Mile 365. Off trail, day 2 of 3. Phoenix Rising.

Hi, my name is Phoenix.  Phoenix Rising.

Trail names are a long-standing tradition on the Appalachian Trial.   They are personas, stories, mantras, and - for many - a new identity.

While not always the case, trail names are bestowed by other through-hikers during the first month on the trail.   Hikers don’t necessarily need to take the very first name given to them; they can try on a few for size to feel what resonates the most.

Trail names of my friends:   The Professor, Viking, Flight Risk, Mosey, Otter, DooDoo Brown, Sugar Daddy, Bougie, Poptart, Big Z, Slug, Walmart, Pirate, Woodstock, Sweets, River, Hello, Firefly, Namas-stay, Namas-go, Bear, Beans, Huckleberry….   Aren’t these fun?

The name Phoenix was given to me by Jamie, a section hiker and one of my first friends on the trail.  Jamie was sectioning through Georgia and didn’t think it was right for him to take a name, although he could have if he wanted.   Anything goes out here.

“You are always so optimistic,” Jamie observed about me.  “You’ve been through some tough times in your life.   Nothing ever gets you down.”

He’s right!    Nothing ever gets me down.   Any shit that comes my way only becomes fuel to make me stronger.  I will rise up every. single. time.  Bring it. 

I first learned to rise up in the face of adversity in high school.   After losing an election for secretary of the local Key Club chapter, my mom gently nudged me.   “When a door closes, there’s always a window.   Look for that window.”    So I ran for the Lieutenant Governor for all Key Clubs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee - and I won!   Even better, by focusing all clubs on the same adult literacy platform, we were able to make a significant impact.  And I was awarded a Point of Light by then-President George H. W. Bush.

My life is peppered with similar stories of seemingly negative situations that become fuel to power my next biggest victory.  

Leaving an abusive husband became fuel to channel my frustrations into IRONMAN ultra-distance triathlon competitions.   On my 10th IRONMAN, I qualified for World Championships in Kona, Hawaii by placing second in my age group. 

After I hurt my back taking me out of IRONMAN, I channeled my energy into work.   And then COVID came.   And I found myself leading Labcorp’s business continuity efforts, ensuring thousands of “regular” patients in over 600 clinical trials receive continued treatment and follow-up care when the rest of the medical world was redirected to COVID treatment.   I received the Hero’s Award for my leadership.  

And - now - a melanoma diagnosis was a wake up call.   It’s time to live my life now, while I can.   And so I am now hiking the Appalachian Trial with zero hiking and camping experience - just dive right in with both feet.   Let’s figure this out on the fly - and let’s thrive in the process!!    I’m only just beginning!

This is life.   This is sucking out every morsel of good that life has to offer - even in the darkest of places.

I am Phoenix.   Phoenix Rising.