At the age of 16, Jessica Watson achieved a feat of enormous courage.
She set aboard her boat, Ella's Pink Lady, and became the youngest person in history to sail solo, non-stop around the world. Over 210 days, she chased empty horizons, sparred with life-threatening storms and endured seven knockdowns, all while utterly alone.
But the greatest act of courage the 2011 Young Australian of Year has ever displayed came a decade later.
On August 30, 2021, Jessica Watson lost her partner, Cameron Dale, to a stroke. He was just 29 years old.
Speaking to Mamamia's No Filter podcast, Jessica, 30, spoke about the immense pain she endured in the wake of Cameron’s death and the monumental bravery and determination it’s taken her — is taking her — to venture forward without him by her side.