Julia Sheehan - Finding Strength and Peace on the Appalachian Trail, Through Yoga, and in Her Memoir

Bush & Banter

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with thru-hiker and author Julia Sheehan to unpack her transformative 2,190-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. Julia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of the hike, the experience of documenting it on social media, and the unexpected impact of going viral. She shares insights from her new book, Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail, and gets candid about the pressure to stay authentic online, navigate community expectations, and filter through the noise of constant feedback.

Julia has stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail, but shares about the unique charm and magic of the Appalachian Trail. Julia also reflects on how yoga and writing her memoir became a key part of her healing—and why vulnerability is essential to meaningful storytelling. This conversation goes beyond the trail. It’s about resilience, self-discovery, and learning to navigate the highs and lows—on and off the path.

Follow Julia on Instagram - @juliasheehan

Her book - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

Her documentary - Into the Wild: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

Backpacker article - Her Thru-Hike Went Viral. Then She Quit.

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

2:32 Welcome, Julia Sheehan!

7:07 What life looked like for Julia when she left for the Appalachian Trail

10:32 Julia's reasons on filming her AT thru-hike

16:01 The impacts of social media + thru-hiking and how to handle online criticism

30:45 Julia's memoir - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

56:12 Julia's yoga journey + the benefits of practicing yoga

1:09:04 Why do first-time thru-hikers keep going back

1:15:00 The unique magic of the Appalachian Trail

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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Welcome, Julia Sheehan! (00:02:32)

3. What life looked like for Julia when she left for the Appalachian Trail (00:07:07)

4. Julia's reasons on filming her AT thru-hike (00:10:32)

5. Julia's viral Appalachian Trail documentary (00:14:45)

6. The impacts of social media + thru-hiking and how to handle online criticism (00:16:01)

7. Julia's memoir - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail (00:30:45)

8. Facing a new audience with her book (00:41:59)

9. Trying to get a book deal and the process of self-publishing (00:51:40)

10. Julia's yoga journey + the benefits of practicing yoga (00:56:12)

11. To meditate, or not to meditate (01:04:00)

12. Why do first-time thru-hikers keep going back (01:09:04)

13. The unique magic of the Appalachian Trail (01:15:00)

14. Where you can connect with and follow Julia (01:17:46)