Gentle Persuasion: From Walks to Hikes
I mentioned in a previous article how I transitioned from an attempt at marathon cycling to walks, and then to hikes. This time, I want to focus on exactly how that transition came into being. I began doing regular walks during my push for marathon cycling until my knee decided to give out. That defining moment led me to transition to almost daily walks, which I increased in distance and pace with each successive outing. I have an inner drive to push myself with anything I do physically; it’s only natural for me to push beyond my limits in an attempt for personal gratification. Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment, but that innate drive is undeniable.
While I was doing these walks, I’d frequently post my stats, photos, and descriptions of my adventures. I mentioned my friend Jason in the last hiking article (he’ll be mentioned heavily in the next one, too), as he’s been an integral part of my foray into hiking. He saw my posts and made a comment about how I was basically hiking already. I realized he was right, but initially, I was hesitant to start heading into the woods. I was still concerned with pace and continually upping the ante on my existing cardio routine. So initially, it didn't seem as appealing to slow down and take a walk through nature—but once I thought about it, I realized this was exactly what I should do next, and I decided to act on this great observation from my friend.
The First True Trail
It was an extremely warm day in April 2025 in Michigan that I decided to tackle my first true hiking trail. Based on Jason’s recommendation, I decided to pick up trekking poles from REI. They came in handy for my first hike, though, honestly, they weren’t really necessary for the hills and inclines that I would be traversing. Still, they were nice to acquire, as they would become useful on one of my next adventures exploring the beautiful granite of Yosemite in California. For now, while they weren't as useful, they still were nice to have on my first journey.
I was stepping into a world of the unknown, never having done a true hike through the woods on my own other than when I was young—if you want to consider those walks through the wood "hikes." I had never planned on journeying for miles into the unknown by myself, with no guide and no help, only a cell phone for navigation and my own will. I set my sights on a little State Park located in Holly, Michigan, called Holly State Recreational Area. There were two trails that sit adjacent to each other, and I decided to tackle the one that ventured deepest into the woods. I was excited, but also a little petrified. What if my knee gives out? What if it can't handle hiking and I'm stuck there on my own with a blown-out knee? It was a risk I was willing to take, and one that I’m glad I did.
The Healing Power of the Trails
Upon arriving, I noted the other adventurers that had arrived for their hikes. None of them had trekking poles except maybe one older couple, but there were only a few people out there. It really wasn't crowded; it was pretty quiet. For such a warm day early in the year in Michigan, I was expecting to see it packed, but it was great to be able to venture on my own for a little bit of peace and solitude. This peace and solitude that I would acquire on this hike is what would lock me into the love of hiking—understanding that there's something about being alone in nature that truly grounds you and brings you to a place that no other activity can. It was the start of my new obsession: my obsession with nature.
As I looked for the trailhead to begin my adventure, I nervously took a deep breath, venturing down the path into the unknown. Looking around, all the leaves were already fallen from the branches; the ground was laid true with the dead reminder of the past brilliance from the previous summer. The crackling of the leaves as they crumbled under my feet was a truly invigorating sensation, and it really sparked my "adventure senses" that this was going to be something special.
For the first ten minutes, I didn't see anyone; it was just me and the wilderness. Eventually, I would come across an older gentleman walking on his own, to whom I nodded and said hello, and he delightfully said hello back. Most people on the trails tend to be in the same sense of adventurous spirit that you are and just have a general calm friendliness to them. Every now and then, you run into the occasional person who's trying to find themselves, maybe going through something traumatic or difficult in their life. But usually, you find good-spirited, happy people. I know that down feeling, because I’ve been there. There have been many times where I’ve taken a walk on a trail not feeling good or feeling depressed, and once I'm done, I might still be a little down, but there's something to be said for completing a hike in that state. It proves that even when you're going through something traumatic, you can push through and still accomplish things. When you get that sense of accomplishment from a hike, even when you're in a "down and out" place, it really does have an uplifting effect on you.
Pushing the Limits
As I progressed through the trail, I saw so many beautiful sights: trees blown over creating obstacles, little ponds and creeks created from the rain a few days prior. The sites were beautiful—the birds chirping, filling the silence with echoes of life, the wind gently blowing, the warmth of the sun shining through the clouds, and those crackling leaves beneath my feet. It was truly a surreal experience of peace and tranquility.
Of course, the "cardio guy" in me decided to jog a little bit in sections. This caused my knee to start acting up, but it was nothing I couldn't push through. I should mention that before I took on this hike, Jason and I were discussing the possibility of me visiting Yosemite to hike with him. This was kind of a test bed for me to see if I could handle the high inclines, hills, and obstacles. While it proved to be a little painful at first, I realized I could push through it, and the pain would eventually subside. This lesson came in crucial later in my life when I did a 30-mile hike, but we'll talk about that in another article.
I ended up doing three miles one way and loved it so much that I went home, got a bite to eat, and then came back and walked the same trail three miles in reverse. It was the same incredible experience, and I was so happy to see the other side of the views from approaching in the counter-clockwise direction. That's a beautiful thing about hiking trails: you can go one way—say, clockwise—and have one experience, and then traverse it counter-clockwise to see so many different angles and perspectives. It's kind of like life; once you view life from all those different angles, that's when you truly find a sense of alignment, purpose, and being.
The Road Ahead
I finished the second trek, and while my knee definitely was not feeling too pleasant afterward, I knew I was fine. This was just the beginning of my hiking adventures. I immediately started plotting and planning for new hikes, deciding my next hike would be at Seven Lakes State Park, also in Holly, Michigan. That hike was also an adventure all its own, which led me to realize there are just so many beautiful places located right around town where you can just explore and be free.
If you aren't a hiker, you’ve got to give it a try. I promise it’s so healthy for your soul. Most trails allow you to bring a dog, so if you don’t want to go by yourself, bring your dog. I tend to go on my own, which helps build strength and courage. Knowing that if something goes terribly wrong, you have no one there to save you—it truly builds your spirit, your confidence, and your soul.
I know this article doesn’t touch on every technical detail of the hike; it gets into more philosophical avenues. That's just where my head is these days—spending a lot of time with inner healing and growth, understanding this is the only way forward. My Yosemite article will focus on the details of everything Jason and I witnessed on that adventure, but this was an introduction to how I became obsessed with hiking. I want you guys to know that this is something that will stick with me forever. Aside from the love of my children—who always come first—this is the love of my life.