Episode 51 - GenX Speaks Series: Wes Alford - Hiking for Hope

In this episode we welcome Wes Alford, founder of the nonprofit Hiking for Hope.  Wes shares about his childhood growing up in Oregon on a farm raising livestock and training horses.  Wes reflects on how most of his adolescence was spent involved with the court and juvenile system in Oregon until he enlisted in the Army at 18.  Participation in the Job Corps led to his first job at a collection agency, which was the beginning of his career in finance.  A move to Arizona offered him an opportunity in the mortgage industry in addition to getting married and starting a family.  After divorcing he stepped onto the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time and had a completely life changing experience.  Wes started the trail as an alcoholic and smoker, in addition to being overweight.  He ended his hike 65 pounds lighter and hasn’t touched alcohol or smoked since.  That experience was part of the inspiration behind Hiking for Hope.  The other inspiration came from two of his children being diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes, which led to Hiking for Hope’s mission.  Wes has planned a 12,000 mile hike in America to spread Diabetes and mental health awareness.  Wes and his two sons started the hike in March 2025 and had a very eventful month that included getting hit with such a bad storm that Search and Rescue was called, his sons having to return home early, Wes continuing the hike solo but suffering an accident that resulted in two torn rotator cuffs and some of his teeth getting knocked out, and finally, Wes unknowingly suffering a heart attack for about 6 days on trail.  He plans on picking back up on Hiking for Hope’s 12,000 mile trek in early 2026.  Wes also shares his ultimate goal of being able to take underserved individuals onto the Pacific Crest Trail to have their own unique and life changing experience.  We were so inspired by Wes’s story, and how he not only broke the cycle of generational trauma with his own four children, but how he transformed his life into something so meaningful.  We encourage everyone to follow Hiking for Hope so you can track Wes’s progress as he hikes those 12,000 miles to help others.  Check Out Hiking For Hope Here:https://hikingforhope.com/https://hikingforhope.com/merchandiseTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hikingforhope2025?_t=ZT-90HbfV4fG4d&_r=1  IG: https://www.instagram.com/hikingforhope2025?igsh=Z3JnZXdjc2d1ZHcw&utm_source=qr  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hikingforhope2025?si=eXH59y-CeB3eoFel  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19tmNqngzT/?mibextid=wwXIfr  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-alford-2597b8177?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appCheck Us Out Here:https://genxadultingpodcast.com/#hiking #hike #trail #pacificcresttrail #diabetes #mentalhealth #hikingforhope #genx #genxtalks #over50 #over40 #interview #military #finance #family #marriage #divorce #dad #father #nonprofit #army #juvenilesystem #oregon #farm #farmlife #livestock #horses Check us out at genxadulting.com#generationx #genx #podcast #marriage #relationship #interview #mom #family