Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

This week's guest is Randi Silverman, the founder of the youth Mental Health Project. I think I can do no better than to replicate the notes that Randi sent me when I asked her about the information and Jesse Cody's hike.

The Youth Mental Health Project

The Youth Mental Health Project is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that seeks to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth.

We believe that:

• Mental health lies on a continuum and includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

• A healthy mind is as important to a child's development as a healthy body.

• In order to address the devastating consequences of the current mental health crisis, early intervention and prevention must become the norm.

We believe every child's mental well-being needs to be nurtured, and that mental wellness and physical wellness should be equally prioritized. By equipping communities with tools to facilitate open and honest dialogue, providing educational materials that promote mental health literacy, and supporting families who are struggling, The Youth Mental Health Project is at the forefront of creating lasting change.

WHAT WE DO:

SUPPORT:

The Parent Support Network is a parent-driven, family focused program that provides parents who are concerned about their children's mental health with a dependable and caring network, valuable peer support, and access to peer recommended resources in their local communities.

EVENTS:

We help create events that spark positive dialogue and bring the subject of youth mental health to life in a way that is compelling, inspiring, and informative.

FILM SCREENINGS:

We foster community dialogue through community screenings of the award-winning film, No Letting Go. Speakers and materials are available to help facilitate post-screening discussions.

EDUCATION:

In addition to our Fact Sheet series, our Understanding Youth Mental Health booklet, created in partnership with Silver Hill Hospital and our Understanding Youth Mental Health: Questions Parents Frequently Ask guidebook, created in partnership with Child Guidance Mid-Fairfield County, are great tools for those who want to learn more.

ABOUT JESSE CODY:

Jesse Cody is the wilderness explorer behind "Hike the Good Hike." His mission is to use HTGH to raise mental health awareness and help fund organizations dedicated to improving mental health. Several years ago, Jesse's own mental health struggles led him to become suicidal. He was at a crossroads and asked himself, "Do you want to continue on like this, a path that could end in tragedy, or do you want to live?" A series of serendipitous events led him to stumble upon Bill Bryson's book A Walk In The Woods about hiking the Appalachian Trail. A few months later, he found himself at the trailhead on Springer Mountain about to embark on a 2,200 mile hike, despite the fact that he'd never so much as pitched a tent before. It was the walk that saved his life.

He has since hiked over 7,000 miles and has used his story to inspire countless others. Through his writing and social media presence, he's gained a significant audience who have inspired him to continue growing my mantra "Hike the Good Hike" into a mental health awareness movement. Check out Jesse's video here.

OUR COLLABORATION:

The Youth Mental Health Project is delighted to announce a new partnership with the amazing Jesse Cody and Hike the Good Hike. The mission of The Youth Mental Health Project is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of youth. Hike the Good Hike is committed to raising awareness about mental health and helping people cultivate more positive mindsets and lifestyles. Together, we will work to create a world where people are just as aware of their mental health as they are of their physical health, and where all families are able to readily access the mental health care and support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

While hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this summer, Jesse will be busting stigmas, increasing awareness, raising critical funds, and celebrating hope by "Walking and Talking for Youth Mental Health" - turning his powerful hike into a mental health awareness movement! His goal is to bring attention to the importance of understanding mental health and to raise $50,000 to fund essential programs of The Youth Mental Health Project that support and educate families who are struggling. Show your support by DONATING to his campaign or follow Jesse on social media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hikethegoodhike/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hikethegoodhike

and https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cody.77

The Youth Mental Health Project is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ymhproject/

and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YMHProject

And even after these extensive notes, Randi sent me more vital information.

