Southbound and Stubborn: Unpacking the Appalachian Trail FKT

After 2,200 miles, 45 days, and more duct-taped shoes than I care to admit, I finally set the self-supported Appalachian Trail FKT. In this episode, Allison Mercer and I dive into the full story—why I went back to the AT, how it nearly broke me (again), and what it takes to push through when your body is screaming “stop” but you’ve still got 80 miles to cover.Consider supporting the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6530749?We talk about the shoe disaster (two left shoes, then two right shoes), sleepless nights, eerie solo miles, and the weird little things that kept me going—like listening to Pirates vs. Marlins baseball games at midnight in the green tunnel. We get into the strategy of easing into the miles, then ratcheting up the effort until there’s nothing left to give.Buy a hoodie and support the Trevor Project: https://www.bonfire.com/fastest-known-tiger/This wasn’t just about me or a number on a spreadsheet. Thanks to thousands of people, we raised over $30,000 for The Trevor Project, proving that adventure can be about something much bigger than one person chasing a record.It’s the whole journey—why I started, how I finished, and what it means when the trail teaches you more than you ever expected.Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandancepartyChapters00:00 Introduction and First Impressions02:50 The Journey of the Appalachian Trail06:08 Motivation Behind the FKT Attempt08:54 Preparation and Training for the FKT11:46 Challenges Faced on the Trail15:03 Social Interactions and Trail Community17:51 Mental Strategies for Endurance21:05 Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated23:49 The Significance of Self-Supported Records27:05 Gear and Supplies Management29:56 Communication and Updates During the FKT32:50 Fundraising for the Trevor Project35:43 Recognition of Fellow Hikers39:01 Conclusion and Future PlansSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected] the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside