In this episode, Michele shares how one miserable backpacking experience in Yosemite — a trip that began with a rolled ankle and a 5,000-foot descent — nearly pushed her away from backpacking altogether. But instead of giving up, she decided to try again. With structured training and a clearer understanding of how to prepare for a heavy pack, she returned to the trail for a four-day trek in Death Valley and had a completely different experience.

Michele talks about rebuilding confidence in midlife and discovering that the right training made the trail feel not just doable, but enjoyable. She explains how stair sessions, incline treadmill work, balance training, and learning proper pack fit transformed her comfort and stability. She also shares a memorable moment when her guide told her she was the only person in the group using trekking poles correctly — a small but powerful sign of her growth.

We explore why running didn’t help her as much as hiking-specific training, how she adapted her weekly routine to fit the plan, and why consistency mattered more than long hours outside. By the end of her trip, she felt strong, capable, and proud to say, “I don’t hate backpacking anymore,” a line that reflects just how far she’d come.

If you’ve ever had a rough outing or wondered whether it’s too late to build real trail confidence, Michele’s story will show you what’s possible with the right approach.

There’s some B-roll at the very end, so stick around for a little extra conversation after the official podcast wraps.

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