One Step at a Time: How Hiking Changed My Life

By Kim Hanson on behalf of Girls Gone Hiking

I once tipped the scales at 267 pounds. I was depressed, navigating the emotions of my twins preparing to leave for college, and working a job that demanded more of me than I felt I could give. I knew I couldn't continue living that way. Something had to change.

I made an appointment for a full physical and mental health evaluation. The results were frightening. I realized I had a choice: continue down the same path or make a change. The only question was—where do I start?

 So, I started small. I began by making better food choices, and that worked for a while. But I still wanted more. I wanted a better mindset. I wanted to feel better, move better, and truly enjoy my life again. That's when I discovered the world of hiking.

 At first, hiking was simply something new to try. Then, it became something I learned to love. Closing my rings became a daily goal, and before long, I found myself searching for new trails and challenging myself to do more.

 I will never forget my first long hike at Frontenac State Park. While climbing the infamous stairs, I was fully convinced the EMTs were going to have to Life Flight me out of there because there was absolutely no way I was making it to the top.

 Fun fact: I survived. I made it to the top. It just took me a long time—and plenty of breaks. But on the drive home, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time: I felt really good. That hike became the beginning of my journey toward something more. I started looking for new trails and challenging myself to improve with every trip. Slowly, my stamina grew. My confidence grew. My desire to keep going escalated. Along the way, my entire lifestyle changed.

 And the best part? I lost 110 pounds. Over the course of two years, I changed in ways that had nothing to do with the number on the scale. I grew as a person. I outgrew relationships. I discovered strengths I didn't know I had. And perhaps most importantly, I learned to love myself.  Each trail, each step, and every new location left me wanting more.

 In the spring of 2026, I began looking for hiking groups and discovered Girls Gone Hiking. I was so excited—but also incredibly nervous. My first hike with GGH was Memorial Day weekend at Lebanon Hills. During the drive there, I kept asking myself, Am I really about to meet up with a bunch of women I don't even know?

 Honestly, I thought I was going to puke. But the experience was instantly positive.From the moment I arrived, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. I left that hike feeling like I had found my place. Not long after, I applied to become a hike lead, and this summer, I began hosting hikes of my own.

 This summer has been incredibly fulfilling.  I am in the best physical shape I've been in for nearly 20 years. And my mental health? I honestly haven't been this happy in many years. The changes I've made over the past couple of years have touched every part of my life. But getting out on the trails, discovering new parks, and connecting with other women who want to build community has truly been life-changing.

 And let me tell you something: if I can now comfortably navigate a seven-mile hike, anyone can start their own journey. I used to struggle to climb a small flight of stairs. Now, I find myself searching for more challenging trails—not because I have anything to prove to anyone else, but because every challenge reminds me of just how far I've come. I didn't change my life overnight.

 I started small. One better choice. One step. One trail. One hike at a time. And somehow, those small steps led me here.

 So, if you're standing at the beginning of your own journey and wondering where to start, my advice is simple: start small. You don't have to be ready to hike seven miles. You just have to be willing to take the first step.