Reclaiming the Trail: My Mission to Heal, Hike, and Help Others

Broken.

Have you ever just felt “broken”? I have. Over the past four years, I have claimed this distinction to help me understand the impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Before you tell me NOT to feel this way, or there is more to life than my diagnosis, let me say this . . . you’re right. There is more to life, and I am more than my diagnosis. However, having not truly understood the significant impacts of all the pieces of the diagnosis over the years, I can now give myself perspective. This, in turn, has helped me heal.

And in so doing, I hope to help others heal as well.   

I live with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Every day, I face the invisible aftermath of trauma: fear, emotional chaos, and the constant battle to feel in control of my own life. For this reason, I label myself “broken”. I do so as both a badge of honor and as a symbol of my resilience.  

But this story isn’t about what’s broken.

It’s about what I’m rebuilding.

Personal Agency

In April 2026, I’ll begin a solo thru-hike of the entire 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail. But this isn’t just about wilderness and walking—it’s a journey of healing, discipline, and reclaiming something trauma tried to steal from me: my personal agency.

What is Personal Agency?

Personal agency is the belief that you can shape your life through your choices. PTSD fights to take that away. I’m fighting to take it back.

🧭 Why This Hike Matters

• I’m hiking for my own healing. Training and preparing for this trek gives me structure, purpose, and a way to regulate my mind and body through movement, nature, meditation, and mindfulness.

• I’m hiking for other veterans. Every day (on average), we lose 22 veterans to suicide. That number is not just a statistic—it’s a national tragedy. This hike is a symbolic and practical stand against that silence.

• I’m hiking for anyone living with trauma. PTSD doesn’t define us. With the right support, tools, and belief, we can reclaim our stories and live fully again.

🔑 Key Points of My Mission

✅ The Trail is My Therapy: Hiking reconnects me to my body, quiets my nervous system, and brings me back to the present moment.

✅ Preparation is Power: Planning my gear, my food, and my miles gives me a sense of control—replacing chaos with clarity.

✅ Purpose Prevents Isolation: When I hike, I don’t just move my feet—I move through fear. I reconnect with my mission to serve, to lead, and to speak truth into darkness.

✅ Nature Heals Deeply: Out in the wilderness, I don’t feel broken. I feel alive, connected, and human again.

✅ I Am Not Alone: This journey is also for YOU—for anyone who knows what it feels like to struggle, and still chooses to stand up and try again.

📣 Call to Action

I need your support to make this vision a reality—and to make this message loud enough to reach those who need it most.

🎯 Ways you can help:

• 🔗 Donate to my GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/b1fce9b3 - to help cover gear, resupply, and documentary costs.

• 📣 Share this story with friends, veteran organizations, therapists, or anyone who needs to hear it.

• 🤝 Partner with me. I’m looking for sponsors, mental health collaborators, and media opportunities to amplify this mission.

💬 Final Words

The Appalachian Trail is calling—and I am answering the call.

Not to escape life, but to reclaim it.

Not to run from my pain, but to walk with it until it transforms.

If you believe in resilience, in healing, and in the power of choosing your path, then please join me.

One step at a time, we can turn suffering into strength—and silence into a story worth telling.

More from Dr. Keith . . .

Suicide Survivor

As you know, I am training to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2026. This is called a thru-hike because I intend to hike the entire trail northbound from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Katahdin, Maine. Please consider supporting the hike through my GoFundMe page.

For more information, click the link below for Trail to Transformation GoFundMe link.

 https://gofund.me/b1fce9b3

As a five-time suicide attempt survivor, I recognize the importance of human connection. When I wanted to die by suicide, I had no one to turn to, to trust in, or tell my story to. This is a lonely experience . . . an experience no one should go through. My mission is to have conversations . . . and to change the conversation . . . so we are connected and feel validated for our own feelings.

Your Story Matters

If you have made an attempt to end your life, let’s talk. I would like the opportunity to share your story with the world. If you have been left in the wake of someone who has died by suicide, please share your story with me as well.

And if you are still grieving the loss of someone close to you who ended their own life, I know people who can help.

Disclaimer: If you are currently facing levels of stress in your life and are contemplating suicide at this moment, reach out to the credentialed professionals who can help.

SAMHSA & 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA     

About the Author

As an author, podcast host, and purpose-driven/leadership coach, my goal is to help you to redefine your life, get out of your “stuck” situation, and explore your world so you can create real purpose for your life. My book, Walking the Path – A Leader’s Journey is a must-read for anyone looking to create real impact and meaning for themselves and others. I have a heart for those who find life intolerable and frustrating (even scary) because I’ve been there. My goal is to have conversations with each of you so that you feel appreciated, valued, and secure in yourself. Talk soon! 

-          Dr. Keith McNally