About Me

For many years, something as seemingly simple as getting out of bed in the morning was a battle.

Poor sleep habits, low motivation, and mental health struggles made even the smallest tasks feel impossible. I was stuck in a cycle that, no matter what I tried, just wasn’t breaking. But then, (literally) small steps started to change everything.

Being a technology professional at my day job, I told myself that enough was enough, and that just like we systematically analyzed and addressed various situations and problems at work; I needed to handle these personal issues in a similar manner.

Some time after that point, I was blessed to see this video in my YouTube feed (after learning more about Goggins, I would come to see that most of this ‘critique,’ in my opinion, is rooted in ignorance). This led me to discover David Goggins and Dr. Andrew Huberman, and a plethora of other practical insights that came along. (This itself deserves one or more dedicated posts. When I write more on this, I will link the post(s) here.)

I ended up learning about circadian rhythms, sunlight exposure, dopamine regulation, and how movement could help reset my mind. I became fascinated by research in these areas, especially the kind of practical, science-backed approaches shared by the likes of Dr. Huberman.

That journey necessarily led me outside. ‘Necessarily’ because, can’t get sunlight indoors ☀️. First for sunlight + short walks, and eventually onto trails. What started as a simple attempt to feel better turned into one of the most transformative habits of my life.

Hiking became a weekly ritual that helped reset my mind, regulate my emotions, and rebuild my days from the ground up. I’ve now hiked at least once a week almost a full year at the time of this writing (missing just one week due to an injury from the previous week’s hike), and it’s become a non-negotiable part of my routine.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that I am now living all ‘happily ever after’ without any struggles. However, compared to years past where I just struggled and struggled, I now have a framework that I can trust to pull me out of funks in a fairly predictable and reliable manner.

This blog is a space to share my journey. I write from lived experience, and also with a deep respect for research and evidence-based practices.

Here on Trails and Truth, you’ll find trail insights, mental health reflections, gear tips, and honest encouragement for anyone who’s looking to reconnect with themselves through the simple, powerful act of just being out in nature.

Whether you’re brand new to hiking or a seasoned trail wanderer, I hope you find something here that reminds you that the trail is always waiting.

The moment you take your first step onto that trail can be the moment where your journey toward truth begins (one step at a time).

Thanks for being here. Let’s walk it out together!

I would be honored if you take some time to browse around the Trails and Truth Blog and share your thoughts on some of my posts.