Southbound and Stubborn: Unpacking the Appalachian Trail FKT

After 2,200 miles, 45 days, and more duct-taped shoes than I care to admit, I finally set the self-supported Appalachian Trail FKT. In this episode, Allison Mercer and I dive into the full story—why I went back to the AT, how it nearly broke me (again), and what it takes to push through when your body is screaming “stop” but you’ve still got 80 miles to cover.

Consider supporting the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6530749?

We talk about the shoe disaster (two left shoes, then two right shoes), sleepless nights, eerie solo miles, and the weird little things that kept me going—like listening to Pirates vs. Marlins baseball games at midnight in the green tunnel. We get into the strategy of easing into the miles, then ratcheting up the effort until there’s nothing left to give.

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This wasn’t just about me or a number on a spreadsheet. Thanks to thousands of people, we raised over $30,000 for The Trevor Project, proving that adventure can be about something much bigger than one person chasing a record.

It’s the whole journey—why I started, how I finished, and what it means when the trail teaches you more than you ever expected.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions

02:50 The Journey of the Appalachian Trail

06:08 Motivation Behind the FKT Attempt

08:54 Preparation and Training for the FKT

11:46 Challenges Faced on the Trail

15:03 Social Interactions and Trail Community

17:51 Mental Strategies for Endurance

21:05 Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated

23:49 The Significance of Self-Supported Records

27:05 Gear and Supplies Management

29:56 Communication and Updates During the FKT

32:50 Fundraising for the Trevor Project

35:43 Recognition of Fellow Hikers

39:01 Conclusion and Future Plans

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