Dixie this should be a ted talk. The warrior mindset of a thru-hiker for success and happiness. I am so glad you did Jack's show. Your wisdom and positivity are a breath of fresh air !
#11!! Before I left France to start walking the Camino, one of my friends told her French mom I was going and she said something like "We will see if she makes it". So that pretty much cinched that I would walk into Santiago come hell or high water. No one puts baby in the corner. LOL
#13 is so mine. " Bad days make Good Stories later ". I can remember every detail of a cold rain soaked trip but never dwell on the blue sky perfect ventures.
My wife and I hike together, it allows us to support each other whenever one of us is having a bad day. Remember never quit the trail while you’re hiking it. Take a 0 day before making that decision sometimes you just need a rest. Good Luck everyone PCT 2018
💥 *Time Stamp* 💥 💪 😍 👍 0:46 #1 *Make a List* 1:37 #2 *Work hard/Rest Hard* 2:40 #3 *Mix it up* 3:44 #4 *Practice being in the Momment* 4:38 #5 *Make a TO DO LIST* 5:39 #6 *Focus on what you can control* 6:42 #7 *Pick your favorite part of every day* 7:32 #8 *celebrate your milestones* 8:15 #9 *Keep Learning* 8:48 #10 *Be Grateful* 9:24 #11 *Let the Naysayers be an inspiration* 11:16 #12 *See the Silver lining* 12:25 #13 *Bad days make good stories* 13:20 #14 *Visualize the End* 14:18 #15 *Motivate Others* 💪 😍 👍 Yahoo... *I am the 101 Commentor* and *660th person to like this video* ...Yahoo-me !!
9:10 yes! Please remember how grateful we all are that you have chosen to share your adventures with us and that you allow us to see things and places that some of us will never get to experience!!! Thank you sooo much!
The information conveyed in this video is the best she’s produced. A “must watch” for a hiker or anyone who feels they are stuck in a rut or life/job situation and needs to stay motivated to finish a task.
Thank you for this! I bailed 4 days into my 1st thru-hike attempt of the Tahoe Rim Trail (it's only 170 miles, so not the PCT/AT/CDT, but it's big for me). I remember being mad at the trail, tired of seeing Lake Tahoe (!) all the time, mixed in with happiness at doing something solo. But I stopped because of a moment of just complete "over it" feelings. Since then, I've had to talk myself out of feeling like a failure, then making plans to section-hike pieces only to get spooked by a bear trying to get in my vestibule, then regrouping and deciding to tackle it again but with other people. It's so reassuring to hear you talk about all the same challenges I experienced. Makes me feel like I had a normal 1st try!
I wish there was a LOVE button! Not even as a thru hike motivation list but as a life living list it is fantastic! I wish everyone had a similar perspective and positivity as you!
I love your upbeat clarity & perspective! My Grandfather, well over 50 years ago taught me that "Every day on this side of the dirt is Thanksgiving". I still live like that and wouldn't know how to, or want to, do it any other way. Stay happy. ; )
All great ideas, Dixie. Thanks for sharing. Love the part about building each other up will make this a better world. Not a cliche when it is a spot on true statement. Keep the videos coming.
I have told you before and I must tell you again. You are the most inspirational person on RU-vid for boys and girls and men and women. I can't thank you enough for what you do, you are a very special person. God bless you. I can't hike anymore but you got me up to at least to walk my local trails the best I can. Keep it up.
13 is so true and often overlooked. Most of the best stories in my life, which has not been uneventful, developed from experiences that at the time were considered difficult or unpleasant. Thanks again Dixie!
Wow! So inspirational - and it occurred to me that every suggestion applies to the journey of life, using the trail as a metaphor. You've encouraged me, and helped me with challenges beyond hiking! Thanks!
Loved your #10! All your posts rock, but a lot of times a person can find themselves wishing that, if only. Do to a large variety of reasons for a lot of us its just not possible. Home mortgage, medical conditions, family duties and responsibilities, or simply a job that will not let us, but we can all learn and make the most of what God has given us. It's good to hear you say that you realize the special place and opportunites that you've been given, and have made happen. The rest of us can just watch, laugh, and wish we were young again too. All this just makes the times we can get out all the more special. Keep it up! P.S- Really loved all the PCT with the only exception, Donner Pass reunion with Perk. Was thinking Ya all could do a little reenactment for us, "Southern Style". You know, Red Butler and Scralett O'Hara, complete with backpacks, a dip, and Perk saying, "Frankly Dixie, I don't give a damn." LOL
There is a place for the catharsis of venting. Vent, then know when to be done venting and take all of Dixie's advice. Gotta feel those feelings a little bit, and validate them. Took me forever to learn that.
