I found things in the woods that I didn’t know I was looking for… and now I’ll never be the same.
Something deep within me connected with hard work, nature and simplicity.
Going into the woods, you can go as fast or as slow as you want. It's restorative. Even when I was young, the wilderness offered not only adventure but also therapy and peace: a place to be alone with your thoughts.
Part of the reason I fell in love with the trail is because it was so extremely difficult, more difficult than the marathons and Ironmans I'd competed in. Not just physically but emotionally it was a new challenge, as well. It really helped me to learn and grow in so many ways.
A lot of people talk about the trail healing them, but I feel like, the first time, it humbled me, which I probably needed. It was a completely new way to experience the world and my body.
I'd always had an interest of pushing my limits and was intrigued by endurance.
I was surrounded by life and beauty. My soul was content, and my life felt full.
One of the best feelings I had growing up was being completely exhausted at the end of the day after playing outside all day.
Our bodies are made to move, and moving down the trail is one of the oldest, natural ways people have used their bodies.
My motivation to keep hiking was rooted in the magnificent details of the Appalachian Mountains, and the more I poured myself out - the more energy I gave the trail - the more it gave me in return.
Hiking is great because it's a lifelong sport and you're outdoors, active, so whether you call that a sport or a hobby or a recreation, I think the wording - it's a great way to get exercise, and it can be as challenging as you want to make it.
I know that I was hiking at a very young age because I remember being convinced that it was the trees that were talking.
I would rather watch a sunset than TV.
One thing I think I've always felt about being in nature is that it's a very natural taste.
Writing is one of the main ways that I process the experience.
Food is like a torture device because hiking 47 miles a day is hard enough. And then you're trying to get down 6,000 calories a day. Every hour, I needed a snack, every few hours I had to take in a meal and it's just not food, it's fuel. You're not enjoying it - you're seriously shoving it in your mouth and following it with water, juice or Gatorade.
