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Pushing North: Tame the Mind, Savor the Journey
Main ThemeOur minds are conditioned to create chaos. They often convince us to quit long before we reach our goals. Unless we can gain awareness and interrupt these "chaos" scripts early, they will consume our thoughts and drive us towards decisions we will regret. This book will give you the ability to open your awareness, apply several tools to calm the chaos, and increase the momentum towards your goals. Regardless if you are a long-distance hiker, SOF operator, extreme athlete, first responder, medical specialist, parent, student, or just a human being, this book will enable you to tame your mind so you can savor whatever journey you find yourself on.
BackgroundPeople love the thought of breaking the shackles of their Matrix life and going for a long-distance hike. I do too. There is something primal about strapping on a pack filled with only the necessities and going on a long walk. I think it’s coded somewhere deep inside our DNA. Hiking seems to be a perfect means to create a union between the natural world and the human soul. We were meant to be in nature, not confined to the safety and comfort of our Matrix lives. If we can become still enough, we can hear the whispers of the mountains calling us home.I became addicted to thru-hiking because it uncovered parts of me I didn’t know existed. It took me to deeper levels of awareness and fulfillment that seemed inaccessible before the experience. However, like all good things in life, this growth was only accessible through suffering and sacrifice. To absorb the true lessons in life, we must confront the main impediment standing in our way—our chaotic minds.Stats show that roughly three out of every four thru-hikers quit their journeys short of their intended goal, and I argue it is because they couldn’t handle their chaotic minds in this new environment. This is a statistic I want to help change.Our minds tether us to the parts of life that no longer serve us. It limits our growth and our ability to find contentment in our lives. When we are alone with our minds for hours, days, weeks, and months on trail, we fall prey to its conditioned patterns nudging us to seek safety and comfort. At the first sign of pain and struggle, our mind tries to convince us to return to our comfortable life inside the Matrix. It tries to keep us safe at the expense of our growth and fulfillment.We MUST learn how to strengthen our minds so we can adapt more quickly and efficiently once our long-distance journey begins. That’s where this book comes in. It’s complementary to previous works on the mental side of long-distance hiking, but we will dive a little deeper underneath the hood to reveal why our mental struggle happens in the first place. If we can gain awareness of why these struggles happen, then we can learn to use some basic strategies to decrease the mental chaos and increase our forward momentum.This book is not just for hikers. It’s for anyone undertaking a long-duration journey where the mind will inject itself as the biggest obstacle in our path. It could be during a military deployment, during an ultramarathon, attending a sports training camp, enduring an assessment and selection course for special operations, entering a police or military training academy, grappling with a large project at work, enduring the challenges of parenthood, or any other journey where our minds become the largest hurdle on the way to our goals.It's time to break free of the fetters that keep you clinging to safety and comfort. It’s time to find the part of you that is waiting to be discovered. It’s time to learn how to keep pushing north towards the things you dream about but haven’t been able to reach.
BackgroundPeople love the thought of breaking the shackles of their Matrix life and going for a long-distance hike. I do too. There is something primal about strapping on a pack filled with only the necessities and going on a long walk. I think it’s coded somewhere deep inside our DNA. Hiking seems to be a perfect means to create a union between the natural world and the human soul. We were meant to be in nature, not confined to the safety and comfort of our Matrix lives. If we can become still enough, we can hear the whispers of the mountains calling us home.I became addicted to thru-hiking because it uncovered parts of me I didn’t know existed. It took me to deeper levels of awareness and fulfillment that seemed inaccessible before the experience. However, like all good things in life, this growth was only accessible through suffering and sacrifice. To absorb the true lessons in life, we must confront the main impediment standing in our way—our chaotic minds.Stats show that roughly three out of every four thru-hikers quit their journeys short of their intended goal, and I argue it is because they couldn’t handle their chaotic minds in this new environment. This is a statistic I want to help change.Our minds tether us to the parts of life that no longer serve us. It limits our growth and our ability to find contentment in our lives. When we are alone with our minds for hours, days, weeks, and months on trail, we fall prey to its conditioned patterns nudging us to seek safety and comfort. At the first sign of pain and struggle, our mind tries to convince us to return to our comfortable life inside the Matrix. It tries to keep us safe at the expense of our growth and fulfillment.We MUST learn how to strengthen our minds so we can adapt more quickly and efficiently once our long-distance journey begins. That’s where this book comes in. It’s complementary to previous works on the mental side of long-distance hiking, but we will dive a little deeper underneath the hood to reveal why our mental struggle happens in the first place. If we can gain awareness of why these struggles happen, then we can learn to use some basic strategies to decrease the mental chaos and increase our forward momentum.This book is not just for hikers. It’s for anyone undertaking a long-duration journey where the mind will inject itself as the biggest obstacle in our path. It could be during a military deployment, during an ultramarathon, attending a sports training camp, enduring an assessment and selection course for special operations, entering a police or military training academy, grappling with a large project at work, enduring the challenges of parenthood, or any other journey where our minds become the largest hurdle on the way to our goals.It's time to break free of the fetters that keep you clinging to safety and comfort. It’s time to find the part of you that is waiting to be discovered. It’s time to learn how to keep pushing north towards the things you dream about but haven’t been able to reach.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2021
25 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 15, 2023
"Pushing North: Tame the Mind, Savor the Journey" by Trey Free is not just a book; it's a companion for any soul embarking on a journey of self-discovery and physical challenge. As someone who has experienced the raw beauty and daunting challenges of the Appalachian Trail, I found Trey Free's insights incredibly resonant and uplifting.
