One Step at a Time!

 Drinking, smoking and unhealthy eating, it was a part of my life for a long time. That lifestyle had me overweight, feeling unhappy, depressed and wanting something better. I remember looking over at my young son and I knew I had to make a change. I was going to be the best possible example for my son I could be. So change I did. I quit anything and everything that wasn't a positive in my life. I became a vegan over night, started working out and walking. Within 90 days of clean eating and good health habits I lost 50lbs and was walking near 20 miles a day. I was seeing an amazing transformation in myself and now I was ready to chase a life long dream. A walk across America... And not just some leisurely stroll but a quest to walk from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in 100 days or less. I took my momentum and turned my training all the way up... By April of 2019 a month before I set out on my coast to coast journey I was walking 40 miles a day with a 40lbs vest. I was told I was crazy, it was not possible, that I'd die in the desert. I didn't care what they said... I set out from Newport Beach, CA March 1st and I walked. I faced many obstacles along the way. Many I didn't expect but I kept going. I was faced with death almost daily. Scorching heat, thunderstorms, rattle snakes, coyotes, a bull, dehydration, starvation, CARS, and even a man armed with an AR-15. I kept going and 5.3 million steps later I had the greatest feeling ever jumping in the Atlantic Ocean with my son who was waiting there for me. I'll never forget when he finally saw me and started running towards me on the beach. I gave him the biggest hug with tears and a smile and we jumped in the Ocean together. Not only did I make it the 2,841 miles but I crushed my original 100 day goal in 79 days. That's an average of 36 miles a day across 9 states, crossing the desert, the Rocky Mts and the Appalachian Mts. 

-Jax