: ) Did a winter family hike, 12 or 13 of us, into deep gap in Pisgah The start was downhill for miles in the rain... overnight brought over a foot of snow... next day was uphill all day in new snow... are you getting an image yet? "Look that way Margery there's a really cool branch covered in ice... 'don't pay any attention that I am throwing this 180-200mm zoom lense off the side of the trail into to forest below!" The sustaining part for me was hearing and interacting, positive, negative and in between with the others. Alone times, hike Eagle Creek approach AT from Lake Fontana to the verge of hypothermia and bivouac on trail.. oh oops, I enjoyed that... especially walking next day past deer and bear all enjoying the peaceful beauty of the day and then down to the shelter near/at Spence field to find it full with hikers and the gate/fence closed... Sat and started dinner and camp fire. They came out. I geared up and continued for another night hike... no near hypothermia that night... Fav part was stopping randomly for a break to find on the the NC/TN border I was sitting on Rocky Top mtn!!! Guess solo time helps me keep perspective. Sometimes I get to scared to talk with people and so I visit the wild, the ever-changing wild. : )
I really appreciated your idea of building a list of things to do after you get back. My biggest problem has been post hike blues. I'm pretty good on the trail, but I still struggle once I'm done. I just eat and sleep for 1-2 weeks, and tell people I'm back and then feel like crap, and like I don't belong.
Love this video, Dixie. Thank you for these 15 gifts. Cool effects, Aaron! Yes, your point with # 2 is spot on in this synthetic world. As a self employed person, it is not always comfortable to take a day and just rest. I feel guilty. But you are so correct in saying to 'rest hard'. You do feel so energized after taking that well deserved rest. Thank you for pointing out how good...and OK ....it is to rest and relax. #10...Be grateful. So, so true. In this 'normal' world as well as on the trail. It's like turning on a lightbulb that chases away the gloom. #11....Your comment about 'naysayers' was great. It made me smile. "Don't let someone else's doubt make you doubt yourself.“ Beautiful. #13....Bad days make good stories. Yep, they sure do! :-) #15.....Yes!
I really love your viewpoint on life and all the great info and insight you share. Your channel is solid, thoughtful and very down to earth. Super appreciate you and all that you do
I read a thru-hiker say in his blog once that having the most ultralight waterproof cuben fiber titanium 950FP down gear doesn't get you to the end of your hike; your willingness to get up every day and put one foot in front of the other does.
This is all such great advice! Thanks for all that you share with us Dixie- it is sincerely inspiring for me to hear your positivity, not just here but in all your videos. Even when you have been clearly very upset, you had a positive message. I can’t imagine most people facing setbacks with an outlook like yours.
Dixie, you are a wonderful person. I just thought you should know that! I am very far away from the US ( Bulgaria ) but I live these adventures through your videos. Thank you for that opportunity!
I’ve seen some hard times in life and one thing I did is remind my self that things will get better. So I’d determine to make it through the day, if I couldn’t seem to do a whole day then through the next hour and so forth all the way down to second by second. Each one you live through gives hope until it really does get better and you pass through it stronger and wiser.
Inspiring! And so my secret to life is to hang out with these young adults, those who are going some place, the thru-hikers and the world travelers, the doers and the dreamers. Thanks, Dixie!
Awesome to watch this. I agree that misery makes some of the best memories. My friend Nuthin Stuck said my misery made the best photo's which I gotta admit, he had some great photo's he took of me freezing my fingers and toes off! I like your advice, and think a lot of it's stuff I thought about as well. Only thing for me was that I never didn't want to be there. There were times I wanted a beer, or a bed, or a steak, or a bed, or a hot shower, or a bed... oh yeah, I am completely grateful for my bed if you didn't notice.. :) But like you said, every day I found something cool to see, or it was crappy and cold and rainy and the entire miserableness of it all made it funny. The ability to see something cool and new on the trail every day is my # 1 thing that I have seen with all the people who complete the trail. Thank you again for your videos, you rock. -Too Clean
I love your videos Dixie! I met a former thru hiker that used the term delayed fun for things that happen that are not fun or maybe scary that later you tell stories about and laugh.
The mental aspect of hiking and trying to stay motivated to me if extremely important and can make or break a hike. Thanks for taking the time to post the ways that you used to help stay motivated. I have enjoyed following your adventures and thanks again for taking the time to post.
