cliffs and winding trails of the Glass House Mountains, she discovered that sometimes the best way to heal isn’t to move on, but to move up.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, how long have you been hiking for?

Well I’m Jaime, I’m (as the self-imposed challenge suggests) and turning 40 this year. I’ve worked as a physiotherapist for 18 years and am a proud dog mum to two little rescue dogs. 

I’ve always been active, being a Pilates instructor and into weights and boxing and obstacle courses in the past, and always had an interest and keenness for nature and hiking, but it’s truly taken from this years. 

Some background: 

So 2020 hit hard for everyone I know, but despite COVID, 2020 onwards hit me hard in so many deflating ways. 

I had lost my dog Chloe to a horrible struggle with cancer. Chloe was like a child to me, as I’m a very dedicated dog mum so that grief sucked the joy out of my life immensely. I then moved towns and jobs, and I had a few health issues and surgeries along the way that I never had before, I had a relationship break down, and to top it off, I lost my first home in a fire. As if that all wasn’t enough, last year more grief took hold as I lost my father after a long health battle. So all of these things combined had taken a huge toll on me, and I was failing to see anything beautiful in the world. It was as they say, the only way was up… 

I was single, sad and feeling awful in myself. Thankfully I recognised this, and knew it was time for change. I went on such a journey of personal growth, body, mind and soul, but I was missing the element of adventure… as travel had been such a huge part of my life and covid took that too.

So I finally planned an overseas holiday in February this year with some really amazing  friends in America, doing a hiking holiday through Utah and Arizona. And it was this: life changing. The effect that travel, nature, hiking and climbing seemed to have on me just was so profound and lifted me up so high. It was epic. Being around likeminded people had such an effect on that too.

So when I got back I was just like: What can I do to keep this momentum going? I didn’t want to come back and just be in regular life, working and doing the same old things, and not making the most of where I live. 

I live on the Sunshine Coast in Australia and there are so many mountains to climb here, and waterfalls and hikes to do, and I had been living here for four years and not taken any advantage of that. So I reached out to some local hiking groups and found some really good people to go hiking with and it just blossomed from there.

2. Tell us about the journey that led you to the idea of the 40 before 40 challenge?

The idea of doing 40 hikes before I was 40 organically materialised after a few hikes, and I just started it to prove to myself that I could do it. To be strong and able in my late 30s and beyond, and rely on my own abilities was a striving factor, as I’ve had confidence issues in my body, and mindset, and I love a personal challenge to reach – call me driven (or stubborn). 

As a result my fitness improved immensely, along with my climbing confidence too. It was amazing. I loved every second of it. I went from one small, easy mountain in one day, to completing 5 grade 4 mountains in 24 hours! I honestly feel so good about myself in all the ways now, and I 100% think that being in nature and pushing myself to this physical challenge had a huge part in that. 

It’s not going to end there. Next year I have a challenge to do 52 different peaks so I’m not repeating any, and keep challenging myself for harder, longer, higher ones! 

3. Which hikes did you do? Can you list them?

Sure can: as you can see, some were re-done, and varying levels of difficulty, but 40 were done! 

  1. Ninderry
  2. Tibberoowuccum
  3. Eerwah
  4. Coolum
  5. Coorora
  6. Emu
  7. Ngungun during day
  8. Wild horse
  9. Tunbubudla east 
  10. Tunbubudla west
  11. Beerburrum
  12. Coolum
  13. Elimbah / saddleback 
  14. Miketeebumulgrai
  15. Ngungun 
  16. Ngungun
  17. Tinbeerwah
  18. Coochin west
  19. Coochin east
  20. Ninderry
  21. Wild horse
  22. Wild horse
  23. Ngungun
  24. Tibberoowuccum
  25. Cooee
  26. Ngungun
  27. Flinders peak
  28. Coochin east
  29. Coochin west 
  30. Boulder mountain
  31. Coolum
  32. Beerburrum
  33. Goolman lookout 
  34. Mount Goolman
  35. Mount Blaine
  36. Mount Catherine 
  37. Greville
  38. Mount Cordeux
  39. Bald Rock
  40. Moonlight Crag

4. What did you discover about yourself on this journey?

I think the thing I discovered most on this journey is the ability I have now to achieve a goal when I have my mind set on it. I’ve been told in the past that I’m efficient and driven, but I guess it was really important to me to see that physically for myself. It has also had a profound effect on my mental health and emotional well-being. I believe the calming nature and rejuvenation that nature can have on you is just so underrated. I’ve gone from drinking and partying on my weekends to literally climbing mountains every weekend . And this is all I really want to do. It’s a little bit obsessive 

I think also it’s helped me discover who I really am, and that I really like myself, but also cemented the people I want around me. 

A little plot twist came at the end of the 40 when one of the women I met to hike with, suddenly became my girlfriend! We both weren’t expecting that! So what a bonus to cap off the challenge – finding happiness together in our happy place of hiking 

5. We love a funny story, any mishaps along the way?

Probably the funniest stories were when we just got completely lost. The first time I met one of my hiking friends was at Mount Tiberoowuccum and we legit took 3 1/2 hours to find the entrance into the start of the walk up the mountain  then it took only 1 to complete  

Thank gosh we got along well because otherwise that could’ve been horrendously awkward, but I think a constant quote throughout my whole hiking adventures has been “how did we manage that?” and the  laughs that would bring  

Getting lost is always just part of the adventure, and how to come out of that is what matters. I’ve learnt now though, and I have downloaded All trails myself  

Oh and I did my first bush wee, which was pretty impressive since I’m 39  so props to me!

All images are from Jamie Singleton’s personal files

6. What’s your advice for a woman like yourself who would like to achieve something like this but might not know where to start?

My advice to women who are looking to get out in nature and get amongst the hiking and unsure where to start, is to join hiking groups in your area as there are always loads on social media and platforms like that. Put yourself out there and attend group hikes or post about wanting to find people like minded for smaller trails or hikes first. So many people have astounded me with their kindness and generosity  of helping out novices with their advice, as well as willingness to take people on harder hikes.

One life, it’s ours for the taking girls, so go get it!  

Jaime’s journey from heartbreak to hiking triumph isn’t just about ticking off 40 peaks – it’s a testament to the transformative power of challenging ourselves in nature. What started as a way to reclaim joy became a complete life renovation, leading her not only to physical strength and mental resilience but also to unexpected love on the trails. Her story reminds us that sometimes the steepest paths lead to the most beautiful destinations, and it’s never too late to lace up your hiking boots and chase down a dream. As she embarks on her next challenge – 52 unique peaks in a year – Jaime proves that our biggest adventures often begin when we’re ready to climb out of our darkest valleys. For the women reading this who might be standing at the base of their own metaphorical mountain, Jaime’s message rings clear: one trail, one peak, one step at a time – your summit awaits.

Grab your copy of the Ultimate Aussie Adventure Map now to find the best hikes near you

The Ultimate Aussie Adventure Map available at AdventureReels.com.au/shop
The Ultimate Aussie Adventure Map available at AdventureReels.com.au/shop

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