5 Life Lessons I've Learned From Thru-hiking
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
SoulDevoured
I was abused and bullied growing up. People had these awful opinions of me, that I was awkward and clumsy and couldn't do anything. Even people who didn't bully me pitied me because I was pitiful. It took me a long time to realize my anxiety and depression was making it hard to function. My YT username came during this understanding, my soul, my spirit, had been devoured. Not by people but by myself listening to these negative toxic people.
I have a lot of health problems from said abuse and me abusing and neglecting myself but a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
It started with small walks in the park and now I average 8 miles each day hike, sometimes doing 12+ (which is a big deal with major injuries to my shins and knees. Had to do PT just to be able to walk at all) I'm not doing it for anyone else, I'm doing it for me, so I don't have to listen to anyone else. Being in the woods and being by myself, relying on myself, brings me profound peace and immeasurable confidence. Now I have a fairly successful career and I know how to talk to people. I can talk to people without always having my eyes averted and stumbling over my words. In turn that brings me more confidence.
It's been a long journey building myself up over the last couple years but I've come a long way and my goal is to section hike the AT starting this year. I get 4 weeks vacation and I estimate that between that and my weekends (live over on the east coast so it's just a couple hour drive) I can do it in less than 5 years.
Is it as impressive as a thru hike?
No, but I'm not doing it to impress anyone else. I'm doing it for myself.
Hike your own hike is a useful motto in life.
Love your videos Dixie, they've been great reminders as I trek my way through life.
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I was abused and bullied growing up. People had these awful opinions of me, that I was awkward and clumsy and couldn't do anything. Even people who didn't bully me pitied me because I was pitiful. It took me a long time to realize my anxiety and depression was making it hard to function. My YT username came during this understanding, my soul, my spirit, had been devoured. Not by people but by myself listening to these negative toxic people.
I have a lot of health problems from said abuse and me abusing and neglecting myself but a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
It started with small walks in the park and now I average 8 miles each day hike, sometimes doing 12+ (which is a big deal with major injuries to my shins and knees. Had to do PT just to be able to walk at all) I'm not doing it for anyone else, I'm doing it for me, so I don't have to listen to anyone else. Being in the woods and being by myself, relying on myself, brings me profound peace and immeasurable confidence. Now I have a fairly successful career and I know how to talk to people. I can talk to people without always having my eyes averted and stumbling over my words. In turn that brings me more confidence.
It's been a long journey building myself up over the last couple years but I've come a long way and my goal is to section hike the AT starting this year. I get 4 weeks vacation and I estimate that between that and my weekends (live over on the east coast so it's just a couple hour drive) I can do it in less than 5 years.
Is it as impressive as a thru hike?
No, but I'm not doing it to impress anyone else. I'm doing it for myself.
Hike your own hike is a useful motto in life.
Love your videos Dixie, they've been great reminders as I trek my way through life.
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Doug
I love watching your videos! It inspires me to do more. I am so fortunate that I got to travel the world in the Navy (24 years, but then went to work for corporate America for the next 20 years. Last year, my bride and I took a year off to begin doing some of our bucket list items. The first big one, was to do a full John Muir Trail hike SOBO from Happy Isles. We got a golden ticket (permit) and did complete the thru-hike as a couple before we got married in October. My Olga said that she would not marry me if we did not complete the JMT together. ;-) While it was half joking, it was a great way to see if we could handle adversity together!
We also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as our Honeymoon! Anyway, I love your videos and hope to see you on the trail someday. you have inspired me to do the PCT next year (2019) and we will see where we go next after that! Keep up the passion and the hikes! Maybe you will next do a Triple Crown SOBO? LOL
Best of luck, and looking forward to your episodes of the CDT!
I have two videos of our adventures on YouTube. Just search for Doug and Olga's Adventures and you will find our videos.
Wish I had your guy to help me, as I am not as talented with the editing and producing!
I will never again do a video that is not 16X9.
Take care and Happy Trails!
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I love watching your videos! It inspires me to do more. I am so fortunate that I got to travel the world in the Navy (24 years, but then went to work for corporate America for the next 20 years. Last year, my bride and I took a year off to begin doing some of our bucket list items. The first big one, was to do a full John Muir Trail hike SOBO from Happy Isles. We got a golden ticket (permit) and did complete the thru-hike as a couple before we got married in October. My Olga said that she would not marry me if we did not complete the JMT together. ;-) While it was half joking, it was a great way to see if we could handle adversity together!
We also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as our Honeymoon! Anyway, I love your videos and hope to see you on the trail someday. you have inspired me to do the PCT next year (2019) and we will see where we go next after that! Keep up the passion and the hikes! Maybe you will next do a Triple Crown SOBO? LOL
Best of luck, and looking forward to your episodes of the CDT!
I have two videos of our adventures on YouTube. Just search for Doug and Olga's Adventures and you will find our videos.
Wish I had your guy to help me, as I am not as talented with the editing and producing!
I will never again do a video that is not 16X9.
