At the age of 61 Steve Adams "Mighty Blue" hiked the Appalachian Trail. It was a life changing event for him and he followed up his passion for the Appalachian Trail by starting a podcast.
Mighty Blue interviews guests exclusively about the Appalachian Trail. If you are thinking of hiking the Appalachian Trail this is a fantastic resource and you'll be inspired by the variety of different guests who are out there hiking the trail.
I spoke to Steve three times; before I started, half way through and after the challenge was completed!
Enjoy!
Part 1 - Before the challenge had even started! (Episode 36)
Show notes
Working in London & moving at the corporate ladder
Spending more time planning my holidays rather than my life
Forcing myself to be positive
Leaving in March 2013 - Gap Year
Some of the adventures I had around the world!
Producing a daily podcast
Having a confidence and belief in myself
Being inspired to help women and goals
Where are the female role models?
What can I do to make a difference
“If she can do it, why can’t I do it”
Challenges being over so quickly
Wanting to do a challenge over a long period of time
Deciding on the Appalachian Trail
The pressure of 100 Days
Trying to get balance
Motion creates emotion
Putting my health first
What drives me
Why it is about the memories
Why I’m ok with doing challenges by myself
Why should I miss out?
Gear for the AppalachianTrail
Being on a budget
Why it is not about the gear
Training for the Appalachian Trail
Focusing on my strength and endurance
My Start Strong Plan!
My struggle with failure
The mental side of the trail
Doing the “What If”
100 Day Challenge
Wanting to have fun!
What is 7 women - 7 challenges?
Why I do what I do
Going into debt to put out content for Tough Girl Challenges
My plans for the future & going back to university
Part 2 - The "catch-up," at Day 51 on the trail, starts at about 31 minutes.
Show notes
At Harpers Ferry taking a rest day!
Being broken both physically and mentally
What I do when I get to the shelter
Rest and recovery
Having an horrendous day of walking… getting to the shelter at 9pm
Being on my feet for 13/14 hours a day
Weighting 9 stone 3 (129 lbs)
Endurance is increasing but my strength is decreasing
Starting out dong 15/18 mile days
Getting to Neels Gap and sending stuff away to reduce the weight down
Virginia is really flat!!
My biggest surprise from the trail
Enjoying the wildlife
The weather
Getting use to the rain…
Poncho!
Not having any winter gear!
Being a little behind schedule at day 50
Having to increase my millage to 24 miles per day
Starting early in the morning and banking the miles
Has it been tough?
The countdown has begun to the finish
Being aware of my own self talk!
Meeting Becca at Clingmans Dome!
Not having support
The concentration I’m having to use while walking
Going over on my left ankle!
Interactions with people on the trail
Meeting Barbara on the trail
Am I enjoying it!
Having this opportunity!
Living in the moment!
Finish date goal - 10th September
Keep watching the vlogs!!
Happy trails!!!
Part 3 - The end of the challenge! Recorded 2 days after the finish!
Show notes
Starting the trail on the 3rd June and finishing on the 10th September to do the trail in 100 days
Trying to speed up and bash out 30 mile days
The 100 mile wilderness - “fast & flat”
Struggling with the elevation
Slipping and sliding down the mountains
Doing the hundred miles wilderness in 69 hours!
Was I confident I would make it?
Thinking I wasn’t going to be able to make it
Not being able to think 3 or 4 days ahead
Focusing on the immediate future
The emotions on the trail
Not being able to walk the final mile
Not wanting to film myself
Will I get judged?
I was the only one putting the pressure on myself to do the trail in 100 days
Fighting to get ahead
Physical or mental…
My weight loss
Red raw patches
Not being able to push myself out of the mud
Being unhappy
Dealing with illness on the trail
19 miles to go
Not being able to accept help
Not having food on the final day
The kindness of strangers
The people who have supported me while on the trail
Do I feel like a hiker?
Would I do it again?
Doing a trail without the time constraint
Why it is not a comparison
Night hiking in the White Mountains…
Losing my Go Pro on the trail…
Feelings at the finish
Final push on the 100th day
How the trail provides
Being on a learning curve with the vlogs
Being in Boston
Thank you
Find out more about Mighty Blue and visit his website here