Writer and hiker Cara Benson joins us for a deeply personal conversation about grief, addiction, healing, and the solace found in wild places. We explore how hiking helped us navigate profound loss, what it means to keep moving forward when life shatters, and how nature can offer connection, perspective, and comfort when words fail. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman searching for meaning after a lifetime of caring for everyone but herself.

Writer and hiker Cara Benson joins us for a deeply personal conversation about grief, addiction, healing, and the solace found in wild places. We explore how hiking helped us navigate profound loss, what it means to keep moving forward when life shatters, and how nature can offer connection, perspective, and comfort when words fail. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman searching for meaning after a lifetime of caring for everyone but herself.

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.

In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.
In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

Mind Over Mountain

Walking through Loss with Author and Hiker Cara Benson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9e2daf4-6835-44f0-be70-b473012d5cf7/transcript

This week I talk with 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin about the mental strength behind her extraordinary swimming career, the failures that ultimately shaped her success, and what it means to keep beginning again. Natalie shares how visualization helped her become a champion, why missing her first Olympic team became a gift, and how she learned to embrace new chapters after swimming. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman wondering how to start over and find a fulfilling second career.

This week I talk with 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin about the mental strength behind her extraordinary swimming career, the failures that ultimately shaped her success, and what it means to keep beginning again. Natalie shares how visualization helped her become a champion, why missing her first Olympic team became a gift, and how she learned to embrace new chapters after swimming. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman wondering how to start over and find a fulfilling second career.

The Courage to Start Over with Olympic Swimming Champion Natalie Coughlin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/86c82e06-8bd8-4aa0-afad-b4c7011fdae5/transcript

Paralympic champion Christie Raleigh Crossley spent decades chasing an Olympic dream, even as accidents, motherhood, brain surgery, and disability repeatedly changed the path beneath her. Christie joins us to talk about learning to adapt, letting go of the life she thought she’d have, and finally reaching the podium in Paris. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a mother struggling to accept that parenthood looks different than she imagined.

Paralympic champion Christie Raleigh Crossley spent decades chasing an Olympic dream, even as accidents, motherhood, brain surgery, and disability repeatedly changed the path beneath her. Christie joins us to talk about learning to adapt, letting go of the life she thought she&rsquo;d have, and finally reaching the podium in Paris. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a mother struggling to accept that parenthood looks different than she imagined.

The Same Dream, a Different Path with Paralympic Swimming Champion Christie Raleigh Crossley

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5f039e1a-b7d8-4fcf-a5f2-b4c001126d39/transcript

Wrestling icon, writer, and mental health advocate AJ Mendez joins me to talk about what happens when we stop hiding the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to fear. AJ reflects on becoming the trailblazing AJ Lee, walking away at the height of her career, and returning to wrestling a decade later as a healthier, more whole version of herself. We talk about vulnerability, finding power in the things that make us different, and why sometimes the thing that scares us most is exactly where we need to go. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about heartbreak, emotional intensity, and learning to build the love and security we seek within ourselves.

Wrestling icon, writer, and mental health advocate AJ Mendez joins me to talk about what happens when we stop hiding the parts of ourselves we&rsquo;ve been taught to fear. AJ reflects on becoming the trailblazing AJ Lee, walking away at the height of her career, and returning to wrestling a decade later as a healthier, more whole version of herself. We talk about vulnerability, finding power in the things that make us different, and why sometimes the thing that scares us most is exactly where we need to go. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about heartbreak, emotional intensity, and learning to build the love and security we seek within ourselves.

The Thing That Scares You Most: WWE Pro Wrestler AJ Mendez on Finding Your Superpower

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0f4f508f-2a15-4a5a-9b24-b4b401871188/transcript

Walking through Loss with Author and Hiker Cara Benson

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