Take care and Happy Trails!
reply
Truehearted
I 1st want to say I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! And I really love your personality. I had an idea of something you could do for your next thru hike videos. When your on your next thru hike take videos of ppl who are on the trail and ask them 3-4 questions and when you make your videos for youtube you can put 1 or 2 of those ppl answering your question in the beginning or end of each of your youtube video segments. They could even pertain to a subject your wanting to talk about in that video. Show us the oldest and the youngest person you seen thru hiking. In different spots along the trail you could ask different question, like at the end ask them, What where your favorite places/towns they stopped at and why. ect. You could even go back to old videos and add some of them in answering the questions. Just a thought and wanting to help you, good luck on your next adventure and always have fun doing it.
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I 1st want to say I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! And I really love your personality. I had an idea of something you could do for your next thru hike videos. When your on your next thru hike take videos of ppl who are on the trail and ask them 3-4 questions and when you make your videos for youtube you can put 1 or 2 of those ppl answering your question in the beginning or end of each of your youtube video segments. They could even pertain to a subject your wanting to talk about in that video. Show us the oldest and the youngest person you seen thru hiking. In different spots along the trail you could ask different question, like at the end ask them, What where your favorite places/towns they stopped at and why. ect. You could even go back to old videos and add some of them in answering the questions. Just a thought and wanting to help you, good luck on your next adventure and always have fun doing it.
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Mike
I did my first PCT section hike with no research because I had exactly a month between gigs and went for it. What a mess, but such a blast. No waist belt on my 45 lb load (with food and water) and only one hike out for resupply. What a dufus. Didn't get too many miles a day the first week or so, my shoulders were killing me, my hiking partner quit 4 days in, wild! Basically did the JMT section and it was a lifetime highlight. Going back for a 3 month section in 2020 and this time I'm researching early. Thanks so much, Dixie. You are super inspiring.
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I did my first PCT section hike with no research because I had exactly a month between gigs and went for it. What a mess, but such a blast. No waist belt on my 45 lb load (with food and water) and only one hike out for resupply. What a dufus. Didn't get too many miles a day the first week or so, my shoulders were killing me, my hiking partner quit 4 days in, wild! Basically did the JMT section and it was a lifetime highlight. Going back for a 3 month section in 2020 and this time I'm researching early. Thanks so much, Dixie. You are super inspiring.
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AutumnAspens
Jessica,
I JUST saw this. OMG. PLEASE let me share this with folks at work!
When or if you get a chance to see this.
PLEASE. when you get done with the CDT. and Lynette and I are fully on board if you need anything. but when you finish let us know.
YOU NEED TO INSPIRE PEOPLE.
YOU have already inspired me. and that takes a ton to do.
Mike: )
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Jessica,
I JUST saw this. OMG. PLEASE let me share this with folks at work!
When or if you get a chance to see this.
PLEASE. when you get done with the CDT. and Lynette and I are fully on board if you need anything. but when you finish let us know.
YOU NEED TO INSPIRE PEOPLE.
YOU have already inspired me. and that takes a ton to do.
Mike: )
reply
Sam's
I enjoyed this one as I am reading something along the same line of being frustrated with someone that is making you feel that way. We have the choice to control our own feelings. That is being profound for me this week. I keep hearing/reading it from multiple people. It must be true! This video also spotlighted your personality more. :D
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I enjoyed this one as I am reading something along the same line of being frustrated with someone that is making you feel that way. We have the choice to control our own feelings. That is being profound for me this week. I keep hearing/reading it from multiple people. It must be true! This video also spotlighted your personality more. :D
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Robert
There has to be at least a thousand high schools across our country who's students would benefit from listening to you. Great job, you're an inspiration to all ages! The change that I see in you from your first steps on the AT until this video is incredible and inspiring in itself.
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There has to be at least a thousand high schools across our country who's students would benefit from listening to you. Great job, you're an inspiration to all ages! The change that I see in you from your first steps on the AT until this video is incredible and inspiring in itself.
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Hank
Dixie I love your videos and I would give my right arm to be able to do just a through hike I have the self-confidence but my biggest hurdle is trying to get the bills paid if I was to do a through hike financially it would kill me but you are a very good inspiration
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Dixie I love your videos and I would give my right arm to be able to do just a through hike I have the self-confidence but my biggest hurdle is trying to get the bills paid if I was to do a through hike financially it would kill me but you are a very good inspiration
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Jarold
Dixie, there was a time when I could not walk 30 yards due to Peripheral Artery Disease. But I started watching your videos and got inspired. I gradually was able to walk farther and farther. Today I hiked 5 miles and felt like I could do more. Thank you so much.
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Dixie, there was a time when I could not walk 30 yards due to Peripheral Artery Disease. But I started watching your videos and got inspired. I gradually was able to walk farther and farther. Today I hiked 5 miles and felt like I could do more. Thank you so much.
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TheDenisedrake
I have no desire to go on any hike longer than a week, BUT I would love to sit out on the trail and cook for a bunch of PCT hikers. Do trail angels collect trash? Seems like an easy help that they would need.
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I have no desire to go on any hike longer than a week, BUT I would love to sit out on the trail and cook for a bunch of PCT hikers. Do trail angels collect trash? Seems like an easy help that they would need.
reply
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