Love to see this positive attitude. I am right there with you to much negativity on social media most times. I find staying positive and sharing that positive attitude can be contagious. "Just a good morning and how is your day" can bring a smile to people faces. My goal personally is to make at least 1 person smile everyday and pass the good deeds forward. Thanks for all you videos they are awesome as always, keep them coming.
Dixie, Thanks for another fine video. I discovered your channel only two months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed all your thru hiking and informational videos. I am currently involved in a now 6 month work project, parts of which have been quite grueling. I felt a kinship with your persevering nature in getting through some tough parts. When I was tired in the evening I'd watch some of your PCT episodes and think to myself OK, Dixie, let's see what we can get done tomorrow. Thank you for your uplifting influence and your positivity. BTW, the item in this video about rest is extremely important in my experience. A long time ago I learned a procedure to gain deep rest. It has been very useful in my life. My best to you, Dixie. I wish you all happiness and success in your endeavors.
This goes perfectly with how successful people think in life. Make lists, better yourself, learn something new, and plan. Great video! Can't wait for your CDT thru
Thanks, Dixie! You're right, the same things that keep you going on the trail will also keep you going in life! It's always a joy to see you and hear how you are doing. Have a Blessed Christmas with your family & friends!
Just popped in the comments to say that you are inspiring, fun to watch and an excellent source of information. I, like so many others, saw the movie Wild at my ex husbands request and it just clicked. I had been searching for something to do for so long and I finally found it! Shortly after I started searching RU-vid and I found you! Yay! You've really helped solidify this exciting and nerve-wracking decision and I bet ya didn't even know it haha I originally planned to do the PCT April of 2018, but since then I have really slumped into some terrible financial times and I'm currently trying to climb out of a mountain of debt that I accumulated trying to keep my head above water. But through all of that, watching your channel has really helped keep my eyes on the prize. So I wanted to say thank you so much for all that you do! Best of wishes and good luck on the CDT, Dixie! -Bryer
I loved this episode Dixie. I have been watching your channel since the AT and I have been inspired by you and a couple of others to get into hiking. I just did some day hiking in Tennessee over thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
This was a great video. I am always preaching about the power of positive mental attitude. And as you said about gear, I have some gear that is expensive and some that is not, but all items have worked well for me. You can't shop your way to the end of any trail. Also, I saw UL people who were naysayers against heavier backpackers on the PCT. Well, the heavy backpackers went farther, some even finishing, than their lightweight counterparts. Some comfort goes a long way in enjoying the trail.
I got plugged into most of those during my cross country bike ride in 2016. I sure wish I had gotten the one about making lists if what to do when you get home after the trip is finished. Might have saved me a year of depressed non-activity! Now I'm building a small sailboat. Mighta done that sooner if I'd had a list.
Thanks for the inspiration, Dix!!! I am one of the ones who physically can't thru-hike (Cystic Fibrosis). So I am limited to day hikes and short ones at that. Keep up the great work and can't wait to see ya on the CDT!!!
Thank you Dixie! I'm hiking the AT in March, and I've been getting more and more nervous because it's starting to feel real. This helped me out to kinda take a breather and relax about it. I'm beyond excited to start my own grand adventure! Keep up the great videos they really help! 😃
You should travel the country sharing what you know about the trails & information about planning a thru-hike etc. even though I am not a hiker, maybe someday I will be & I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your videos. You’re such a genuine, down to earth relatable person & that makes me love you & your videos even more! 😊
Great video Dixie! I especially liked the part about being positive and motivating others. It’s hard to stay miserable when you’re helping a friend :) I really appreciate how you manage to keep it real and honest but also stay positive - it’s one of the reasons I love your channel so much! 🖤
Great video. I attempted a section hike in October, on the PCT. My gear was stolen in San Diego's gaslamp district. Regrouping for an early Spring hike. Got a new service dog, and replacement gear. Your experiences have been inspirational. Thank you!
Awesome video, Thanks! I like the part about the gear. I met a guy on the Colorado Trail named Tex-Mart. All his gear was from Wal-Mart and he carried two big wooden sticks instead of trekking poles. What a beast!
Regarding the " Bad days make good stories." I remember hearing or reading the following comment : " An adventure is a story of someone's difficulty heard in the comfort of your living room."
