After 30 years of feeling stuck, Andrew Steven attempted to get in shape for a month-long backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevadas. Looking at his career for inspiration, Andrew finds an unlikely revelation by imagining his life’s narrative arc. But after a death in the family, he found himself in a story of repeating loss. Trail Weight chronicles Andrew’s journey as he narrates a year of his life. Through audio diaries, recordings from the trail, and conversations with authors, experts, Olympians, and special guests, Andrew takes listeners through an eye-opening adventure of self-discovery.

In this excerpt, Andrew introduces himself and how his journey got started.