Please contact Wendy at wendy.thruhiker@gmail.com for inquires and bookings

Stepping into the Unknown:
Discoveries from 6,00 Miles of Long Distance Backpacking and How They can be Applied to Your Life

Why would a person leave all the comforts of society behind to follow a 2 foot wide dirt path across the country for months at a time? What happens when you step away from your illusions of security and open yourself to the unknown and all of the experiences that unfold along a backpacking trip spanning thousands of miles?

In this presentation, Wendy Johnston shares some of the lessons that became clear to her during her 6,000 miles of backpacking across the country (on the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Colorado Trails)- lessons that can be applied universally to anyone or any situation in life.

Long distance backpacking is as much an internal journey as it is an external, physical journey.
In sharing what drew her to such journeys, some of the obstacles that she overcame to accomplish her goals, how her experiences transformed her life, and how the lessons she learned along the way can apply to your own life, she hopes to inspire you to take action toward your own dreams.

Do you have a desire, or dream that has been sitting in your heart but feels out of reach? What fears are holding you back? How can you overcome the obstacles that appear to be in your way? How can you explore the unknown within yourself without ever taking a physical step?

Wendy is here to remind you to remain true to yourself and your own path in life, that every challenge can be turned into an opportunity, and that you possess a well of potential that can be tapped into at any time.

In her powerful, moving presentation, she pairs inspiration with pieces of her personal story, along with the principles it takes to achieve any desired dream. Wendy’s talk focuses on her motivations for hiking long trails, the adversity she has overcome (both in life and on the trail), and the universal lessons she has learned along the way. While her talk is centered around the context of backpacking long distance trails, the theme is more about self-transformation, healing from adversity, and living a more authentic life.

 

Other Speaking Topics:

-How to Achieve Freedom from Suffering: It’s all in the Mind!
All suffering stems from what we are thinking and believing. In this presentation, I share simple techniques on how to end your suffering, achieve mental freedom, and reclaim peace and empowerment. It’s not about the events that happen to you, but your interpretation of them. If you can change your thoughts about a situation, you can change your life!

Offerings

30 minute Inspirational and Motivational Talk (with additional time for Questions and Answers)

20-30 minute Inspirational Talk with 35 minute slideshow (with additional time for Questions and Answers)

Half Day Seminars:
In combination with my presentation, I offer workshops in which participants learn practices to help them learn how to create more internal peace, self awareness, and self mastery. Practices including self-inquiry work, breath work, awareness practice, and scripting

Testimonials

“Your Inspiring Story and Presentation…
I attended your Sawyer Library (Gloucester) presentation and was thrilled to “experience” your powerful verbal presentation, photo and musical slide show.
As a retired higher education educator I’ve seen many presentations and yours ranks in the top 5%. Congratulations!
Your message of struggle, aspiration, challenge, commitment and redemption resonated with me (and many other attendees.)”
-Dr Daniel Duffy, Former Vice-President of Student Affairs, Ocean County College

“Thank you for a very engaging, thought-provoking and beautiful presentation. To say that the audience was engaged, would be an understatement. They did not want to let you go!
You are amazing, and should pat yourself on the back for your courage in overcoming overwhelming odds both on the trail and off.”
– Michelle LeMonde-McIntyre
Supervisor of Community & Outreach Services
Framingham, MA Public Library

“Very interesting and unique! Wendy is a smart, diligent, passionate and earnest person who has put together a compelling presentation on her experience of being a long distance hiker and the inward and outward journeys therein. Her talk is simultaneously informational, inspirational, vulnerable and strong.”
– Checka Antifonario

“Wendy’s talk was moving, inspirational, and fascinating. The stories she shared of her motivation to hike, her dedication despite illness and other obstacles, and her love for nature all made the evening one people are still talking about. The photos of her trek are beautiful. We’ve received so many compliments from our public about this event. For any community with hikers, nature lovers, or photographers, Wendy is a must-have.”
-Meagan Parker
Programming and Community Outreach Librarian
Cary Memorial Library
Lexington, MA

“I was VERY inspired by your talk today in Townsend MA. You dropped many gems I wished I’d written down :-), so I will need to find out when you are speaking next nearby.  I had so many questions I wanted to ask!”

-Sue Edwards

“Your story is inspiring, compelling, and intensely engaging.”
-Bruce R. Mendelsohn
Trustee, Auburn, MA Public Library

“Thanks again for a great program. It was one of the most well received programs I have had. I feel like a lot of people left awestruck by your story and by your beautiful photos.”
-Kelsey Matthews
Athol, MA Public Library

“I want to thank you again for your truly wonderful program. It was so well
constructed and carefully thought out. I don’t think enough can be said
of the strength, courage, and emotional fortitude your journeys and
choices demonstrate.”
-Robin Flynn
Head of Communications
Beverly Public Library
Beverly, MA

“Your talk is a much needed resource and inspiration for others that are searching for self fulfillment.”
-Armida Geiger
Adult Program Event Coordinator
Durham Public Library
Durham, NH