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Justin Helmkamp completed his Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking in 2021.  He’s now hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail in full.  How’s that for an accomplishment?!  

Justin is an outstanding human being.  Between his PCT and CDT hikes, he worked as a Wilderness Therapy Guide helping troubled teens.  As you’ll hear in this episode, it was during that time that Justin developed into who he is today.  

His hike up the CDT this last summer was one for the books.  He not only made the trail his own while capturing some absolutely stunning imagery, but he also freed himself of other people’s expectations.  This might be my favorite portion of our conversation.  In his own words, he’ll share a simple yet profound moment on the trail when it all clicked and he let it all go.  He found freedom on the CDT this year and I believe that’s something we could all celebrate.

Show Notes and Links

• Catching up with Justin and his recent Triple Crown
• What it feels like to be finished
• What waiting to hike the CDT did for Justin’s personal growth
• How experiences in wilderness therapy prepared Justin for the CDT
• Themes for each trail on a personal level
• The creative juice of a thru-hike
• On giving yourself permission to do something adventurous 
• Thoughts on the “habitual” thru-hiking life
• CDT self-realizations
• What comes next  
• Favorite spot on the CDT
• Grizzly bear moments 
• Thoughts on NOBO vs. SOBO on the CDT 
• https://www.justinhelmkamp.com/
• @justinhelmkamp

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