Something deep within me connected with hard work, nature and simplicity.

One of the best feelings I had growing up was being completely exhausted at the end of the day after playing outside all day.

Part of the reason I fell in love with the trail is because it was so extremely difficult, more difficult than the marathons and Ironmans I'd competed in. Not just physically but emotionally it was a new challenge, as well. It really helped me to learn and grow in so many ways.

I was surrounded by life and beauty. My soul was content, and my life felt full.

Food is like a torture device because hiking 47 miles a day is hard enough. And then you're trying to get down 6,000 calories a day. Every hour, I needed a snack, every few hours I had to take in a meal and it's just not food, it's fuel. You're not enjoying it - you're seriously shoving it in your mouth and following it with water, juice or Gatorade.

Writing is one of the main ways that I process the experience.

I'd always had an interest of pushing my limits and was intrigued by endurance.