In 2024 Tara Dower thru-hiked all 2,197 miles of Appalachian trail in 40 days, the fastest it's every been done. This episode isn’t just about endurance or athletic achievement—it’s a candid look at the mental hurdles that come with declaring bold goals, the moments of doubt and fear that arise when the stakes are highest, and the team effort often hidden behind an individual’s success.
Let's go to the Appalachian Trail. The AT as it’s called. Here’s some stats. At just under 2200 miles It’s longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Each year roughly 3 million people visit a segment of it. Of that, about 3000 people attempt to hike the whole thing… with only fraction finishing. Last year 1 of those finishers did it faster than anyone else. Thru-hiking the AT typically takes about 4-7 months, Tara Dower did in just 40 days.
Tara shares the highs and lows of her journey. She opens up about what drives her to keep moving forward, the importance of curiosity and confidence, and the value of learning to suffer with purpose.