No distances, no circles, and you can easily derive an equation.
Just a right angled triangle.
First, the definition of a parabola from the focus and directrix.
Pick a line, the directrix, and a point (B) not on that line (the focus):
Find the line at right angles, passing through a point (C) on that line.
Now find the line from B to C, and the midpoint of BC, which will be D.
Find the line at right angles to BC from D, and the intersection of this line and the vertical line, E, is a point on the parabola.
As point C is moved the parabola is traced out.
The picture is completed with the line BE. Check it!