I kicked off my week with one of my favorite rituals: hiking the 1,000 steps in Mount Union, PA. If you’ve ever hiked it, you know – It’s not just a hike. It’s a battle. A quad-burning, soul searching, perspective-shifting grind up the side of Jack’s Mountain that reminds you just how alive you are.

It took about thirty minutes to reach the top, but I wasn’t out with the intention of setting any records. I took multiple breaks. Some were to breathe. Some were to pretend I was admiring the view. Secretly, I was questioning why I put myself through this torture. But that’s the beauty of it. It’s not just a good exercise. It’s a stone staircase. Every step is a reminder that the most transformative experiences wait on the other side of suffering.

The first few sets of steps, 1 through 350 leads you to believe, this isn’t so bad after all. There are multiple flat resting spots where you can catch your breath and sip some water. Its challenging, sure, but manageable. Enough to get your heart pumping and your legs warm, but the real climb hasn’t even begun yet.

And then comes steps 350 to 750, yes – a 400 step section including the steepest steps of the mountain. This is the section of the steps I like to call “The Fuckening.” This is where all hope is lost, dreams go to die and quads go to burn. At no point in this section are there any flat spots to take a break. It’s steeper with each step, relentless and completely unforgiving. It feels like the mountain in itself is testing your will. This is where you start bargaining with the universe, making promises you know you won’t keep. The guy next to me let out a sound, I could only describe as a half whimper, half-dying goat. I’m not sure I’ll ever know what the hell that man was trying to say, but it resonated with me. We both nodded at each other, bounded by our mutual suffering.

Once you reach step 750 the incline softens and hope emerges. The trees feel greener, and your heartbeat doesn’t sound like a war drum in your ears. From 750-1,000, you’re on what I like to call the back 9 of this mountain madness. Its still a climb, but you’ve got flat spots again and the psychological boost of knowing your almost there. Your legs are toast. They are completely shot from the punishment you just endured. Yet, there’s this strange optimism bubbling up. You limp forward, fueled by adrenaline, pride, and maybe the promise of snacks at the top.

And then – finally – you make it.

At the top, the trails fork off like veins across Jack’s Mountain’s. You can explore multiple lookout spots, each offering breathtaking views that make all of the suffering so worth it. Spring has always been my favorite time to come up here. The air was crisp. The sun hung like a golden coin above the horizon. The trees were just beginning to bud. A light breeze rustled through the canopy, carrying the scent of moss and fresh earth. Birds called to each other from other treetops, composing a wild soundtrack to my stillness.

It’s here where I take time to reset. I do a lot of reflecting up on that summit. I think about my physical health, my mental and emotional balance, and my relationships. I also reflect on my work and the business ideas still floating in the back of my mind. Spring is a powerful time of the year for that. The winter blues hit me every year without fail – short days and long nights. It is the season of darkness. Spring is the season of hope. Hope is stubborn. It doesn’t ask for perfect conditions – it grows in the shadows we thought would swallow us whole. Even in our darkest hours, it finds a way to flicker – soft at first, then steady. No matter how heavy the night feels, dawn is always coming. And with it, the reminder that hope can always be found.

As I sat overlooking the valley below, I reflected on this past year. I assessed wins, losses, and the gray areas in between. I thought about how I could get better. I want to be more present as a parent and more supportive as a friend. I aim to be more driven in my work. I strive to be more focused as a student. I intend to be more intentional in my business affairs. I like to write things down, each day gets a moment of reflection. Each decision, a spotlight. Patterns emerge, and the areas where I’ve grown – or where I need to grow – come into focus.

But even with all that self reflection , you can’t do it alone. Coming out of hard seasons – or stepping into new ones – you need a tribe. People to hold you accountable. A different set of eyes to see what you don’t see. People who genuinely support you will care enough to tell you the blunt truth. They will do this regardless if you want to hear it or not. They will remind you that getting better is a team sport.

So, If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just in need of a new perspective – lace up your boots. Go find your 1,000 steps. Let it wreck you. Let it build you.

Then sit at the top. Breathe. Reflect. And plan your next move.