What a great interview. I am in awe of the obvious determination.
I also loved at the end, the part where you say ""Dozens of time, before, during, and after my thru-hike, people would comment, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to do that!” If they continue with, “Are there a lot of bugs?” Or a lot of snakes, or bears, and make a very worried face, I know they are not cut out for this work. Seldom do they seem to acknowledge that there will be fears, doubts, and pain.""
This is such an important observation, as if people expect maybe through some combination of luck or chance and sheer ignorance that somehow, there won't be bugs or snakes or bears… its this ignorance that keeps them from being able to accomplish something like this themselves.
Or maybe its that they allow these fears to become justification for why they too could not do it? Either way, this is about facing fears.
Of course there are bugs. Of course there are fears and discomforts, and I think what many people fail to grasp, is that the very act of going for it anyway, of facing these fears and having the commitment to see it through when in doubt, that makes an experience like this so special and rewarding.
If only more of us could take on challenges like this as willingly, myself included!
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