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10 - 34
• 1 out of 5 children experience a mental health disorder in a given year
• Mental health disorders are more common than cancer, lung disease, and heart disease combined
• 50% of all lifetime cases of mental health disorders emerge before the age of 14 years old
• Just like with any other health condition, early intervention and prevention can improve outcomes
• A 2015 study from Stanford University found that walking in nature yields measurable mental benefits and may reduce risk of depression. https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/
• one study showed a reduction in stress-related responses such as lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in saliva after hiking. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/8/905
• Research suggests that hiking mountainous areas with altitude differences can increase feelings of valence (pleasure), elation (or happiness) and calmness, and feelings of anxiety and fatigue may decrease immediately after hiking. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177719

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

About ten years ago, you would never have guessed that Richie Holbrook would be taking on the Appalachian Trail. He was in a wheelchair, on oxygen, and with a hopeless pair of lungs. A transplant turned out to be his life-saver. This year, he was able to get on the trail and begin his journey to Katahdin.

His remarkable story is a testimony to not only grit and determination, but also the unwitting gesture of an anonymous person who chose to be an organ donor. Richie's journey is a legacy for that person and he is trying to spread awareness of the need to opt in to organ donation, rather than the more obvious solution of requiring people to opt out. That one change would make a huge difference in the pool of potential organ donors. If you've never thought of this issue before, Richie will open your eyes today.

You can find out more about organ donation at http://organdonor.gov/, while Richie can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/richard.holbrook.1656 and on YouTube at https://youtube.com/channel/UCv8U1Iuo33Vue69NoQc_saA

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

Today is the first of four shorter shows, with just one main interview and a few words of commentary from me. With a bit of luck, I'll be out on the John Muir Trail as you're listening to me and my guests.

Our guests today are Vince and Monica Strawbridge who, along with their four children and a friend, have recently completed the Appalachian Trail. For the Strawbridges, it was the culmination of their family Triple Crown.

This remarkable feat was achieved over a few years as the family responded to the hard times of the financial crisis by getting out on trails and realizing that their kids not only took to the lifestyle, but actually thrived out there.

The family maintained a YouTube and Instagram account as they completed their hikes. You can visit them here.

https://www.youtube.com/strawbridgetreksfamily

https://www.instagram.com/strawbridgetreks/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

We return to the world of YouTube this week, with another interview of a woman who successfully thru-hiked the trail and recorded her experiences along the way. Gretchen Pardon shared her joys, and her sorrows. So, when we spoke, I always knew we'd get to talk about her depression and anxiety. Her sunny disposition masks an inner strength and occasional anxiety that she faces. It was important to Gretchen that she was able to share this part of herself.

If you'd like to connect with Braids or see some of her adventures, she can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/HikingwithBraids/,

on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hikingwithbraids/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hikingwithbraids

Katie has returned home for a family birthday, so this week we took the chance to reflect on her first third of the trail. When we next hear from her, I'll be back from the JMT, so I look forward to catching up with her then.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

This week, let's welcome a newly minted thru-hiking couple to the show. Jessica Mills (Dixie) and her partner, MarDe Brooks, recently completed the Florida Trail, wading through swamps, bugs, gators and hot weather along the way.

Jessica has been on the show before, but I was particularly interested in the dynamic between the two of them as they faced the test of a thru-hike.

With the hike now in their rearview mirror, Jessica decided to repay MarDe's gesture of hiking with her by joining him where he is the most comfortable–on stage, singing at a festival. You can hear that here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKU1t6zQDpk

If you want to see and hear more of Jessica and MarDe, check out the links below.

MarDe Brooks Social Media Links •YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyygaT4mrVUfF7UC6pGgF-w

•Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7txM1hlPgJt6CGJosCgPgA

•Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MarDeBrooksMusic

•Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MarDeBrooksMusic

•Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MarDeBrooks/posts

Website: www.MarDeBrooks.com

Jessica "Dixie" Mills Social Media Links •YouTube: www.YouTube.com/c/HomemadeWanderlust •Facebook: www.Facebook.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HomemadeWanderlust •Patreon: www.patreon.com/HomemadeWanderlust

Katie has reached the rocks of Pennsylvania and is coping well with them. She catches us up with her progress over the past week.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

This week, our guest is Michael Sisemore, better known as Sy. As many people do, Michael hiked the Appalachian Trail when he was at a real crossroads in his life. He had no idea what he'd be doing after the trail but allowed himself the luxury of being open to all possibilities. The transformation that came his way was seismic, with the effects reverberating down the years nearly a quarter of a century later.

