In 1999, Florida resident Steve Fugate was hiking the Appalachian Trail when he got a phone call that his son had committed suicide. As he dealt with the loss, his daughter said something profound: She asked her dad why he hadn’t passed on his love of life to his son. Not long after, his daughter died from an accidental overdose. He would never forget her question, and it spurred him to begin a cross-country journey. Leaving behind his successful car detailing business in Vero Beach, the then-53-year-old set out to walk across the United States to raise awareness for depression and suicide and to inspire the people he met along the way to “love life.” After 14 years and 34,000 miles of walking, Steve ended his physical journey. Today, at 76, he continues his quest to heal his heart and the hearts of those in need. “When love fills your life, all limitations are gone. The medicine this sick world needs so badly is love.”
