09/18/2026
My husband and I just got back from an amazing hiking trip: the Tour du Mont Blanc. It’s 100+ miles, 30,000+ feet of elevation gain, and 10 days around Mount Blanc, situated on the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland.
We met a ton of international hikers, and every time they learned we were from Florida, we always got asked the same questions:
“Flat florida? How did you prepare?”
Or my personal favorite: “Bet you were on the stair master for hours!”
I’m happy to answer that no, hiking 100+ miles does not mean death by stair master. In fact, I haven’t been on a stair master since high school, when I thought that’s how you got fit. And no, I don’t run marathons either.
So how did 2 Floridians prepare for the TMB?
Strength training.
It’s the stuff we do everyday in our gym: single-leg squats and deadlifts, lunges, step ups, split squats. Not to mention core and back strength for keeping great posture while carrying a pack.
I don’t think people talk enough about the resilience strength training can give you. And I’m not just talking about muscles.
There is a mental resilience that comes from doing hard things. From being uncomfortable, sore, tired, or even a little intimidated, and knowing that you can handle it.
That’s the biggest reason I show up in the gym.
The goal is not always hiking 100 miles. Maybe it’s simply to be a little happier with yourself.
Either way, strength training gives you the confidence to get over the humps to smoother paths ahead
