HIKE TO BECOME®
challenge & TRAIL GUIDE
H
Hike or Walk
Hiking is actually just walking in nature. Movement matters because it creates bilateral stimulation that gets your mind communicating.
I
In Nature
Find a place to hike or walk where you can see more natural elements like blue sky, green grass, brown hills, or ocean waves than buildings and concrete.
K
Keep Tech off
Even your damn smartwatch notifications. Tech will distract you from the process and all of the benefits you can exponentially gain by doing it. Take it with you for safety. Just leave it off, on do not disturb or on silent.
E
Everyday
Practice this every day for at least 30 minutes, for 31 days straight. If you forget a day, don’t give up. Just get back to the trail the next day. This is all about intention, not perfection.
Frequently asked
Can I hike with a friend?
There is nothing quite like sharing the outdoors with someone special in your life, and we encourage you to use nature to foster relationships. If bringing a friend along will make it more likely for you to follow through with the challenge we urge you to take that step. HOWEVER… in my experience, when you have another person on the trail, the effects just aren’t as drastic as hiking alone.
Some trails are better alone
Can I listen to a podcast or music?
Have you ever been standing in the shower letting your mind wander, and suddenly a brilliant idea pops into your head. This is your brain having the ability to finally relax and fostering the connections your mind wants to make. By using a device to stimulate your brain you are hijacking your attention and your brain will be unable to take advantage of the ideal circumstances for creative thought, stifling your WILD ideas.
K - Keep it off
Can I walk in my neighborhood?
While it would definitely be more ideal for you to be in a forest, on a foothill, or in a mountain, studies show that your brain operates better in as much nature as possible. But…the blue sky, the green trees, bushes, and grass, brown trails, bark, and plants all count. If your neighborhood has a more scenic walkway nearby that would be more advantageous, but just getting outside and creating that bilateral stimulation, in movement, is better than sitting at your desk!
Absolutely.
What happens if I miss a day?
Everyone ventures off the trail now and again, what’s important is getting back on it. Just because you miss a day doesn’t mean you lost, it just means you have been given another opportunity to show yourself that you have control over your life. Don’t let the shame of defeat one day stop you from achieving triumphant success the next. This may be a 31 day challenge, but the challenge is deciding each day, that past failures will not stop your future success.
There is always tomorrow
What about bad weather or the dark?
Check the forecast and daylight (sunrise & sunset times) before you head out. Rain and snow can be beautiful to hike in, but unsafe weather conditions like ice, lightning and extreme heat and cold? Not worth the risk. On those days, choose a safer option: a shorter walk closer to home, a well-lit park, a route you know well or simply skip the day and come back tomorrow. The trail will still be there.
Safety over streaks.
How will I know how many steps I did?
We are obsessed with counting things: steps, miles, elevation, minutes logged. This experience is to shift your mind. Just because you can’t track em, doesn’t mean you didn’t take em. If it’s that important to you, feel free to count in your head, or out loud! The squirrels will be impressed.
You won’t, and that’s ok
Can I HIKE with my Dog?
We love our four-legged friends, but know this: bringing your dog shifts the hike. Instead of opening space for clarity and breakthrough moments, your focus may turn to their pace, their needs, and their distractions to pee on a tree or chase a squirrel. If your dog helps you get outside, bring them along, but if you’re here for the inner work, the trail may call you to walk this one solo.
If that’s what it takes.
What is nature?
Nature is everything untouched by human hands: the forests, rivers, skies, and stones. It’s the original world we return to when we step outside of the noise. Think: green grass, tree lined streets, parks, ocean waves, brown hills, anything that wasn’t made by humans. Out there, nothing is manufactured, nothing is engineered, and you can begin to have your breakthrough ideas.
Anything not made by humans.
How do I remember the WILD ideas I unlock?
Breakthroughs can feel fleeting, like wind through the trees. To capture them, bring a notepad or field guide you can tuck into your pack. Write them down the moment they spark. These ideas are gifts from the trail, and they’re meant to come home with you, so who would you be to deny them?
Bring a trail notebook.
What if I don’t feel safe?
Your safety matters. Keep your phone with you, fully charged and tucked in your pack or pocket, but keep it off, on do not disturb or silent. The trail is a space to step away from alerts and distractions, so you can hear what your mind is really saying. Always tell someone where you are headed (trailhead, park, neighbor’s backyard) and when you expect to be back. And if something feels off, trust your gut and turn around.
Keep your phone close, but nature closer.
What do I do if I see a Moose?
Yes. Stay calm, give the animal space, and talk softly to it (no, really) while slowly backing away. Let it move on its own path. Give it plenty of room and never approach, especially a mother and a calf. Watch for warning signs like ears laid back or raised hackles. If a moose charges, run and get behind something solid like a large tree or boulder. Out in nature, respect is safety. Check out more ‘how to deal with wildlife’ tips on REI’s website.
Give it space.
Does it work if I ride my bike in nature?
It depends on the trail. If all your focus is on navigating rocks and roots, your mind won’t have the space to wander, and that limits breakthroughs. But on an easy path where your body moves with ease, your thoughts can drift freely. That rhythm still creates the bilateral stimulation that unlocks bold ideas.
It Depends.
Can I go with someone else and just not talk?
Ideally this practice is done alone without distractions. If you have to join another human being, try sharing the trail in silence and giving each other space. A little distance helps quiet the pull of another’s presence, so your mind can wander freely. The fewer distractions, the deeper the breakthroughs.
Sort of, on the rare occasion.
I have never hiked before, what should I take with me?
Keep it simple: bring a backpack with water, a snack, a layer for changing weather and a notebook to capture any breakthrough ideas that arrive on the trail. Bring a fully charged communication device like a cell phone or satellite phone but on silent and a map, so you don’t get lost. Depending on where you hike, pack bear spray (and know how to use it) or bug spray (if you’re into that sort of thing) for peace of mind. The essentials are light, just enough to keep you safe, nourished, and open to the experience.
Bear spray is not preventative.
Disclaimer
The Hike to Become® Challenge and this trail guide are for general informational purposes only and are not medical, psychological, or professional advice. Consult your physician before starting any new physical activity. Hiking and walking outdoors involve inherent risks, and by participating you accept responsibility for your own safety, including where, when, and in what conditions you go. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
Nature doesn’t come with a warranty.