Michael found a life that worked for him, and has now written a book that talks of those changes, as well as the meeting and very close friendship with a true trail legend. His story is fascinating.

You can read some great excerpts from the book at http://www.intherealworldihike.com/ and follow Sy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/at99sy/

If you'd like to buy his book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094CXWV11?pf_rd_r=A7B6KASNTC21KNPFRT1S&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=999176fe-f691-46ad-9b35-439412a22d99&pd_rd_w=MNzIJ&pd_rd_wg=qwQaX&ref_=pd_gw_unk

Katie has been putting in the miles this week, having eased herself back into her hike after her unfortunate injury. She also passed a special milestone.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

This week on the show, we go back to the 'normal" format, with me, Mighty Blue, at the microphone. Ryan is passing back the show having successfully steered it for the past three months. I am eternally grateful for the effort Ryan put into the show and hope to have him back behind the mic from time to time.

Today's guest is Steve Nota, a Bostonian relocated to Australia. Steve shares his story about hiking as a youngster, then moving to Australia and hiking "tracks" out there. He will attempt to realize a burning ambition to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2022.

As you can see from the pictures, the Aussie "tracks" provide the hiker with some glorious views.

Katie Westling has settled more into her hike and crossed two state borders this past week. Her progress is measured, but our listeners continue to support her in her journey, with two "Angels" helping her through Pennsylvania.

Now that I'm back in my recording seat, please let me know of any guests you'd like me to speak with by emailing me at [email protected].

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

Lisa Speas or "Conundrum" has been long-distance backpacking for many years traversing a variety of trails, the longest of which being the Appalachian Trail. Her AT journey was anything but typical and even included flatlining in the emergency room.

Lisa and Ryan discuss her journey on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, and the Great Allegheny Passage. She also shares her experience and advice for women hikers over 50 and how her backpacking style has evolved over the years.

Katie Westling is out of the Shennies at last!! The knee continues to improve, and she is past the Roller coaster. All in all, a week of success, including her picture at the ATC in Harpers Ferry.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

We've got a couple of overachievers on the show today. Kera and Bill decided that an Appalachian Trail thru-hike wasn't sufficient to scratch their adventure itch, so they went straight from their 2200-mile walk to a 5000-mile bike trip, crossing the country from Bar Harbor to San Diego–taking a fairly circuitous route, it must be said!

The two of them had such a blast on the trail–and this was in 2020, Covid Year–that they regarded their journey as not a case of stepping away from their previous lives but more towards their future lives.

Going forward, Kera and Bill will be sharing their knowledge of the trail, plus their knowledge of bikepacking, so I urge you to visit their various social media sites below, as well as look out for their website coming soon.

Always & Sunny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysSunnyAT

Always & Sunny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Always_Sunny_AT/

Our Website (coming soon): https://www.adventurememories.life/

Katie has been learning valuable lessons on the trail, but her hike is back on and she shares with Steve her last few days in Shenandoah, with reflections upon those lessons.

At last, we've come to the concluding chapter of Larry Luxenburg's Walking the Appalachian Trail, with Larry summing up the trail afterlife so beautifully and so topically, even though this was written nearly 30 years ago. Some things on the trail never change.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.

On a beautiful day in the Grayson Highlands, Ryan hikes and sits down with Nimblewill Nomad for a follow-up interview from the last time they spoke on the trail.

Nimblewill is over 900 total miles in since leaving Flagg Mountain, Alabama, earlier this year. He is attempting to set a record by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail at 83 years old. His hike this season has drawn the attention of many in the trail community and all are rooting for his success. Hike on Nimblewill!

https://nimblewillnomad.com/

Email Ryan: [email protected]

Katie continues her tentative on-trail rehab. She is still in Shenandoah National Park and gradually increasing the pressure on her knee. Steve and Katie discuss her plans to increase both the weight that she's carrying as well as the number of miles she is doing. As always, her determined spirit shines through.

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com

Any support is gratefully received.