I came across a great article by Zach Davis, author of Appalachian Trials: The Psychological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking The Appalachian Trail.
http://blueridgehikingco.com/training-brain-appalachian-trail
The book is on my list to read before I venture out for 10 days in the back country of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
I am well-aware that hiking up and down a mountain range for 10 days is going to kick my ass. I’m an over weight asthmatic with a phobia of snakes. Do you realize how many snakes are in Pennsylvania?!? It sounds fucking nuts what I am planning to do! And I love that it is a crazy!
The connection that I have to nature, hiking, and camping makes everything about this trip make sense. While hiking is a physically demanding activity, it’s more mental for me. When it comes down to passion, I have learned that nothing should stand in my way. I have lost out on a lot of opportunities in life because of depression and anxiety.
Now that my mental health is finally well taken care of, I’m not about to let something physical stop me that feels right on so many other levels. It’s an amazing feeling to have something right in front of me that motivates me to be the best person that I can possibly be.
I have been working out with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and walking on my treadmill with my hiking pack. I have about 10 other Jillian Michael videos that I will dive into soon. I love that woman!
It’s small steps that I will conquer a mountain with. Mind over matter truly will prevail.
Wild Woman Wisdom 