Reset on the Divide: JT Olson’s 3,100-Mile Journey to Rediscover Purpose with Dr. Leo Kormanik, Dr. Matt Pisanelli, & Zach Goulet

Mind Body Marathon: Running, Health & Human Performance

In this lively episode of the MindBodyMarathon podcast, the crew—Dr. Matt, Zach Goulet, and guest JT Olson—dive into JT's ambitious plan to hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), a rugged 3,100-mile trek from Mexico to Canada through the Rocky Mountains. With no prior thru-hiking experience but a long-standing love for backpacking rooted in his Colorado childhood, JT shares how his passion for the outdoors and a need to reset from the intensity of 12 years in teaching and coaching led to this life-shifting decision. The conversation explores the physical and logistical challenges of the CDT, the trail's daunting remoteness and elevation, and JT's mindset as he prepares for stretches of up to nine days without resupply. Most powerfully, he reflects on the emotional and spiritual reasons behind the journey—stepping away to prevent burnout and realign with his core values, acknowledging that even the most meaningful passions require space to breathe.

The speaker reflects on the motivation behind embarking on the ambitious journey of thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), highlighting it as a deeply personal and spiritual challenge rooted in a lifelong love for the West and the outdoors. The journey represents both a physical test—averaging 30 miles a day for 100 days—and an internal reckoning, a chance to rekindle spiritual practices and rediscover personal grit once forged through collegiate athletics and now revisited in solitude. The CDT’s obscurity compared to the more famous AT and PCT appeals to the speaker’s desire for less-trodden paths and deeper experiences, away from the crowds. Starting in the New Mexico desert and heading north toward Glacier National Park, the trip will demand resilience, especially through water-scarce stretches and high-altitude terrain. Supported by close friends and family, including a send-off from Colorado and a planned meetup in the Colorado Rockies, the endeavor is both a tribute to past adventures and a bold new chapter, with plans to document the experience through journaling and social media for connection and safety.

The speaker discusses the planning and mental approach for an upcoming long-distance hike, likely the Continental Divide Trail, highlighting Colorado as the most physically challenging segment due to its high elevation and summer thunderstorms, which will require early starts and strategic bailout options. They express excitement about exploring the southern Colorado mountains, revisiting the scenic Wind River Range in Wyoming, and finally experiencing Glacier National Park for the first time. The conversation also touches on a recent injury scare involving the right foot that temporarily altered the speaker’s outlook—shifting their mindset from assuming perfection to accepting that pain and setbacks are part of the journey. After seeking treatment and reassurance from their clinician, they feel optimistic and prepared, making gear adjustments like switching to wider trail shoes. Their strategy includes gradually testing pack weight and dialing in high-calorie, fat-dense, no-cook foods to meet the demands of the hike. Ultimately, the experience reflects themes of resilience, self-care, and applying coaching wisdom to oneself.

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, the speaker reflects on the emotional and physical preparations for an upcoming thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. He discusses anticipated changes to his body, gear choices, and trail strategies, including leveraging cold water in Colorado for recovery and keeping pack weight light with ultra-light equipment. He shares logistical plans like possibly staying in a hotel with his parents near Breckenridge and pushing mileage during easier trail sections. There’s also a deeper reflection on his decision to step away from coaching after twelve fulfilling years, emphasizing that his departure is rooted in love and a desire to avoid burnout. Grateful for the support of his community, former athletes, and teammates, he gets emotional about the bonds he's formed and expresses deep appreciation for the network that's empowered him to take on this ambitious journey.

@drleokormanik @drmattpisanelli @zmglmt

• #ContinentalDivideTrail
• #CDT2025 (or #CDT2024 depending on timing)
• #ThruHike
• #ThruHiking
• #HikingAdventure
• #BackpackingLife
• #LongDistanceHiking
• #TrailLife
• #UltralightBackpacking
• #LeaveTheTrailBetter
• #MindBodyJourney
• #AdventureMindset
• #GrowthThroughChallenge
• #BurnoutRecovery
• #MentalHealthJourney
• #ResilienceInNature
• #SpiritualReset
• #HealingOnTheTrail
• #CoachToHiker
• #FromTrackToTrail
• #RunningCommunity
• #RunInspired
• #AthleteMindset
• #MindBodyMarathon
• #PodcastEpisode
• #PodcastConversation
• #OutdoorPodcast
• #HikingPodcast

You can order the Dr. Leo Kormanik's book Faster Without Fail on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4eEsB7M.

Be sure to also check out Dr. Leo's Running Rehab YouTube page at www.YouTube.com/@RunningRehab.