When the Goal Is Over, but the Feelings Aren’t
24 October 2025

When the Goal Is Over, but the Feelings Aren’t

Free Outside

About

One month after setting the Appalachian Trail self-supported FKT, I’m in a strange place—floating between accomplishment and uncertainty. This episode isn’t about miles or records; it’s about what happens after.


I talk openly about trying to find purpose once the goal is over—navigating sponsorships, self-worth, and the emotional fallout of chasing something so all-consuming. The trail stripped everything away, forcing me to feel emotions raw and real—anger, joy, sadness, pride—and now I’m learning how to carry those lessons into real life.


It’s honest, messy, and probably a little too relatable. If you’ve ever finished something big and thought, now what?, this episode is for you.


Chapters


00:00 Navigating Post-Trail Uncertainty

02:58 Emotional Processing on the Trail

05:51 The Importance of Internal Validation

09:09 Carrying Forward Emotional Lessons

12:02 Finding Direction Amidst Chaos



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