Explore with Brace
Follow unforgettable travel experiences and adventures.
Explore with Brace
Follow unforgettable travel experiences and adventures.
about me
"This journey isn’t just about the miles it’s about the person I’m becoming with every step I take."
The Appalachian Trail taught me something I can’t quite explain fully until you’ve experienced it for yourself. It wasn’t just about the miles, the physical challenge, or even the community. It was about digging deep into who I am. There were moments on that trail when I felt completely alone, when the days were long and the weight of everything seemed unbearable. But those were the moments that shaped me the most. It’s where I found strength I didn’t know I had, and where I really started shedding the layers I’d been holding onto. I came to terms with things, let go of some baggage, and, in a way, became the person I am today. The trail wasn’t just a physical journey. It was a journey to peace and self-awareness.
Since then, I’ve continued to grow, though not always in ways I expected. The lessons from the trail were the foundation, but real growth isn’t linear. Some days, I feel like I’m moving forward, and other days, I feel stuck. And that’s part of it. Understanding that growth doesn’t always mean constant forward motion. Sometimes, it’s about embracing the setbacks, being honest with myself, and allowing space for healing. The process of letting go and accepting what I can’t change has been slow, but it's been real.
But then life threw me something I’m still processing. After the Appalachian Trail, I went through an experience with someone I love dearly. Someone who means the world to me. It’s been with me ever since. For almost eight years now, I’ve felt like I’ve been stuck. Unable to move forward the way I know I should. It’s affected my motivation, my drive to succeed, and my growth as a person. But in a way, I think this struggle has also deepened me. I’ve learned to find strength in uncertainty and patience in the process, even when it’s hard to see the light.
The trail showed me what I’m capable of when everything feels impossible, and it gave me the strength to keep going even when things get tough. I’ve been fighting ever since, trying to make sense of everything, trying to get back to the clarity and peace I had before. I believe hiking the Pacific Crest Trail will help me get there. It’s a way to face that feeling of being stuck head-on. I need this journey, not just for the physical challenge, but to reconnect with that version of myself who found peace on the trail, who found the strength to keep pushing forward no matter what.
The truth is, life isn’t about avoiding the hard moments. It’s about finding the strength to rise above them. I’ve learned that the tough times don’t define me; how I respond to them does. The Pacific Crest Trail isn’t just a chance to reconnect with who I was; it’s a chance to become who I am meant to be. To walk forward with purpose. To leave behind what no longer serves me, and to rediscover the peace, the clarity, and the drive that have always been within me. This journey isn’t just about the miles; it’s about the person I’m becoming with every step I take. And no matter how tough the road ahead, I know I have what it takes to keep moving forward.
Jacob Vince
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My mission
I believe that travel enriches lives and opens minds. My mission is to inspire every traveler to explore new cultures and create unforgettable memories.