Finding Joy in Unusual Circumstances: Lessons from the Trail

I recently escaped to the mountains on two separate occasions seeking solace. The first was November 7 when the nation awaited election results. The second was five days after a bomb cyclone left more than 600,000 people in Western Washington without electricity. Despite the contrast in challenging conditions, both outings brought me opportunities for growth, …

How to Be Happy Now: Stop Chasing Elusive “There”

I’m guilty of thinking, “When I do X, then I’ll feel happy.” This week, I gave a one-hour seminar on nutrition for hikers and trekkers, a process that began in August and spanned three months. I thought I would be thrilled to talk to a large group of people and elated to develop a new …

Turn Challenge into Strength: Shift from Doubts to Wins

This week featured outings to Otter Falls and Tiger’s Poo Poo Point. Challenges that once felt intimidating (solo hiking and hiking with strangers) have become familiar. My new challenges are returning to public speaking, developing new content, and testing neuroscience-based training methods with several clients. As I build skills in exploring the mountains in new …