My name is Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and the founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my backpacking clients, Dermot. At age 54, he successfully completed an incredible 8-day backpacking adventure in the Maroon Bells. In our conversation, we dove into the key challenges he faced during our 16 weeks of hiking training, and Dermot shared some profound insights that seemed beyond his years.
What makes this episode so relatable is Dermot’s journey—he trained in and around his home in Chicago for an intense Colorado hike, with no hiking experience and limited access to trails. His story proves that with the right training, you can prepare for any adventure, no matter where you live. I’m honored to have been a part of his journey, and I’m grateful for his endorsement. Enjoy this authentic and inspiring conversation with Dermot!

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