INSIGHTS
inspiring you to
hike your own hike
As a backpacker, a professional musician and radio host, Alison Young offers a unique perspective on life’s journey.
Deep dives include her cancer journey, intentional quitting, managing loss and regret, spiritual renewal and a search for lasting joy, plus regaining activity after two total hip replacements and the benefits of walking.
Choose Your Battles: Knowing When to Call it Quits
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is recognize when a situation no longer serves you and have the courage to walk away.
Joy is a Practice
Joy is not about the absence of difficulties. It’s a practice to keep our eyes open to the many small miracles that happen all around us, all the time.
Aliveness
A wise person said that “The goal of life is not happiness, peace, or fulfillment, but aliveness.” Sometimes curiosity about what’s around the next corner is enough to keep us exploring and moving forward.
Mindset in Motion
Sometimes we can’t wait for the right mindset to show up. Sometimes we have to step into the behavior first, and trust that the mindset will follow.
Embrace the Suck
The trail—like life—may not always be what we want it to be, but it offers us the opportunity to choose how we respond to whatever it doles out.
Open to Awe
Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between is a great mindset when planning a major thru-hike – or any major life endeavor.
Freak Show
I didn’t expect much when someone asked to closely examine my deformed hands—but the moment ended up teaching me about what truly matters – and what doesn’t.
Second Spring
Spring reminds us that change is inevitable, and no matter how uncomfortable that might feel, change is also full of promise.
Let the Day Unfold
The lowly New Zealand sandfly teaches us about impermanence, to keep moving forward and to stay open to possibility.
Life is Wide
“Life may be short, but it’s also wide” suggests we accept life’s limits while also being astonished by its abundance.
Never Quit on a Bad Day
When everything goes sideways and you’re having a bad day, repeat the mantra to not quit today but instead give yourself the self-love, the break, the reset to get back on track.
Be Where Your Feet Are
Walking through woodland ephemerals in early spring reminds us to embrace impermanence and stay present in the here and now.