JACKSONVILLE BEACH — Following a two-year journey, Orange Park native Kyndal Edwards finally touched the Atlantic Ocean on his coast-to-coast walk on Sunday, Aug. 17.

And for him, it still doesn't feel real.

"To think that I put my foot in the water after a Jan. 1, 2022, start. Just to be right back after 8,723 miles walked."

Yes, you read that correctly.

Edwards has been on a journey to walk across America, raising awareness for mental health and addiction. 

Edwards, who himself has experienced the stigma that addicts often face and is excelling at 76 months sober, said he is aiming to defy all the odds that come with it. And help others along the way.

"There are too many people losing their lives daily to drug overdose, suicide, mental health and or recovery," he said.

So far, Edwards has crossed 26 state lines through a total of 19 states.

Beginning at Jacksonville Beach, Edwards, along with his cart full of supplies, walked to Long Beach, Washington, then to Cape Flattery and the entire West Coast through Oregon and California to Border Field State Park.

From there, he headed to Las Vegas, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, the Forrest Gump Point, the Four Corners Monument and back to Jacksonville.

With hundreds of thousands following his journey on social media, each trip is marked by honks, waves, handshakes and conversations of hope and positivity with every supporter he meets along the way. 

A crowd of his loyal followers stopped by the Jacksonville pier to watch Edwards conclude his journey.

"Some of these people out here have seen me at my worst back in the day," he said. 

As a mental health advocate and recovery coach, Edwards said he experienced more than 15 years of combined depression, addiction and a life of crime. But despite his past, Edwards said it doesn't define who he is now. 

Amid 11 times in the Clay County Jail, two prison sentences, overdoses and two suicide attempts, Edwards said he finally decided to turn his life around during his last five-year sentence. That's also where he gained the inspiration to channel his journey into something bigger than himself.

"April 12, 2019, was the day that I said I don't want to live like this anymore. I have a bunch of time left and I'm done with this," he said. "I've got to change my ways. I started getting back into my faith, I started working out, and I started working on my mental health."

After reading an article on a similar walking mission, Edwards said he brainstormed on ways his walk could also make a difference. 

"When it's people [from] high school and people closer to home, you're like, 'Wow, it's a real thing going on. To change my life, get out and see how bad it really was, I was like 'I want to walk for mental health and recovery."

In remembrance of those who have lost their lives to drug overdoses or suicide, part of his journey incorporates the names of 180 individuals on a t-shirt that he keeps on his walk.  There are currently 16 different editions.

He said the 180 names represent taking a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction of the negative things destroying the lives of others. 

"Even though they're no longer with us, they're still being remembered and getting the journey of a lifetime."

Additionally, the walk acts as a fundraiser for Addict II Athlete, a nonprofit dedicated to recovery services for those struggling with addiction. So far, Edwards said he has raised over $17,000 of his $50,000 goal solely through donations.

His first coast-to-coast walk raised $6,700 for To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit in Melbourne.

Currently, as he assembles care packages to distribute to people in need on the streets of Jacksonville, Edwards said he is planning his fourth walk on Sept. 10.

Edwards said he will start back at Jacksonville Beach, heading to Gainesville and Cedar Key. He will walk the west coast of Florida on both sides, down to the Tampa/Clearwater area, before heading to Fort Myers or Naples. He'll cross back over into the Everglades, down to the southeastern point of the Keys, before turning around and taking the entire East Coast up to Maine. 

He said that by the time everything is said and done, he'll have walked more than 11,000 miles across America. And there's more to come, with hopes to also walk across each continent.

"I want people through this journey to see that there's more good in the world than bad from all the amazing people that we meet. I want them to be able to see the beauty of the world, because there are many people who never leave their hometown or never get to travel. They'll get to see [what] the world really has to offer. While talking about important causes that take so many people that we love and care about."

For those wanting to support or get involved, Edwards said prayers for his protection and safety are welcome.

He is also frequently documenting his progress on Facebook at Kyndal Ray Edwards, Instagram at a_walking_testimony, TikTok at kyndalrayy and YouTube at A Walking Testimony. 

You can also visit his website at kyndalray.com.

Although he has reached the finish line for now, Edwards said his journey to spreading hope and awareness is never complete.