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Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Steve Adams
Appalachian Trail
Trail Magic
Long-Distance Hiking
Hiking
Outdoor Adventure
Camino De Santiago
Mental Health
Nursing
Covid-19
Brain Tumor
Hadrian's Wall Path
Portuguese Camino
Hiking Community
Personal Growth
Pacific Crest Trail
John Muir Trail
Les Francés
Camino Francés
Eastern Continental Trail
Baltimore Jack

An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trai... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes514Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsWilderness

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Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Latest Episodes

We meet a member of the Class of 2012 this week, who happens also to be a member of this years class of 2026. In fact, Todd Sears is starting the day after I start, in March this year.

He had a long career in military intelligence, and brings a mil... more

Michelle Michaud is our guest today. She has completed the Appalachian Trail three times, having been on trail every year since the late 90s.

Her love for the AT is apparent, and she has managed to parlay that love into a business, helping hikers w... more

We welcome Dr Rob Scanlon to the podcast today to talk about five essential skills that hikers need to learn to avoid becoming a depressing statistic on trail.

Rob shares anecdotes and data to illustrate those five skills, and he has presented a bo... more

The self-deprecating James Kinch is on the show today, claiming the title of the "Fattest Known Time" on the Appalachian Trail, having twice thru-hiked the trail, starting at well over 300lbs each time.

James has published his journal of the hike, ... more

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Recent Guests

Todd Sears
Retired intelligence officer and hiker.
Class of 2026, Appalachian Trail
Episode: Episode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
Elizabeth Thompson
Survivor of domestic abuse and breast cancer, preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
Hike The Good Hike
Episode: Episode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
Dr. Rob Scanlon
Board certified physician for over 20 years and author of 'Surviving The Trail: 5 Essential Skills To Prepare Every Hiker For Adventure's Most Common Perils'
Author
Episode: Episode #522 - Dr Rob Scanlon
James Kinch
Author, hiker, holds the Fattest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail
Episode: Episode #521 - James Kinch (Firewalker)
Ellen Langford
A listener to the podcast and aspiring thru-hiker who has a background as an artist.
Self-employed artist
Episode: Episode #520 - Ellen Langford (Adventurine)
Nina Banducci
Works for Polarsteps, a travel tracking app.
Polarsteps
Episode: Episode #520 - Ellen Langford (Adventurine)
Emily Manzon
Known as Tic Tac, Emily is a hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail at age 40.
Episode: Episode #518 - Emily Manzon (Tic Tac)
Tom Margaria
Hiker known as Father Tom, previously retired FDNY firefighter
Episode: Episode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)
Tayson Whittaker
Owner of Outdoor Vitals, a gear company
Outdoor Vitals
Episode: Episode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)

Host

Steve
Host with a background of humor and relatability, sharing his personal experiences on the Appalachian Trail alongside various guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 669 ratings
  • OBO the Show!

    I found this podcast in March of this year at a time when I was dreaming of the great outdoors and wanting to “get away”. This show has transported me to the Appalachian Trail and beyond. I started with the first shows and have worked my way up to #205. But, I also want to know what’s going on currently, so I listen to the new releases as well #477 - #508! Hopefully, my listening flip flop (or OBO as Steve prefers) will meet in the middle before I step on the trail for my own through hike (O... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoppy on the Trail
    United States4 months ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes or less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United States9 months ago
  • First time listening

    Been trying to find a podcast “ P1” and find this show fits the bill.

    The host is way cool. Funny. Respectful. Wry as a sonofagun.

    Up until last year only dreamed of hiking again. Glad I found this podcast as I have been training to hike the CO Trail but the At holds a fond piece of my heart. I live 3 hours from the start of the AT and this podcast has me driving to the trailhead tomorrow and my son is gonna drop me off on Monday. I am gonna give it a go. I am 67. You inspired me today. Thanks... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3 for 10
    United States10 months ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United Statesa year ago
  • Hiking podcast!

    Thank you so much for doing this podcast! I love hiking and plan to do more and longer hikes in my retirement. This is great information to help me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kenhagen
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast resonates even with non-hikers, making it appealing to a broader audience through relatable stories and insights.
Listeners express that the content is both informative and heartwarming, often shedding light on personal journeys of growth and the community aspect of hiking.
The host's engaging style is praised, with many feeling a connection to his storytelling and the guests' experiences.
Some comments suggest a desire for shorter episodes, but overall, feedback highlights the emotional impact and inspiring narratives shared.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
Q: For someone standing on the edge of a major life transition, why might walking into uncertainty be the most practical thing they could do?
It trains you for life by teaching you to observe, adjust, and adapt.
Episode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
Q: What did the trial experience teach you about asking for and accepting support?
Good, honest, and transparent communication with loved ones is key.
Episode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
Q: What got you into the idea of long-distance hiking at first?
It was the Pennine Way in England that sparked my interest in long-distance hiking.
Episode #522 - Dr Rob Scanlon
Q: What is the most dangerous moment in a navigation mistake?
The realization that you're lost can be more dangerous than the moment you get lost, as panic can lead to poor decision-making.
Episode #522 - Dr Rob Scanlon
Q: How did you come to hiking in the first place?
Dr. Scanlon shared that he started hiking when he was younger in Scouts but fell out of practice until he joined a hiking group at his hospital, which reignited his appreciation for the outdoors.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the transformative experiences of long-distance hiking, this podcast covers the journeys of individuals who tackle the iconic Appalachian Trail, often in pursuit of personal growth and connection to the outdoors. With a diverse range of guests, including seasoned hikers and those venturing out for the first time, discussions revolve around the challenges of hiking, the joy of nature, and the deep personal stories that emerge from such adventures. Listeners can expect to hear about various themes, such as community support, mental resilience, family dynamics in hiking, and the intersection of personal struggles and triumphs related to the trail experience.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Backpacker Radio
2. "Jester" Section Hiker
3. Wild Ideas Worth Living
4. Outside Podcast
5. The Dirtbag Diaries

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 514 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Todd Sears
2. Elizabeth Thompson
3. Dr. Rob Scanlon
4. James Kinch
5. Ellen Langford
6. Nina Banducci
7. Emily Manzon
8. Tom Margaria

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