May 21, 2024 • 10 mins
Embark on a profound journey of healing and discovery alongside retired US Army Colonel Todd Tuttle as he traverses the breathtaking vistas of the Appalachian Trail with Warriors Expedition. In our latest episode, Todd opens up about his transformative experience, covering over 550 miles through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and into Virginia. As he hikes with nine other veterans, they each find solace in nature's embrace, learning to reconcile with their past and forge a path towards mental wellness. Tune in to hear Todd's firsthand accounts of the emotional and physical renaissance sparked by each step on this epic trek.
Ever found yourself in a motivational slump, struggling to lace up those running shoes or even step onto the yoga mat? I'm right there with you. Join me, Kevin Kline, as I get candid about my own battle to begin a long-distance running routine and the quirky yet effective tactics I've adopted. From my ritualistic anti-chafing preparations to the peculiar sense of obligation to not waste a single nipple cover, I unpack the mental hurdles of initiating any physical pursuit. Discover the surprising joy and mental clarity that comes from pushing past procrastination and embracing the movement, whether it's a marathon or simply a walk around the block.
Ever found yourself in a motivational slump, struggling to lace up those running shoes or even step onto the yoga mat? I'm right there with you. Join me, Kevin Kline, as I get candid about my own battle to begin a long-distance running routine and the quirky yet effective tactics I've adopted. From my ritualistic anti-chafing preparations to the peculiar sense of obligation to not waste a single nipple cover, I unpack the mental hurdles of initiating any physical pursuit. Discover the surprising joy and mental clarity that comes from pushing past procrastination and embracing the movement, whether it's a marathon or simply a walk around the block.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Fuzzy Mike, the interview series, the
podcast, whatever Kevin wants tocall it.
It's Fuzzy Mike.
Hello and thank you for joiningme on the Fuzzy Mike where we
give you entertaining andhelpful conversation on mental
health navigation.
I'm your host, kevin Kline, onthe Tuttle Kline podcast, the
podcast I co-host with mylongtime radio partner, Tim
(00:22):
Tuttle, where we give you newepisodes every Wednesday.
We spoke with Tim's brother,todd Tuttle, retired US Army
colonel See Todd's two monthsinto a six-month hike on the
Appalachian Trail.
He's doing it for WarriorsExpedition.
Todd has covered 550 of thenearly 2,200 miles of the trail.
(00:43):
He started in Georgia.
He's gone through Georgia,north Carolina and Tennessee.
He's now in Virginia and Todd'sdoing it along with nine other
hikers as part of WarriorsExpedition.
It's a veteran nonprofitoutdoor therapy program that
helps veterans transition fromtheir wartime experiences
through long-distance outdoorexpedition.
(01:04):
During the expedition, veteranshave the opportunity to
decompress from their militaryservice and come to terms with
their wartime experiences.
So we asked Todd when he was onwith us the other day if what
he's experienced so far has hadthe impact on his mental healing
that he hoped it would have forthis massive undertaking.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Oh yeah, there's no doubt that the what you get out
of long term exposure withnature, or what they call nature
therapy, I could definitelytell a difference with me.
And they say it really doesn'tclick until about a thousand
mile mark.
Uh, but yeah, you know, theother veterans are doing great.
(01:46):
Um, since I, you know, saw themat the start, you know, almost
two months ago, uh, we crosspaths all the time.
Uh, I've been with one guy inparticular Papa Smurf is his
trail name and uh, he isdefinitely coming along.
You know, physically we're allgetting better too, obviously
losing weight, getting stronger,doing that.
(02:08):
But emotional and mental healthAwesome, there's nothing better
than being out in nature?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
That's the second question that my psychiatrist
asks me when I see him on myregular visit how active are you
?
We've long discussed thebenefits of physical activity,
how it's the most affordable andnatural way to curb mental
struggles.
It's what I call clearing thecobwebs.
You don't have to do somethingas big as what Todd is doing.
(02:36):
You don't have to run like I do.
All you have to do is findsomething physical whether it's
walking, biking, gardening,anything that gets you moving,
and you'll be amazed at howdifferent you feel.
Listen, I hate starting.
It's the worst part of anythingfor me.
In our case here, since we'retalking about physical activity,
(02:59):
and long distance running is mymethod of mental clarity
movement I'm going to equate itto that.
Starting is difficult for me forso many reasons.
First and foremost, I'd rathersleep in, but once I get up,
though, I have to prepare mygear and body.
I fill my hydration bladder,put on my Trailtoes anti-chafing
(03:21):
and blister prevention cream.
I swear by this stuff.
