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This is the true story of a former Army medic’s 13-month hike across America as an attempt to physically undergo the archetypal “Hero’s Journey” as a method of therapy and profound self transformation, while campaigning for veteran suicide prevention along the way.
Had I truly known the risk and unbelievable resilience that this journey would require, I probably would have chickened out.
My name is Alex. I'm an Army Veteran. I served as a combat medic with 2/27 Wolfhounds, 25th Infantry Division. I'd been out of the military for a decade before starting my hike across America, and I've certainly had some dark times since leaving the service. Like many veterans, I struggled with suicidal thoughts for years. Following a dark period in my life, I decided to take on the insane challenge of hiking from coast to coast to seek the healing and transformation that I viscerally knew I needed. I used that opportunity to walk for the suicide prevention of all veterans.
Unlike some of the legendary men and women I had the honor of serving with, I am no hero, but this journey was my real-world attempt at undergoing the archetypal "Hero's Journey." To go out into the unknown and bring back precious fruits to help save one's people and himself. The lessons I learned throughout the journey are my fruits from the unknown. This book is an attempt to share those priceless lessons I learned along the way.
