Julia "Rocket" Sheehan on Her Social Media Fall from Grace, Quitting on a Thru-Hike, and Her New Book (BPR #311)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Julia Sheehan, known on trail, as Rocket. Julia is a thru-hiker, former Trek Vlogger, social media sensation, nurse, and now a published author. Julia details how impulsive decision-making lead her to the wonderful world that is thru-hiking, inspired in part by everyone's favorite Hiking Viking. Rocket also shares how health issues ultimately forced her off-trail, the unsavory response she's gotten from some in the social media sphere in light of "quitting" and subsequently posting non-hiking content. Julia also shares the process in self-publishing her brand new book, Hiking is the Easy Part, a memoir of her thru-hike on the AT. We wrap the show with some news about Trail Correspondents 2026 edition, the story of a hiker that was found alive at a popular PCT pitstop after being lost in the backcountry for weeks, how much weight people lose during an AT thru-hike (and why it's generally not a good long term weight loss strategy), Chaunce and I have a borderline-impossible coincidence during today's QOTD, and the triple crown of albums. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKSPRING15" at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Ombraz: Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/, and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Julia "Rocket" Sheehan Rocket's Instagram Rocket's Youtube Rocket's Blog Time stamps & Questions 00:05:30 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:07:45 - Introducing Rocket 00:08:20 - Tell us about your social media journey 00:15:30 - Did you ever feel like you could make a living from social media? 00:17:10 - Tell us about your background in the military 00:19:30 - How did you transition from the military to nursing? 00:21:15 - Can you talk about running from things prior to thru-hiking? 00:23:00 - Discussion about Rocket's eating disorder 00:27:50 - What got you to the AT? 00:32:00 - What was the beginning of the AT like? 00:34:45 - At what point did thru-hiking click for you? 00:38:57 - What's the hard part of thru-hiking? 00:43:00 - Tell us about the half gallon challenge 00:45:15 - How did you get your trail name? 00:48:00 - What did you think of the AZT? 00:50:20 - How did covid impact your hike? 00:52:35 - Did you encounter rattlesnakes or other creatures? 00:53:40 - What was the water situation like early in the season? 00:54:14 - Tell us about starting the CDT SOBO? 00:57:45 - What was the commentary like when you got off trail? 01:00:50 - How did you end up on the PCT? 01:02:10 - Tell us the story about getting off the PCT 01:06:50 - Did your nursing background help you diagnose anything? 01:07:50 - What was the backlash after getting off the PCT? 01:12:40 - What yoga poses would you recommend to thru-hikers? 01:14:14 - How is your health now? 01:16:40 - Tell us about writing your book 01:20:25 - What's the most revealing thing you put in the book? 01:22:42 - How's the early response been for the book? 01:25:10 - What's next for you? 01:27:01 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: Missing Sierra Hiker Found Alive at Popular PCT Pitstop After Weeks Lost in the Backcountry by Katie Jackson AT Thru-Hikers Are Losing a Shocking Amount of Weight On-Trail: Here's How To Not Lose Too Much by Katie Jackson QOTD:  What's something you learned embarrassingly late in life? Triple Crown of albums Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. 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