I put it on my feet, I put itunder my arms, I put it between
my legs, my groin area, a littlebit in the backside.
If you know what I mean, younever know where you're going to
chafe, when you're running 20miles plus at a time.
Then I cover my nipples withthose little circular band-aids,
I spray 100 SPF sunscreen on myneck and my arms, I put the
(03:45):
similar amount on my nose with acream, then I warm up and
stretch, because I'm old now,and then I go outside in the
heat and I see that hill that'swaiting for me because we live
at the bottom.
So every run starts uphill, andthose are the immediate
detriments to starting.
(04:05):
It's about 45 minutes where Ican talk myself out of running.
But once I put those nip coverson, I have to run because I
don't like wasting them, and ifI put them on only to take them
off without running, that's awaste.
So now I've started.
But there's more starting thatstare at me in the face, the
(04:26):
starting of a new routine.
How many days can I stick withthis?
But to motivate me further, youknow, as if my own mental
clarity and mental health isn'tenough to motivate me, I sign up
for a race or I think of somerunning feat I could do.
That would give me a goal towork towards.
So now I've started a countdownto a specific date.
(04:47):
But here's the thing Once Istart, it becomes easier.
After my first mile, it's stillshorter to turn around and go
back one mile than it is tofinish the remaining 13.
But here's what I say to myselfKev, you're already in it.
You might as well finish it.
Suddenly, I'm relaxed, I'mtaking in my surroundings, I'm
(05:12):
looking for wildlife, deer,squirrels, turtles, snakes and
I'm appreciating the flowingwater in the river beside me.
Now, 13 more miles is a treat.
It's no longer a chore.
This is where the healing andmental health progress begins,
because I let go of all thereasons not to do something and
(05:36):
can now consume all of thereasons to do it.
A previous guest here on theFuzzy Mike, hopefully you've
listened to or watched myconversation with Bobby Sexton
because it's so informative andempowering and it's one of my
all-time favorite conversations.
Coach Bobby said two thingsthat have stayed with me since
he said them.
What is the difference betweenour mindset as what I'm going to
(05:59):
say athletic mortals andprofessional athletes?
Athletic immortals.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
The biggest difference is when they make a
decision to do something, it'sdone.
There's no variation, there'sno going back.
You know, if it's, I'm going towork out six days a week at
four o'clock in the morning.
They're going to work out sixdays a week at four o'clock in
the morning.
They're not going to wake up,and you know I'm too tired today
(06:26):
.
Roll back over it's done.
Their, their, their mind isit's done.
Their mind is so focused thatthere's no variation once they
make their mind up to dosomething.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
For the past two weeks I've been living exactly
what Bobby said.
I've made a commitment that I'mgoing to follow a running
schedule and there's no wavering.
Once I'm committed, it's a donedeal.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
The brain wanting to be comfortable at all times, it
also resists positive change.
Oh, because even positivechange is change.
Yes, so you know, if you'vebeen doing something and it's
uncomfortable, but your brainhas gotten comfortable with it,
(07:19):
your brain doesn't want tochange that, so it says no, back
off.
And you know, what I try tohelp people understand is, if
you're, if you're focused, youcan actually use that to your
advantage.
You know, in tricking the brainto helping it understand that,
(07:40):
you know what you're trying toaccomplish is not the negative,
it's the positive, it's thecomfortable.
And once you get to a pointwhen you work that enough, you
can be successful with it, andthen the brain starts to help
you change yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
If I wake up and I say, oh, I got to run, then I'm
not real enthused about it.
But if I wake up and I say, oh,I get to run, that's Exactly
Okay.
So it is just as simple as that.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Then it is.
If you're consistent with that,I mean, it becomes automatic.
Wow, running doesn't become achore anymore, running becomes a
treat, and your brain sees itthat way.
And once you get the brainseeing it that way, your brain
says no, you got to run, youhave to run, you know, if you
(08:32):
don't run, I'm not comfortable.
And that's, that's the goalultimately.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
And it hasn't taken long at all for my mind to crave
the activity.
It's Monday as I record thisand Monday according to my
schedule.
Now is my day off fromeverything no running, no
walking, no biking, no liftingweights, nothing.
And my body and mind right noware asking me what's going on.
(09:00):
I am sitting here wanting tostart and dreading sitting here,
and that's my message to youthis week If you're having a low
point and need the cobwebscleared, just start.
I know I totally understandit's hard to do.
Know I totally understand it'shard to do, but after you start
(09:24):
it gets easier.
Take it from Todd Tuttle Naturetherapy provides so much
benefit, from a definite mentalaspect to even a possible
physical transformation,depending on your activity
decision, that will alsopositively affect your mind.
