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Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Steve Adams
Appalachian Trail
Trail Magic
Long-Distance Hiking
Hiking
Outdoor Adventure
Camino De Santiago
Mental Health
Covid-19
Nursing
Brain Tumor
Portuguese Camino
Hiking Community
Personal Growth
Pacific Crest Trail
Les Francés
John Muir Trail
Camino Francés
Eastern Continental Trail
Baltimore Jack
Physical Therapy

An overweight, 61-year-old retiree, with zero hiking experience, decided to hike the entire 2,185.3 mile length of the Appalachian Trail in 2014. What could possibly go wrong? As his brother, Mike, commented, "It's a bit like taking up boxing and fighting Mike Tyson in your first bout." Join Steve and his guests as they discuss all aspects of the trail, from gear to Lyme Disease, then back to trai... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes509Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsWilderness

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Artwork for Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Latest Episodes

We meet Jesse Cody and Mike Rose today, and hear about their non-profit, Hike the Good Hike, an organization committed to enhance mental wellness through nature. They have partnered with several well-known outdoor brands to provide a path for a dispa... more

Emily Manzon, or Tic Tac, is our guest this week. Emily was looking for an epic way to celebrate her 40th birthday this year, so the Appalachian Trail certainly checked that box.

Along the way, Emily gained a respect for the trail and the impact it... more

Tom Margaria, a retired FDNY firefighter, set out on January 1st from Key West to hike the 5700 mile Eastern Continental Trail. On the way, Tom met up with–and joined–the "Over the Hill Gang," the group including Dave Santi, one of my Mighty Blue Cla... more

We meet a young New Hampshire guy today who had never hiked in New Hampshire prior to his Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year. Galloway Johnson had dreamed about the AT for five years and made it a reality this year.

He didn't enjoy those early d... more

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Recent Guests

Emily Manzon
Known as Tic Tac, Emily is a hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail at age 40.
Episode: Episode #518 - Emily Manzon (Tic Tac)
Tom Margaria
Hiker known as Father Tom, previously retired FDNY firefighter
Episode: Episode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)
Tayson Whittaker
Owner of Outdoor Vitals, a gear company
Outdoor Vitals
Episode: Episode #517 - Tom Margaria (Father Tom)
Galloway Johnson
A young man who had been dreaming of through hiking the AT for five years.
Episode: Episode #516 - Galloway Johnson (Clementine)
Jennifer Cole
Hiker and mother of five who completed the Appalachian Trail.
Episode: Episode #515 - Jennifer Cole (Indy 5)
Lisa Laidlow
New thru-hiker and outdoor enthusiast who recently completed the Appalachian Trail
Episode: Episode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
James Dalberto
A free spirit and hiker who completed his through-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Episode: Episode #512 - James Dalberto (Nomad)
Mills Kelly
Expert on the history of the Appalachian Trail shelters
Episode: Episode #511 - The ALDHA Gathering - October 2025
Dennis Newton
Leader at ALDHA, focusing on trail stewardship and community building
Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association
Episode: Episode #511 - The ALDHA Gathering - October 2025

Host

Steve
Host with a background of humor and relatability, sharing his personal experiences on the Appalachian Trail alongside various guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 669 ratings
  • OBO the Show!

    I found this podcast in March of this year at a time when I was dreaming of the great outdoors and wanting to “get away”. This show has transported me to the Appalachian Trail and beyond. I started with the first shows and have worked my way up to #205. But, I also want to know what’s going on currently, so I listen to the new releases as well #477 - #508! Hopefully, my listening flip flop (or OBO as Steve prefers) will meet in the middle before I step on the trail for my own through hike (O... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoppy on the Trail
    United States3 months ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes or less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United States8 months ago
  • First time listening

    Been trying to find a podcast “ P1” and find this show fits the bill.

    The host is way cool. Funny. Respectful. Wry as a sonofagun.

    Up until last year only dreamed of hiking again. Glad I found this podcast as I have been training to hike the CO Trail but the At holds a fond piece of my heart. I live 3 hours from the start of the AT and this podcast has me driving to the trailhead tomorrow and my son is gonna drop me off on Monday. I am gonna give it a go. I am 67. You inspired me today. Thanks... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3 for 10
    United States9 months ago
  • Too long

    The podcast is still too long. Keep it to 30 or 60 minutes less. And the woman’s voice at the intro is painful to listen to. Otherwise, the guests are interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United States10 months ago
  • Hiking podcast!

    Thank you so much for doing this podcast! I love hiking and plan to do more and longer hikes in my retirement. This is great information to help me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kenhagen
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast resonates even with non-hikers, making it appealing to a broader audience through relatable stories and insights.
Listeners express that the content is both informative and heartwarming, often shedding light on personal journeys of growth and the community aspect of hiking.
The host's engaging style is praised, with many feeling a connection to his storytelling and the guests' experiences.
Some comments suggest a desire for shorter episodes, but overall, feedback highlights the emotional impact and inspiring narratives shared.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode #516 - Galloway Johnson (Clementine)
Q: What was the attraction to hiking the trail at such a young age?
Galloway wanted to explore and didn't want to wait until retirement to hike the AT.
Episode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
Q: What was the pull for you to get back into the outdoors?
I wanted to return to what I experienced as a young child and find something meaningful as an empty nester.
Episode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
Q: Did you lose much weight?
I lost 30 pounds during the hike.
Episode #513 - Lisa Laidlow (High Viz)
Q: How are you feeling right now, by the way?
I feel pretty good. It's been a month. I've had some time to rest but my feet still hurt a bit.
Episode #509 - Chrissy and Ady Schubert
Q: When did you first feel that something wasn't quite right with Ady?
Chrissie noticed something was wrong when Ady became ill as an infant and lost her connection, leading to her autism diagnosis.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the transformative experiences of long-distance hiking, this podcast covers the journeys of individuals who tackle the iconic Appalachian Trail, often in pursuit of personal growth and connection to the outdoors. With a diverse range of guests, including seasoned hikers and those venturing out for the first time, discussions revolve around the challenges of hiking, the joy of nature, and the deep personal stories that emerge from such adventures. Listeners can expect to hear about various themes, such as community support, mental resilience, family dynamics in hiking, and the intersection of personal struggles and triumphs related to the trail experience.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Backpacker Radio
2. Wild Ideas Worth Living
3. Adventure Sports Podcast
4. Outside Podcast
5. Exploring the National Parks

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 509 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Emily Manzon
2. Tom Margaria
3. Tayson Whittaker
4. Galloway Johnson
5. Jennifer Cole
6. Lisa Laidlow
7. James Dalberto
8. Mills Kelly

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