From Dream to Distance: How I Walked My Way to a New Life (with a Little Help from Mac) 

Meet Mike - a husband, parent, dog dad, health coach, and walking enthusiast who once stood at Hadrian’s Wall with a dream that felt out of reach - to walk its full length. 

A single decision in late 2019 set him on a path of transformation that would change everything: his health, his mindset, and his life. 

With the help of a dedicated health program, a four-legged hiking buddy, and the support of his wife, Mike didn’t just walk Hadrian’s Wall—he crushed it. 

This is the story of how one man lost 120 pounds, walked 126 miles across the UK, discovered a deep love for hiking, and now helps others do the same, all by taking that first step. 

For years, my wife Karen and I would stop by Hadrian’s Wall whenever we found ourselves travelling through the UK. We’d stand there, soaking in the views, and say, “One day, we’re going to walk the whole thing.” But deep down, it felt like a dream that might never happen.  

That changed in November 2019, when I made a decision that would transform my life. At 57 years old, I started a health journey. I lost over 2 stone in the first month and 4 stone in 90 days. With every pound I dropped, I gained back confidence—and the drive to push further. 

In January 2020, I started walking—just a mile or two each day. Within a month, I was averaging 5–6 miles daily, and by spring, I was logging 14–15-mile walks on weekends. My Border Collie, aptly named Mac, quickly became my walking partner. He’s high-energy, loyal, and perfectly suited for the adventure we were about to live.

Eventually, I was averaging 50 miles a week, and in the lead-up to our first walking trip with Macs Adventure, I took it even further—walking 14–15 miles a day for two solid months to train for Hadrian’s Wall. 

In September 2021, the dream became a reality, and we took on Hadrian's Wall, which we booked through Macs.  Before the trip, Mac and I trained daily on the Greenbelt in Kingsport, Tennessee, where we live—a 10-mile paved trail. On weekends, Karen, Mac, and I would hike in the mountains of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Back in September 2020, the three of us took a two-week road trip out west, visiting national and state parks like Badlands, Yellowstone, and Theodore Roosevelt. That trip gave us a real taste of what life on foot could offer—and it sealed the deal. 

By the time we stepped onto Hadrian’s Wall Path, we were more than ready. We didn’t just complete the journey—we exceeded it, walking 126 miles in 7 days. I was 59, healthier than I’d been in decades, and fully alive. That trip was the turning point. 

Since then, I’ve stayed committed. I started running 5Ks and became a certified Health Coach, helping over 75 clients make the same kinds of transformations. In November 2022, Karen and I completed another Macs walk - this time exploring Malta and Gozo. It was our first time there, and we absolutely loved the culture, the views, and of course, the food. 

These days, we still walk about 30–50 miles a week, with longer hikes on the weekends. The physical benefits are obvious, but the mental clarity and emotional peace that come from being outdoors have been just as powerful. Early on, I used to listen to podcasts on my walks. That didn’t last long. Nature had more to say, and I quickly realised that being present in the moment, really hearing the wind, birds, and footsteps, was better than any podcast. 

Walking with Macs Adventure has allowed us to experience the world in a way that feels deeply human. You get to know a place by walking it—its people, its culture, its food, and its history. It’s immersive in a way no tour bus or guidebook can replicate. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t need to be a lifelong athlete to take a self-guided walking trip. You just need to take the first step. Walk a little today. A little more tomorrow. Stay consistent, and in 30 days, you might be amazed at what you’re capable of. 

I know I was. 

And for the record, Macs is the best.