So go for a walk, maybe a jog,tend to a garden, go birding or
(09:45):
try your hand at floriographyand seek out different flowers
to identify.
Let Mother Nature nurture yourmental well-being.
Thank you for listening orwatching on YouTube For the
entire conversation with Toddwhile he's on the Appalachian
Trail.
Listen to this week's newepisode of the Tuttle Cline
podcast.
Here's an activity you caneasily do that will help boost
(10:08):
my self-esteem and mood.
Give the Fuzzy Mic a ratingcomment, like, follow or
subscribe and share the podcastwith family, friends and even
enemies.
To stay connected with theFuzzy Mic, you can follow me on
Instagram, facebook and Twitter,or send me an email at
thefuzzymike M-I-C at gmailcom.
(10:28):
The Fuzzy Mike is hosted andproduced by Kevin Kline.
Production elements by ZachSheish at the Radio Farm.
Social media director is TrishKline.
I'll be back next Tuesday witha new episode of the Fuzzy Mike,
where we're going to talk aboutexternal worth and validation
with an expert guest.
So grateful for you, thank you.
That's it for the Fuzzy Mike.
(10:49):
Thank you.
The Fuzzy Mike with Kevin Kline.
Welcome to the Fuzzy Mike, the interview series, the
podcast, whatever Kevin wants tocall it.
It's Fuzzy Mike.
Hello and thank you for joiningme on the Fuzzy Mike where we
give you entertaining andhelpful conversation on mental
health navigation.
I'm your host, kevin Kline, onthe Tuttle Kline podcast, the
podcast I co-host with mylongtime radio partner, Tim
(00:22):
Tuttle, where we give you newepisodes every Wednesday.
We spoke with Tim's brother,todd Tuttle, retired US Army
colonel See Todd's two monthsinto a six-month hike on the
Appalachian Trail.
He's doing it for WarriorsExpedition.
Todd has covered 550 of thenearly 2,200 miles of the trail.
(00:43):
He started in Georgia.
He's gone through Georgia,north Carolina and Tennessee.
He's now in Virginia and Todd'sdoing it along with nine other
hikers as part of WarriorsExpedition.
It's a veteran nonprofitoutdoor therapy program that
helps veterans transition fromtheir wartime experiences
through long-distance outdoorexpedition.
(01:04):
During the expedition, veteranshave the opportunity to
decompress from their militaryservice and come to terms with
their wartime experiences.
So we asked Todd when he was onwith us the other day if what
he's experienced so far has hadthe impact on his mental healing
that he hoped it would have forthis massive undertaking.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Oh yeah, there's no doubt that the what you get out
of long term exposure withnature, or what they call nature
therapy, I could definitelytell a difference with me.
And they say it really doesn'tclick until about a thousand
mile mark.
Uh, but yeah, you know, theother veterans are doing great.
(01:46):
Um, since I, you know, saw themat the start, you know, almost
two months ago, uh, we crosspaths all the time.
Uh, I've been with one guy inparticular Papa Smurf is his
trail name and uh, he isdefinitely coming along.
You know, physically we're allgetting better too, obviously
losing weight, getting stronger,doing that.
(02:08):
But emotional and mental healthAwesome, there's nothing better
than being out in nature?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
That's the second question that my psychiatrist
asks me when I see him on myregular visit how active are you
?
We've long discussed thebenefits of physical activity,
how it's the most affordable andnatural way to curb mental
struggles.
It's what I call clearing thecobwebs.
You don't have to do somethingas big as what Todd is doing.
(02:36):
You don't have to run like I do.
All you have to do is findsomething physical whether it's
walking, biking, gardening,anything that gets you moving,
and you'll be amazed at howdifferent you feel.
Listen, I hate starting.
It's the worst part of anythingfor me.
In our case here, since we'retalking about physical activity,
(02:59):
and long distance running is mymethod of mental clarity
movement I'm going to equate itto that.
Starting is difficult for me forso many reasons.
First and foremost, I'd rathersleep in, but once I get up,
though, I have to prepare mygear and body.
I fill my hydration bladder,put on my Trailtoes anti-chafing
(03:21):
and blister prevention cream.
I swear by this stuff.
I put it on my feet, I put itunder my arms, I put it between
my legs, my groin area, a littlebit in the backside.
If you know what I mean, younever know where you're going to
chafe, when you're running 20miles plus at a time.
Then I cover my nipples withthose little circular band-aids,
I spray 100 SPF sunscreen on myneck and my arms, I put the
(03:45):
similar amount on my nose with acream, then I warm up and
stretch, because I'm old now,and then I go outside in the
heat and I see that hill that'swaiting for me because we live
at the bottom.
