My Go-To Sources for Pre-PCT Inspiration
1. She Explores Podcast: https://she-explores.com/
2. Caroline Gleich: https://carolinegleich.com/
Caroline is a professional mountaineer and all-around badass who is currently preparing to summit Everest. I deeply respect her continued dedication to using her platform as a professional athlete to advocate for social and environmental justice. Watching Caroline fight through a recent ACL injury as she remains dedicated to her goal of summiting Everest inspires me to keep on keeping on and makes me ask myself “what’s my excuse for not going after my goals?”
3. Grizel: https://www.instagram.com/_grizel_/
Grizel is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail with her pup, Rue. Grizel is honest about the challenges she faces as a Latina thru-hiker and the difficulties of the trail. Something about her honesty and her ability to constantly find empowerment from the adversity she faces is refreshing and inspiring. Grizel reminds me that yes, thru-hiking is hard, but yes, I can do it.
4. My Mom
I am tremendously fortunate enough to have a best friend and a mother all wrapped up in one. She is my biggest supporter, largest cheerleader, personal hype-woman, and fiercest protector. In moments when my self-confidence plummets and my mind is overrun with self-doubt, she is only one phone call away. Though backpacking, rock-climbing, and solo-travel aren’t her forte, she will sit on the phone with me as I share my anxieties about this year’s snowpack or my struggle in deciding what kind of stove to carry, if any. She always responds with love and compassion: something along the lines of “You can do it, I believe in you” and always with the added, “But you can always move home if your dream-chasing doesn’t work out. I will always love you.” So if you need some inspiration, give your best friend a call—be it your mom or not.
I hope this list is helpful to those of you in need of a quick reminder that you are powerful and capable. As my thru-hike grows closer and closer, I can assure you that I will be more and more frequently be returning to this list.
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