Trek’in Gazelles: When adventure becomes well-being!

From 11 to 14 November, together with 443 other women, I took part in Trek’in Gazelles, a 4-day team orienteering race in the Moroccan desert. Despite 5:30 AM wake-ups and blistered feet, these adventurers immersed themselves in a bubble of well-being. Let’s revisit this unforgettable experience and explore how it highlights various dimensions of well-being. May it inspire us to cultivate our own well-being every day!

1. Physical well-being: Walking in nature

Walking 80 km through the desert is truly a path to well-being! Combined with all-day exposure to natural light, it energizes and reduces stress. On the campsite, stretching sessions released tensions, while care from podiatrists, physiotherapists, and massage therapists soothed discomforts. This support truly nurtured both body and mind! 

💡We get inspired and start regularly walking in nature – why not during our calls? – and we include quick stretches to release physical and mental tension.

2. Emotional well-being: Feeling intense emotions

The joy of finding a checkpoint, the sadness of missing one, the relief of seeing the campsite in the distance, and the pride of being part of this trek—these intense emotions, whether positive or negative, reconnect us to ourselves and remind us that we’re alive.

💡We get inspired and fully embrace our emotions: joining an adventure, attending a concert, crying, laughing, dancing, or singing!

3. Relational well-being: Nourishing connections

Trek’in Gazelles is a human adventure that places connection at its heart. Participants deepened existing relationships with their team-mates and built new bonds with amazing women ready to live unforgettable moments together. They also became part of a supportive community, where seasoned participants reassured newcomers, fulfilling human fundamental need for belonging.

💡We get inspired and invest in our relationships: spending quality time with loved ones and staying open to new connections.

4. Spiritual well-being: Embracing a meaningful and responsible adventure

Trek’in Gazelles teams walked to support causes close to their hearts. They raised nearly €20,000 for Le Secours Populaire, aided local communities through Coeur de Gazelles, collected funds for hundreds of associations, and collected 8,000 liters of waste through the “Clean Walkers” initiative. This solidarity not only improved the lives of those in need but also fostered a profound sense of purpose, boosting participants’ well-being.

💡We get inspired and get involved in causes that matter to us: donating, volunteering, or discovering other ways to contribute.

5. Intellectual well-being: Learning every day

Often overlooked, learning is vital to our well-being. This trek offered participants the chance to rediscover the joys of intellectual stimulation by acquiring new skills (map reading, plotting coordinates) and applying them in the field (staying on course, triangulating). This enriched their knowledge, focus, and analytical abilities! 

💡We get inspired and explore new domains: learning a language, picking up an instrument, or taking on a new professional challenge!

6. Psychological well-being: Pushing yourself to grow

Whether they came in first or last, every participant won. They overcame physical challenges (80 km in four days), intellectual ones (learning, concentration), emotional highs and lows, and even financial hurdles (sponsorship, fundraising). They emerged transformed, proud of having pushed their limits, with boosted confidence and resilience to tackle life’s surprises.

💡We get inspired and face your personal or professional challenges with confidence and courage.

7. Digital well-being: Disconnecting to be present

Living without a smartphone was its own adventure, offering significant benefits for well-being – better concentration, sleep, creativity, and relationships. From the moment they arrived, the gazelles parted ways with their devices. Five phone-free days allowed them to rediscover the joy of living in the moment, free from FOMO (fear of missing out) and information overload.

💡We get inspired and limit screen time: trying screen-free meals, specific device-free hours (e.g., 7 PM to 7 AM), or even a fully disconnected vacation.

Conclusion

Trek’in Gazelles created a unique bubble of well-being. From meaningful connections to solidarity efforts, this experience inspires us to nurture our well-being daily. Through simple habits or profound decisions, each of us can turn these lessons into positive actions.

🎦 By popular demand: watch a video in French where I dive into the trek’s operational details – covering the location, camp life, orienteering, breathtaking landscapes, and more…