
When I was 11, my family went camping on Mount Desert Island. That was the first time I ever went on a “real” hike, and I loved it so much my mother bought me a little yellow tee shirt with a mountain goat on it.
That family trip sparked a sense of physical empowerment for me, a feeling that I was strong and capable. To this day I enjoy challenging myself, whether it’s on a hike, hauling firewood, riding a bike, taking a long swim, or going for a run.
Well into adulthood, I took my abilities and able-ness for granted. The longer and more difficult the hiking trail, the better. But recent experiences have shifted my perspective.