Julia "Rocket" Sheehan on Her Social Media Fall from Grace, Quitting on a Thru-Hike, and Her New Book (BPR #311)

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Julia Sheehan, known on trail, as Rocket. Julia is a thru-hiker, former Trek Vlogger, social media sensation, nurse, and now a published author. Julia details how impulsive decision-making lead her to the wonderful world that is thru-hiking, inspired in part by everyone’s favorite Hiking Viking. Rocket also shares how health issues ultimately forced her off-trail, the unsavory response she’s gotten from some in the social media sphere in light of “quitting” and subsequently posting non-hiking content. Julia also shares the process in self-publishing her brand new book, Hiking is the Easy Part, a memoir of her thru-hike on the AT.

We wrap the show with some news about Trail Correspondents 2026 edition, the story of a hiker that was found alive at a popular PCT pitstop after being lost in the backcountry for weeks, how much weight people lose during an AT thru-hike (and why it's generally not a good long term weight loss strategy), Chaunce and I have a borderline-impossible coincidence during today's QOTD, and the triple crown of albums.

Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKSPRING15” at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. 

Ombraz: Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/, and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you.

Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

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Interview with Julia “Rocket” Sheehan

• Rocket's Instagram
• Rocket's Youtube
• Rocket's Blog

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:30 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon and apply to blog for the Trek!

00:07:45 - Introducing Rocket

00:08:20 - Tell us about your social media journey

00:15:30 - Did you ever feel like you could make a living from social media?

00:17:10 - Tell us about your background in the military

00:19:30 - How did you transition from the military to nursing?

00:21:15 - Can you talk about running from things prior to thru-hiking?

00:23:00 - Discussion about Rocket’s eating disorder

00:27:50 - What got you to the AT?

00:32:00 - What was the beginning of the AT like?

00:34:45 - At what point did thru-hiking click for you?

00:38:57 - What’s the hard part of thru-hiking?

00:43:00 - Tell us about the half gallon challenge

00:45:15 - How did you get your trail name?

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