Shows / Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trail magic and injury.
Episodes
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #531 - Crystal Crowder and William Nelson (Mosey and Sourpatch)
We have a husband and wife hiking duo on the show today. Mosey and Sourpatch hiked the Appalachian Trail last year, needing to get it done before Sourpatch's…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #530 - Tim Bennett (Porkie)
Tim Bennett, or Porkie, is today's guest. Tim had an epic adventure on the Long Trail in Vermont, sharing with us the family connection he has to the trail. It…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #529 - Michael Neiman (Sharkbait)
Michael Neiman, who, along with Bruce Matson, brought us Platinum Blazing to the trail, is our guest this week. Michael thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #528 - Rob Diamond (Dog Tag)
We welcome Rob Diamond to the show today. I met Rob in 2024 in Hot Springs, when we went and tried to help out after Hurricane Helene. Rob told me then that he…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #527 - Savannah Schuring (Snazzy Cat)
Savannah Schuring, or Snazzy Cat, took on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike–which she completed in a remarkable three months–as her graduate thesis. On the way…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #526 - Erin Tuveson (Bookie) from Rambling Roots Hostel
Today, we meet an AT thru-hiker from the Class of 2015 who went on to buy and run a hostel near the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Erin Tuveson, or Bookie, became…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #525 - Tony Roddy (Silverback)
This week, Tony Roddy joins the podcast. Tony walked across America in 2015, vowing to do one of the long-distance American trails ten years later. His…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #524 - Todd Sears (Nor'Easter)
We meet a member of the Class of 2012 this week, who happens also to be a member of this years class of 2026. In fact, Todd Sears is starting the day after I…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #523 - Michelle Michaud (Fyrfly)
Michelle Michaud is our guest today. She has completed the Appalachian Trail three times, having been on trail every year since the late 90s. Her love for the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #522 - Dr Rob Scanlon
We welcome Dr Rob Scanlon to the podcast today to talk about five essential skills that hikers need to learn to avoid becoming a depressing statistic on trail…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #521 - James Kinch (Firewalker)
The self-deprecating James Kinch is on the show today, claiming the title of the "Fattest Known Time" on the Appalachian Trail, having twice thru-hiked the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #520 - Ellen Langford (Adventurine)
Ellen Langford, or Adventurine, joins us today. Ellen is a professional artist who had dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail for several years before 2025…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #519 - Jesse Cody & Mike Rose (Hike the Good Hike)
We meet Jesse Cody and Mike Rose today, and hear about their non-profit, Hike the Good Hike, an organization committed to enhance mental wellness through…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #518 - Emily Manzon (Tic Tac)
Emily Manzon, or Tic Tac, is our guest this week. Emily was looking for an epic way to celebrate her 40th birthday this year, so the Appalachian Trail…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)
Tom Margaria, a retired FDNY firefighter, set out on January 1st from Key West to hike the 5700 mile Eastern Continental Trail. On the way, Tom met up with–and…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #516 - Galloway Johnson (Clementine)
We meet a young New Hampshire guy today who had never hiked in New Hampshire prior to his Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. Galloway Johnson had dreamed…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #515 - Jennifer Cole (Indy 5)
This is indeed the season for hearing from successful thru-hikers, and we have another one joining us today. Jennifer Cole, or Indy 5, was looking for a great…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #514 - Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy (Blue Pére, Bad Camel, and Popeye)
We've got a family of three on the show today, with Mike, Molli, and Kayla McCarthy sharing their own hiking story. I met Molli and Kayla on my 2014 thru-hike…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
Lisa Laidlow came to the trail when she became an empty-nester. She had always been an outdoor girl–often along with her father–yet it was only fairly recently…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #512 - James Dalberto (Nomad)
James Dalberto, or Nomad, joins the podcast today. James has been an RV'er for the past few years, earning a living as a "starving artist" (his words) all over…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #511 - The ALDHA Gathering - October 2025
Very limited notes this month, mainly because I'm away and rushing to get this out on Wednesday evening!! It was an honor to be chosen to present the Saturday…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #510 - Ken Posner (Barefoot Ken)
We meet an unusual hiker this week. Ken Posner has been a long-distance runner and hiker over the years, yet he has gradually morphed into a barefoot runner…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #509 - Chrissy and Ady Schubert
Chrissy Schubert and her daughter Ady will be attempting a 250-mile section of the Appalachian Trail next year. No big deal, you may think. Think again. Ady is…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #508 - Woods Hole Weekend 2025
This week, we have a little change of pace. I attended the Woods Hole weekend last week as a presenter, and I came away with friendships, more knowledge, and a…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #507 - Glenn Sweitzer (Wanderer)
Glenn Sweitzer, designer and filmmaker, is our guest today. Glenn's fascinating back story takes in working with Disney, designing artwork for Tim McGraw and…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #506 - Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez (Peaches)
Sandra Katerina Schmelzer Alvarez, or Peaches, completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike last month. She is a single mother who managed her autistic son's…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #505 - Roxanne Strine (Idiot Runner)
Roxanne Strine completed her Appalachian Trail thru-hike just a few weeks ago, at the sprightly young age of 70. She proved her mettle after her original plans…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #504 - Darrell Eck (Old Stag)
Darrell Eck, or Old Stag, is this week's main guest. Darrell retired as a teacher in 2022 and fulfilled his dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. He had…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #503 - Mike Wetherhold (Push)
Mike Wetherhold, who was in the running to be part of the Mighty Blue Class of 2025, is our guest today. Mike went ahead and started the Appalachian Trail at…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #502 - Mike Innes (Bobcat)
Our guest today is Mike Innes, or Bobcat, who hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2007, just before the explosion of technological marvels that help hikers these…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #501 - Madison Boehm (Rescue)
