As some of you already know, and as most of you don’t know, starting on May 14, I’m going to hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail with nothing more than a backpack.
652 miles to be exact.
Four years ago, I read a little known book, Wild. You know, the one that has now been made into an epic movie with Reece Witherspoon starring as Cheryl Strayed, a real-life woman, who was looking for clarity and just needed to escape her life.
I instantly related to Strayed’s story, and knew my best friend, Stacie, who I’ve known since the third grade, would as well. Thus, I told her she had to read the book immediately, and let me know what she thought of it.
Well, I can adamantly tell you, we both loved it.
It’s now been four years since we both read Wild, and the time has come for us to escape the comforts of our homes, friends, families, and overall lives to find our own clarity and reflect.
We both have our own things to work through, our own reasons for wanting to recharge, and our own desires to just be away from it all. However, what we share is a bond that brings us back to childhood, and the need to live, not just exist.
Part of me is beyond excited for this adventure, but if I’m being honest, part of me is also really nervous. I know there are numerous things that could go wrong, and reasons why I shouldn’t do this.
Yet, I know I have to do this for all those reasons.
I preach getting outside of your comfort zone, challenging yourself, and living a full life, so I must continue to honor my truth, and hopefully inspire along the way.
In an effort to make this trip be even more about inspiration and raising awareness, I’m going to be raising money for Global Citizen, which looks to “help fight extreme poverty and inequality around the world, and support approaches that will make life more sustainable for people and the planet.”
You can click here to donate to my hike, and help me raise money for causes we all believe in.
I am excited to share this experience with you all, and beyond curious as to how this adventure into wild will change me as a person.
I hope this lights a fire within you to finally do something you’ve dreamed of doing, to follow your own journey, and to live rather than just exist.
Life is too short to not enjoy all the wonders of the world, so join me as I break free of my routine, and write another chapter in my story.