Walk with Lisa Millar: Confidence Secrets from a Foreign 2026

Walking with Lisa Millar, the celebrated ABC News Breakfast co‑host and former foreign correspondent, reveals that confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous. “I constantly have butterflies about doing stuff. It’s not like I’ve got reams of confidence,” she admits as we stroll toward Sandridge beach in Port Melbourne. Her honesty sets the tone for a conversation about curiosity, resilience, and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.

The Walk That Became a Lifeline

Millar moved from London to Melbourne at the end of 2019 to co-host News Breakfast. Lockdowns hit soon after, and she found herself living alone. This daily walk, from her apartment to the cold, flat Sandridge beach, became her anchor. “It was a lifeline,” she says. The routine gave her structure and a chance to clear her head after heavy news cycles.

Why Routine Matters for Mental Health

Psychologists agree that consistent outdoor activity reduces anxiety and improves mood. Millar’s walk isn’t just exercise; it’s a reset button. She points out a children’s playground and confesses she’s tried the bilge pump herself—“with no children, it’s like, I don’t care – I’m going to go over there.” That playful curiosity, she believes, fuels her resilience.

From Washington to London: A Career Built on Curiosity

Millar’s foreign correspondent years were intense. “It was a really big time in the world … it started in DC with the Obama period, then I moved to London.” Within weeks of arriving in the UK, the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks happened. “Then it was just a string of big, heavy stories,” she recalls. Amid recounting the toll, she gets distracted by a fence: “Ooh, that’s new.” She points to construction cranes— “When they lift up, they look so funny … I just love infrastructure.” This relentless curiosity, she says, is what keeps her going.

From Global Crises to Local Wonders

She muses about Princes Pier, where migrants arrived from Europe: “I just kind of think, wow, what must have they been thinking?” Then she spots a rikari (native water rat) and launches into an exuberant retelling of the research it sparked. “The water has to be nice and still” for them to appear, she learned. For Millar, every walk is a mini‑adventure.

Career Milestones of Lisa Millar

Key Takeaways to Build Your Own Confidence

• Embrace routine: A daily walk can become a grounding ritual.
• Stay curious: Notice small details—cranes, fences, local wildlife.
• Accept nervousness: Butterflies are normal; action matters more than feeling fearless.
• Connect with your surroundings: Learn the history of places you pass.
• Play without judgment: Try playground equipment even if you’re alone.

FAQ

Lisa Millar proves that confidence isn’t the absence of butterflies—it’s deciding to walk anyway. Whether you’re covering a global crisis or simply heading out the door, the first step is always the most important.