From “Cardiac Cripple” to Ageless Wanderer: How Walking Transformed My Life

In April 2024, I'm embarking on a journey that would have seemed impossible thirty years ago. I'll be walking twenty miles daily, alongside FreeWalkers and numerous others, starting from Bethesda, Maryland. But let me tell you, it's not just about the miles; it's about the miracle of being alive and thriving.

Thirty years ago, I was labeled a "cardiac cripple." Merely three and a half minutes on a treadmill would send my heart into a frenzy of tachycardia. I've had my heart stopped and restarted three times, each time feeling like a balloon tethered to my chest was deflating. But here I am today, at 76, looking better, feeling healthier, and defying biological tests that peg my age at seventy-one.

The turning point came when I stumbled upon a business card in the Maplewood train station at the age of 48. It read "Risa Olinsky Fitness Coach," and indeed she was my savior. Two years of exercise dedication transformed me from a sedentary, overweight individual into someone who could effortlessly trounce a treadmill. The epiphany hit me hard one day at a convention hotel gym - I was fifty, fit, and full of life.

Unlike my family, who seemed to age like fruit flies, I dared to believe I could grow old if I put in the effort. And so, I took the first step - quite literally - by walking. With other FreeWalkers by my side, I've explored terrains far and wide, from El Camino to the vineyards of Alsace. Walking isn't about physical health alone; it's about feeding the soul with fresh air and camaraderie.

I am a veteran traveler, having visited 110 countries and counting, but there is no way to see the world better than to walk. Walking has not only strengthened my heart but also cleared my mind. Whether walking alone in Athens to the ancient amphitheater, trekking in Bhutan  or climbing the Temples of Angkor Wat at sunrise,  I find solace in the rhythm of my steps. I've pushed my limits, walking up to thirty-five miles, competing only with myself, and learning to forgive when I fall short.

Moving to Palm Springs didn't stop my stride; I found new hiking clubs and tackled mountains with renewed vigor. Tomorrow, I'll Hike 4 Hope, supporting a cancer charity, a reminder of how far I've come from the days when every step was a struggle.

Adriane Berg, The Ageless Traveler Podcast Host