Host Leslie Pagel interviews Nicholas Lawrence about finally thru-hiking the 2,198.4 mile Appalachian Trail in 2023 after dreaming about it since 2012 while building a white-collar compliance career. Nicholas defines a thru-hike, notes that about 4,000 attempt it yearly and roughly 20% finish. Nicholas describes years of delays due to certifications, moves, and growing responsibilities, and how he kept the goal alive through micro-steps, practice hikes, and talking about it. A turning point came when his partner Catherine encouraged him to stop talking and do it, then supported him with resupplies and meetups. He committed in late 2022, started in January, experienced extreme solitude, managed fears and setbacks, and finished, losing about 40 pounds. He discusses evolving “whys,” trail depression, applying lessons to work, and advice to break goals into tangible steps and welcome accountability.

00:00 Welcome to Purpose Project

01:06 What a Thru Hike Means

03:28 Nicholas Makes the Call

04:21 A Decade of Excuses

07:03 Keeping the Dream Alive

07:49 The Catalyst Partner Support

15:27 Accountability on Trail

16:59 Planning Without Overwhelm

20:12 Office Reactions and Regret

22:56 From Decision to Day One

24:31 Cold Weather Doubts and Gear

27:34 Day One at Amicalola

28:27 Alone On Trail

30:31 Planning And Check Ins

31:11 When It Felt Real

34:10 Purpose In Steps

35:36 Hard Days And Whys

38:14 Training For Solitude

39:56 Whys Evolve Over Miles

41:45 Changed Body And Mind

43:55 Trail Depression After

47:15 Finding Your Next Hike

48:57 Advice And Micro Steps

51:29 Closing Reflections

Reach out to Nicholas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nwlawrence/

Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life's purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
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