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August 26, 2024 • 48min
7 Lessons To Learn Once That Will Improve Your Life Forever
The Mel Robbins Podcast
In this episode, Mel Robbins shares the story of a challenging family hiking trip to Mount Katahdin in Maine. What was meant to be a long-anticipated adventure turned into a stressful situation when Mel realized she had forgotten her hiking boots. Through this experience and encounters with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, Mel learned several profound life lessons that she shares with listeners.
7 Lessons To Learn Once That Will Improve Your Life Forever
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Key Takeaways
- Mindset is crucial when facing challenges. Mel chose to believe her new boots would work out rather than dwelling on potential problems.
- Ask for help when you need it. Mel asked her family for support in navigating difficult parts of the hike.
- Keep moving forward. As one thru-hiker shared, if you keep going, good things eventually come.
- It's never too late to pursue your dreams and goals.
- Nature is healing. Being outdoors can be restorative and transformative.
- People are inherently good. The thru-hikers encountered kindness from strangers throughout their journey.
- You carry your baggage with you in life until you consciously choose to put it down.
- Patience is invaluable when taking on big challenges.
- There's always more to learn if you approach life with an open mindset.
- Checklists are important for avoiding mistakes on big trips or projects.
Introduction
In this episode, Mel Robbins shares the story of a challenging family hiking trip to Mount Katahdin in Maine. What was meant to be a long-anticipated adventure turned into a stressful situation when Mel realized she had forgotten her hiking boots. Through this experience and encounters with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, Mel learned several profound life lessons that she shares with listeners.
Topics Discussed
The Forgotten Boots (2:01)
Mel describes the moment of panic when she realized, after an 8-hour drive, that she had left her hiking boots at home in Vermont. The family was forced to drive 45 minutes away from their destination to find a store where Mel could buy new boots.
- Mel felt small and embarrassed as the family drove in tense silence
- She chose to adopt a positive mindset, telling herself the new boots would work out
- Key lesson: Your mindset in challenging situations can greatly impact the outcome
Family Tension and Resolution (22:32)
Mel describes how the stressful situation created tension among family members as they set up camp. However, they were able to resolve it through open communication.
- Chris initiated a "high and low of the day" discussion around the campfire
- Family members shared their frustrations and perspectives
- Talking it out helped deflate the tension
- Key lesson: Open communication can help resolve conflicts and clear the air
Starting the Hike (26:33)
Mel describes the early morning start to their hike and her initial nervousness about her new boots.
- The family started hiking at 5am with headlamps
- Mel felt anxious as she tested the stiff new boots
- She asked for a family huddle to reset and refocus
- Key lesson: It's okay to ask for support when feeling anxious or overwhelmed
Encounters with Thru-Hikers (29:08)
Mel describes several encounters with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers who were completing their journey on Mount Katahdin.
- First thru-hiker had been on the trail for 172 days
- Two other thru-hikers were completing the trail after 45 years of section hiking
- The hikers shared profound life lessons they had learned on the trail
- Key lessons from thru-hikers:
- You carry your baggage with you in life
- Patience is invaluable
- Keep moving forward and good things will come
- Nature is healing
- It's never too late to pursue your dreams
- People are inherently good
Overcoming Fear on the Boulder Field (41:11)
Mel describes facing her fear of heights while descending the boulder field on Mount Katahdin.
- She was determined not to let fear stop her
- Mel asked her husband and son for help navigating difficult sections
- She focused on taking one step at a time rather than looking at the big picture
- Key lesson: Breaking big challenges into small steps and asking for help can help overcome fears
Success with the New Boots (45:12)
Mel reveals that despite her initial fears, the new boots worked out perfectly for the 12-hour hike.
- She had zero blisters, defying expectations
- Mel attributes this success to her positive mindset
- Key lesson: A positive attitude can sometimes create positive outcomes
Post-Hike Celebration (47:13)
Mel describes the family's post-hike celebration, including an impromptu swim in a beautiful lake.
- They drove to buy cold beer after realizing they had forgotten to pack it
- Mel and her daughters spontaneously jumped in a lake on the drive back
- This moment became a core memory for Mel
- Key lesson: Sometimes the best moments are unplanned
Final Reflections (49:13)
Mel shares her final thoughts and lessons learned from the experience.
- The importance of using checklists to avoid forgetting crucial items
- The value of keeping moving forward, as good things will come
- Mel expresses her belief in listeners' ability to create better lives
Conclusion
This episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast offers a deeply personal and relatable story that illustrates several important life lessons. Through her challenging hiking experience and encounters with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, Mel demonstrates the power of positive thinking, the importance of asking for help, and the value of perseverance. She encourages listeners to approach life's challenges with an open mind, recognizing that there is always more to learn and that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams. The episode serves as an inspiring reminder that by keeping moving forward and maintaining a positive attitude, we can overcome obstacles and create meaningful experiences.