Free's narrative intertwines practical hiking advice with profound life lessons. His words felt like a guiding light during my Appalachian hike, especially when the trail seemed endless, and my spirits were low. The book emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, a lesson that was crucial for me when facing the unpredictable elements and the solitude inherent in such an endeavor.
What's particularly remarkable is how Free's lessons are universal yet deeply personal. His advice on pacing oneself, appreciating the small victories, and staying present were not just strategies for hiking but for life itself. These insights were not only invaluable in my past hike but are now pillars in my preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail. I am more aware of my physical and mental limits and how to gently push them, thanks to Free's wisdom.
"Pushing North" also delves into the spiritual connection one develops with nature. Free's vivid descriptions of landscapes and his introspective thoughts resonated deeply with me, recalling the profound tranquility and connection I felt on the Appalachian Trail.
In conclusion, whether you're an experienced hiker or someone who seeks to understand the deeper journey of life, "Pushing North" is a must-read. It's more than a guide; it's a meditation on the beauty of nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the transformative power of a journey well-traveled. Trey Free's book didn't just help me survive the Appalachian Trail; it equipped me with a mindset to thrive on any path I choose, especially as I prepare for the Pacific Crest Trail.
Free's narrative intertwines practical hiking advice with profound life lessons. His words felt like a guiding light during my Appalachian hike, especially when the trail seemed endless, and my spirits were low. The book emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, a lesson that was crucial for me when facing the unpredictable elements and the solitude inherent in such an endeavor.
What's particularly remarkable is how Free's lessons are universal yet deeply personal. His advice on pacing oneself, appreciating the small victories, and staying present were not just strategies for hiking but for life itself. These insights were not only invaluable in my past hike but are now pillars in my preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail. I am more aware of my physical and mental limits and how to gently push them, thanks to Free's wisdom.
"Pushing North" also delves into the spiritual connection one develops with nature. Free's vivid descriptions of landscapes and his introspective thoughts resonated deeply with me, recalling the profound tranquility and connection I felt on the Appalachian Trail.
In conclusion, whether you're an experienced hiker or someone who seeks to understand the deeper journey of life, "Pushing North" is a must-read. It's more than a guide; it's a meditation on the beauty of nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the transformative power of a journey well-traveled. Trey Free's book didn't just help me survive the Appalachian Trail; it equipped me with a mindset to thrive on any path I choose, especially as I prepare for the Pacific Crest Trail.
December 14, 2022
I've partially segment-hiked the Colorado Trail this past year but have never done a full thru-hike even though it has always been a dream of mine. I stumbled upon Trey's video blog of his thru-hike of this trail in September 2022. I'm similar age and have also struggled with the matrix mindset while out on the trail and being more focused on the destination rather than the journey. I really loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone that wants to be more present and in the moment. Love the tools given to help manage the daily struggle with the mind while trying to achieve your goals, whatever those may be. Highly recommend.
September 7, 2021
This is a great book on how the mind is a much greater obstacle on completing a long-distance hike than the physical aspect. Hiking 2,200 miles will break down your body but if your head is in a negative space you are doomed to fail. Free takes us on a journey and gives lessons on how to keep the mental fortitude to complete not only a big hike but any other big event. Get the mind in a positive space and you can do anything.
September 8, 2021
Trey focuses this book on encouraging the 75% of hikers who start an Appalachian Trail through hike, and eventually quit. He has practical insights that he’s personally vetted. Tips and tricks to get the mindset dialed in for accomplishing the tall task of hiking all 2200 miles without quitting. His personal hobby of hiking with his prior military experience make him a competent and down to earth expert on this subject.
January 23, 2022
Another stellar book by Trey Free
I had just finished Trey's first book about the Ego when I discovered this book. At first I was concerned that it was going to be more about hiking and I have no intention to hike. But the life lessons in this book can be applied to any area of your life, not just on the trail. Highly recommend.
I had just finished Trey's first book about the Ego when I discovered this book. At first I was concerned that it was going to be more about hiking and I have no intention to hike. But the life lessons in this book can be applied to any area of your life, not just on the trail. Highly recommend.
March 2, 2022
A great read!
I picked this book because I am a hiker and I followed the author on YouTube. I had read his previous book, and thought this looked like another good read. He pushed me to think about my own issues. There are lots of good lessons I can use in this book.
I picked this book because I am a hiker and I followed the author on YouTube. I had read his previous book, and thought this looked like another good read. He pushed me to think about my own issues. There are lots of good lessons I can use in this book.
March 30, 2022
Enjoyed this one by Free. All about overcoming the obstacle of our mind. If you are into understanding more about the mind, pushing the boundaries, or hiking it’s worth the read.
January 31, 2025
Mental prep for the AT
Great insights and suggestions on how to prepare your mind for a thru hike. Will reread this as I hike to help me stay focused.
Great insights and suggestions on how to prepare your mind for a thru hike. Will reread this as I hike to help me stay focused.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews