Join My Journey: Welcome to My Personal Purgatory (Now With a 100 km Hike!)

This is my starting point. My personal purgatory. My “Oh crap, I really need to do something about this” moment. And you know what? I’m finally doing something about it. Not because I’m trying to become the next fitness influencer (spoiler alert: I’m not), but because I want to feel better, move better, and maybe—just maybe—survive the absolutely insane goal I’ve set for myself: a 100 km hike.

Now, here’s where you come in.

"Because every uphill battle is easier with someone by your side. Whether you're here to hike, laugh, or just watch me try not to roll back down, let's tackle these hills together."

Why You Should Join Me (Even If It’s Just for the Laughs)

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not a personal trainer. I’m not a doctor. I’m not even one of those annoyingly fit people who post shirtless selfies with captions like, “No excuses!” I’m just a regular guy who’s decided he’s tired of feeling like a human beanbag chair.

If you’re in the same boat—or maybe even just paddling nearby—then why not join me? This isn’t about following some rigid plan or turning your life upside down. It’s about taking small steps, making progress (however slow it might be), and laughing at the inevitable awkwardness along the way.

Now, I’m not saying you have to do a 100 km hike with me (though if you want to, I’ll gladly share my blister tape). But maybe you have your own “big, crazy goal.” Maybe it’s running a 5k, climbing a mountain, or just being able to touch your toes without groaning. Whatever it is, let’s tackle it together.

And if you’re not ready to jump in yet? That’s cool, too. Stick around and watch me flail my way through this journey. I promise there will be plenty of laughs, a few faceplants (probably literal ones), and maybe even some inspiration.

Make Your Own Goals (Or Steal Mine, I Don’t Mind)

Here’s the beauty of this whole thing: you don’t have to do exactly what I’m doing. In fact, I’d encourage you to set your own goals. Maybe you want to lose weight. Maybe you want to gain muscle. Maybe you just want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without needing a nap afterward (trust me, I get it).

But if you’re not sure where to start, feel free to borrow my goals:

1. Move More: Whether it’s walking, stretching, or attempting to do a push-up without dislocating something, the goal is to get off the couch and move.

2. Train for the 100 km Hike: Even if you’re not joining me for the full 100 km, training for a big goal is a great way to stay motivated. Plus, it gives you an excuse to buy cool hiking gear.

3. Eat Better: I’m not talking about going full kale-and-quinoa here. Just fewer late-night pizzas and more veggies that aren’t deep-fried.

4. Build Strength: I’d like to find the muscles I lost somewhere around 2013. If you see them, let me know.

5. Feel Better: This one’s a little vague, but it’s important. I want more energy, less stiffness, and fewer moments of wondering why my back hurts after sitting for 10 minutes.

   
   

Tracking Progress: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I’ll be honest: I’m trying to track everything as well as I can, but I’m not perfect. There will be days when I forget to log my meals, skip a workout, or accidentally eat an entire bag of chips because they were right there.

But that’s okay. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And if you’re joining me, I encourage you to track your own progress in whatever way works for you. Use a journal, an app, a spreadsheet, or just your brain. Or don’t track at all if it stresses you out. This is your journey, and you get to decide how to approach it.

Just remember: I’m not a professional. I’m not here to tell you what to do or how to do it. I’m just sharing my experience, my struggles, and my (hopefully) eventual triumphs. Take what works for you and leave the rest.

For Those Still in Denial or Thinking About It

Look, I get it. If you’re still in the denial phase, thinking, “I should probably do something about this... but maybe tomorrow,” then I’ve been there. Heck, I practically built a summer home in that phase.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to commit to anything right now. You don’t have to dive in headfirst or make any drastic changes. Just hang out here for a while. Watch me stumble through this process. Laugh at my attempts to do squats without falling over. And maybe, when you’re ready, you’ll decide to join in.

Because let’s be real: this isn’t going to be a smooth, graceful journey. It’s going to be messy, awkward, and probably a little embarrassing at times. But it’s also going to be real. And if nothing else, you’ll get some entertainment out of it.

What You Can Expect From Me

If you decide to join me on this journey, here’s what you can expect:

• Honesty: I’m not sugarcoating anything. If I fail, you’ll know about it. If I succeed, you’ll know about that, too.

• Humor: Because if we can’t laugh at ourselves, what’s the point?

• Progress (Eventually): It might be slow, but it’ll happen. And if I can do it, so can you.

What you won’t get from me:

• Professional Advice: I’m not a trainer or a doctor. I’m just a guy trying to get his act together.

• Judgment: This is a no-judgment zone. Whether you’re crushing it or struggling, you’re welcome here.

  
  

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about perfection. It’s not about becoming the fittest person in the room or impressing anyone with your biceps. It’s about taking that first step—whether it’s a baby step, a giant leap, or a wobbly stumble.

So, if you’re ready to join me, great. Let’s do this together. And if you’re not ready yet, that’s okay, too. Stick around, laugh at my attempts to touch my toes, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a little inspiration along the way.