I've watched all of your video's. (The PCT ones at least. ) This one is excellent! I bet I end up watching this a dozen times before I finally hit the PCT myself in a little over 3 years. Your positive attitude is refreshing. In a world filled with bullies and trolls, we need more people like you. Thanks for sharing your insight.
OUTSTANDING! I hope you don't mind if I show this to my class. I teach vintage trailer restoral classes on line and one of those will take anywhere from 6 months to 5 years depending on a lot of things. Every time you said the word "hike" I just replace it with "trailer project" and it works. You know, going in after your AT thru-hike I wasn't real sure about how successful you would be with the PCT. But when you decided to tackle the Sierra snow and run off this year I knew right then and there that come hell or high water you would succeed.
You are already a motivational speaker!!! You have two key talents required, confidence, and wisdom. Plus you have many other talents, these are only two that come to mind. Just find a good agent, and keep on telling your stories!
Beautifully done again! Tips for the trail, but more importantly a powerful message for journeying through life...Thank you, Jessica...Bless you and your hypothetical children! ;-) (BTW, we live #13) --Granger 2020
Great video, Dixie. You have obtained wisdom from your hiking experiences that will serve you well the rest of your life. Thank you for making the effort to define your motivational tools. I intend to write them down. One of the things we do in scouts during a hike is at the end of the day we do "Thorns, Roses, and Buds". Each person has to share their thorns, roses and buds of the day. Thorns are things that got you down or anything that was negative, roses are the positive things that occurred during the day, and buds are your hopes for tomorrow. And you can't share thorns unless you have at least one rose and one bud to share.
It is so crazy to hear you say "The Sierra Nevada was not fun!". I love the Sierras, they are my personal paradise and I can't get enough of them. It is almost unbelievable for me how someone could have not enjoyed being there for such a long time. :D
If you would watch her videos of that area you will understand why she said that. Due to all the snow and high water this year if was an extremely difficult and treacherous section to get through. A lot of this year's PCT hikers skipped that part. Dixie forged on. I think, last count, that 6 people lost their lives forging the high melt water raging rivers in the Sierra Nevada this past summer.
I did watch all the videos and I understand why she says it. I was just saying that it is still crazy for me to hear someone say that because the Sierras are my personal paradise.
Really resting on zero day, who da thought. Great stuff Dixie. You are so positive. Also love your singing the Disney stuff as you move thru your days😘❤️
Great tips! My friend recently told me exactly what you said, when you get discouraged, think of how it will feel to reach Mt. Katahdin. I've been training for the AT in 2019 and when I get tired at work working overtime I just tell myself, "you're going to get tired walking all day too. This is just training for the AT". Thanks for making this video Dixie!
While I agree with your last item (15), when feedback to others at times may be considered as negative, there are times when we can all learn from a negative experience. If we don't learn from the negative experiences then we will likely repeat them again, until the situation becomes much worse and this especially applies to safety related matters.
Great video, Dixie! I remember seeing the first video clip you did starting at Amicalola falls SP. You have been real inspiration to me an others, and I plan on starting in Feb 2018 from the same spot. I don't know how far I'll get or what might distract me from the trail, but maybe I can re-run all those videos in my head while I am hiking. I think staying motivated is the biggest factor and you've covered a lot of ways to stay on the trail, looking towards the end. I know we all have our own personal reasons for being on the trail. I learned everyone has a story, and I'm no different. I hope you are closer to fulfilling your desires for your life -- even though you've already been where I'm going, it's still going to be a challenge for me as I hike my own hike.
Grandma Gatewood used a shower curtain as a shelter, and carried only 12lbs of gear! She didn't even have a drinking container until she found a tin cup at a spring. Let's not forget that she got lost the first time she tried... It's definitely more what's inside. Good video Dixie..:)
Ha ha I wish.... Google her, there are books written about her. I think her first attempt to hike the AT was when she was 67?? I won't spoil the rest for you. Check it out...:)
#7 is so true and so helpful. My trail family ended up creating a nightly check-in we called GLASSY. It stood for Gratitude, Longing, Anything that made you laugh that day (we needed a vowel lol), Someone you miss, a Story about that person, and a Yell (you just had to yell something). It brought us closer together, made us laugh, and reminded me why I was out there on our toughest days.
It's so true what you said about bad days! It suck to suffer through them but they always make for good stories - I love telling people the wild things I've lived through and their jaws just drop XD As well as the growth thing - if you're not uncomfortable, you don't grow as a person! Part of the great thing about the outdoors is feeling like you can take on anything. I bet you're feeling confidant about the CDT after all the shenanigans on the PCT!
