Empower Yourself to Live a Better Life Motivational Speaker from Asheville, NC

I offer an inspirational presentation based on the universal truths that became very clear to me during my “thru”-hikes of the Appalachian (2,200 miles) and Pacific Crest Trails (2,700 miles), along with my personal story of stepping into my own empowerment. It is centered around the theme of self-transformation. I answer the question of why I undertake these long journeys in the first place, discuss some of the obstacles I have overcome (both in life and on the trail), and share some of the life lessons I have learned on these long hikes. My hope is to inspire people to step outside of their comfort zones, tap into their greater potential, and discover what makes them come alive. Many of the things that I learned on my journey are universal principles, which apply to ALL human beings- not just backpackers. The trail is a very simplified environment in which so much of the external stimuli that we are constantly bombarded by is eliminated. When stripped of many of the constant demands placed upon us, we are able to focus more internally, listen to ourselves more closely, and receive lessons that take much longer to learn in the busy world that we live in. The story I tell is personal, spiritual, and ultimately, is about reclaiming one’s life. I also share a slideshow of photos that I took along my PCT journey, set to music, that allows the viewer to vicariously experience the journey with me. I then hold a question and answer session. I have given this presentation over 75 times and the responses have been tremendous. Why would a person leave the comforts of society behind to walk a 2 foot wide dirt path across the country? What happens when you open yourself to the unknown and all of the experiences that unfold along a backpacking trip spanning thousands of miles? How can you experience the unknown without stepping foot anywhere? In this presentation, Wendy Johnston shares some of the wisdom that became clear to her during her 6,000 miles of backpacking across the country (on the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Colorado Trails)- lessons that can be applied universally to anyone or any situation in life. Her talk pairs inspiration with principles required to achieve desired dreams. Long distance backpacking is as much an internal journey as it is an external, physical journey. In sharing what drew her to such journeys, some of the obstacles that she overcame to accomplish her goals, how her experiences transformed her life, and how the lessons she learned along the way can be applied to your own life, she hopes to inspire you to take action toward your own dreams. Wendy is here to remind you to remain true to yourself and your own path in life, that every challenge can be turned into an opportunity, and that you possess a well of potential that can be tapped into at any time. I also offer presentations on "How to Achieve Freedom from Suffering: It’s all in the Mind!" All suffering stems from what we are thinking and believing. It is not dependent on the circumstances we are in. In this presentation, I share simple techniques on how to end your suffering, achieve mental freedom, and reclaim peace and empowerment. It’s not about the events that happen to you, but your interpretation of them. If you can change your thoughts about a situation, you can change your life!