This interview was four years in the making, with Maddie Boehm our main guest, four years after we first made contact. It was worth the wait, as Maddie talks…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #500 - Jessica Hawkins (Dixie)
Welcome to episode 500 of the Mighty Blue podcast, with Jessica Hawkins, or Dixie, as our main guest. Jessica has been a guest several times before, but in…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #499 - Charlie Rogers (Pilgrim)
Our 499th episode features Charlie Rogers, a fellow member of the AT Class of 2019, and an all-round good guy who gives back to the trail as a trail maintainer…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #498 - Brigid Bell (Purple Haze)
Brigid Bell set out on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail just two years ago, and had the most extraordinary encounter in the Smokies. That she lived to tell…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #497 - Jim & Sarah Klepzig (Rocky Root & Social Cutie)
Our guests today are Jim and Sarah Klepzig, a couple who lost their 22-year-old son, Tristan, in a terrible car accident five years ago. Tristan is on the left…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #496 - Charles Bruce (Tracker)
We meet Charles Bruce, or Tracker, this week. Charles is a member of the Appalachian Trail Class of 2022, and he fulfilled a long-held bucket list item when he…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #495 - Dr Lynne Savino (Older hikers on trail)
Our guest today is an old friend of the show; Dr Lynne Savino. Lynne always has an interesting take on medical issues related to hiking, and this week, she…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #494 - The End and Epilogue on the Camino de Santiago
This is it; the final days on my Camino trip in Spain. We cover the final four days, as well as interviews with Dave, plus Beth and Andrew from the Appalachian…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #493 - Days 29-31 on the Camino de Santiago
Almost there, with the trail now full of people since Sarria. I should be finished this weekend. Also, Dave is well past the 1200 mile mark and feeling the…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #492 - Days 25-28 on the Camino de Santiago
We're closing in on the end and I'm not sure Im ready to be done. We're back into the mountains and views are opening up all around us. Beth and Andrew have…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #491 - Days 22-24 on the Camino de Santiago
I'm back in the rhythm and within a couple of weeks from the end. I'm meeting new people, reacquainting my legs with hills, and eating relentlessly. I love…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #490 - Day 21 and a Road Trip Back
Today rounds off my last hike into Léon before taking a scheduled break to visit my family for a birthday party, followed by a long detour back to the trail…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #489 - Day Twenty and a Road Trip
The first half of my Camino hike is done and I've arrived at Léon for my scheduled break with family (and a soccer match). Dave is near the halfway point on…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #487 - Days Thirteen to Fifteen on the Camino de Santiago
Past the two-week mark and into the Meseta, the journey continues with intimate conversation, communal meals, and changing, yet still beautiful scenery. We…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #488 - Days Sixteen to Nineteen on the Camino de Santiago
The Meseta is about to end and I'm about to head south for a few days for a family party. The break has come at a good time to help my feet recover from a…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #486 - Days Nine to Twelve on the Camino de Santiago
I'm at Burgos on my Camino adventure and about to head into the Meseta; an entirely different landscape from these first two weeks. Let's catch up with days…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #485 - Days Six to Eight on the Camino de Santiago
No notes but an extended catch up with Dave as well as my latest exploits on the Camino
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #484 - Days Two to Five on the Camino de Santiago
No notes due to current circumstances other than to mention that this show covers days 2-5 on my Camino de Santiago in Spain, as well as the latest catch up…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #483 - Day One on the Camino de Santiago
Limited notes due to the Camino hike, but this week, we see me through my first day on trail and catch up with Dave, Beth, and Andrew on the Appalachian Trail.
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #482 - David Lowe (El Flaco)
David Lowe, or El Flaco, is our guest today. I saw a post on Facebook, with David at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail after his FOURTH successful…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #481 - Guinevere Drabik (Lucky)
We have such an interesting guest this week. Guinevere Drabik, or Lucky. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023 and found a community that she had been…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #480 - Anna McKinney Smith (Magic)
Anna McKinney Smith, a 2021 thru-hiker, is our guest today. Anna found her people out on trail and, more significantly, she also found her person, who became…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #479 - Melanie Wood (Aphrodite)
Melanie Wood is our guest this week. She hiked SOBO last year, running into the devastation of Helene with about 700 miles to go, having to prematurely end her…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #478 - Annika Ananias (Ravenclaw)
We have a German hiker on the podcast this week. Annika Ananias recently flew into the US to hike the Arizona Trail with her American boyfriend, when she was…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #477 - Bill Zyckowski (Big Willy Dawg)
This week, we meet Bill Zyckowski, or Big Willy Dawg. Bill is a retired police officer who truly needed a walk in the woods to bring some meaning to his life…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #476 - Nicole Markovich (Droplet)
Nicole Markovich joins us on the podcast to tell us about her 2022 AT thru-hike, the drastic changes to her life that ensued, and the ultimate formation of a…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #475 - Nick Panetta
Nick Panetta is our guest this week. He is an avid section hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and a stickler for detail. He attempted a southbound thru-hike back…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #474 - Shelley Harris (Hopscotch)
I saw a great Facebook post on one of the Appalachian Trail pages recently. Shelley Harris (Hopscotch) wrote her reflections after her thru-hike, offering…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #473 - JC Van Etten (Catmando) Triple Crowner
JC Van Etten, or Catmando returns to the show. We first met him on the Appalachian Trail a few years ago, I seem to have missed him on the PCT, but caught up…
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life CrisisEpisode #472 - David Alan Lane (Squarepeg)
We meet David Alan Lane, aka Squarepeg, today. David has been sharing his trail experience extensively over the past few years on Facebook. He helps with all…