So every run starts uphill, andthose are the immediate
detriments to starting.
(04:05):
It's about 45 minutes where Ican talk myself out of running.
But once I put those nip coverson, I have to run because I
don't like wasting them, and ifI put them on only to take them
off without running, that's awaste.
So now I've started.
But there's more starting thatstare at me in the face, the
(04:26):
starting of a new routine.
How many days can I stick withthis?
But to motivate me further, youknow, as if my own mental
clarity and mental health isn'tenough to motivate me, I sign up
for a race or I think of somerunning feat I could do.
That would give me a goal towork towards.
So now I've started a countdownto a specific date.
(04:47):
But here's the thing Once Istart, it becomes easier.
After my first mile, it's stillshorter to turn around and go
back one mile than it is tofinish the remaining 13.
But here's what I say to myselfKev, you're already in it.
You might as well finish it.
Suddenly, I'm relaxed, I'mtaking in my surroundings, I'm
(05:12):
looking for wildlife, deer,squirrels, turtles, snakes and
I'm appreciating the flowingwater in the river beside me.
Now, 13 more miles is a treat.
It's no longer a chore.
This is where the healing andmental health progress begins,
because I let go of all thereasons not to do something and
(05:36):
can now consume all of thereasons to do it.
A previous guest here on theFuzzy Mike, hopefully you've
listened to or watched myconversation with Bobby Sexton
because it's so informative andempowering and it's one of my
all-time favorite conversations.
Coach Bobby said two thingsthat have stayed with me since
he said them.
What is the difference betweenour mindset as what I'm going to
(05:59):
say athletic mortals andprofessional athletes?
Athletic immortals.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
The biggest difference is when they make a
decision to do something, it'sdone.
There's no variation, there'sno going back.
You know, if it's, I'm going towork out six days a week at
four o'clock in the morning.
They're going to work out sixdays a week at four o'clock in
the morning.
They're not going to wake up,and you know I'm too tired today
(06:26):
.
Roll back over it's done.
Their, their, their mind isit's done.
Their mind is so focused thatthere's no variation once they
make their mind up to dosomething.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
For the past two weeks I've been living exactly
what Bobby said.
I've made a commitment that I'mgoing to follow a running
schedule and there's no wavering.
Once I'm committed, it's a donedeal.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
The brain wanting to be comfortable at all times, it
also resists positive change.
Oh, because even positivechange is change.
Yes, so you know, if you'vebeen doing something and it's
uncomfortable, but your brainhas gotten comfortable with it,
(07:19):
your brain doesn't want tochange that, so it says no, back
off.
And you know, what I try tohelp people understand is, if
you're, if you're focused, youcan actually use that to your
advantage.
You know, in tricking the brainto helping it understand that,
(07:40):
you know what you're trying toaccomplish is not the negative,
it's the positive, it's thecomfortable.
And once you get to a pointwhen you work that enough, you
can be successful with it, andthen the brain starts to help
you change yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
If I wake up and I say, oh, I got to run, then I'm
not real enthused about it.
But if I wake up and I say, oh,I get to run, that's Exactly
Okay.
So it is just as simple as that.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Then it is.
If you're consistent with that,I mean, it becomes automatic.
Wow, running doesn't become achore anymore, running becomes a
treat, and your brain sees itthat way.
And once you get the brainseeing it that way, your brain
says no, you got to run, youhave to run, you know, if you
(08:32):
don't run, I'm not comfortable.
And that's, that's the goalultimately.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
And it hasn't taken long at all for my mind to crave
the activity.
It's Monday as I record thisand Monday according to my
schedule.
Now is my day off fromeverything no running, no
walking, no biking, no liftingweights, nothing.
And my body and mind right noware asking me what's going on.
(09:00):
I am sitting here wanting tostart and dreading sitting here,
and that's my message to youthis week If you're having a low
point and need the cobwebscleared, just start.
I know I totally understandit's hard to do.
Know I totally understand it'shard to do, but after you start
(09:24):
it gets easier.
Take it from Todd Tuttle Naturetherapy provides so much
benefit, from a definite mentalaspect to even a possible
physical transformation,depending on your activity
decision, that will alsopositively affect your mind.
So go for a walk, maybe a jog,tend to a garden, go birding or
(09:45):
try your hand at floriographyand seek out different flowers
to identify.
Let Mother Nature nurture yourmental well-being.
Thank you for listening orwatching on YouTube For the
entire conversation with Toddwhile he's on the Appalachian
Trail.
Listen to this week's newepisode of the Tuttle Cline
podcast.
Here's an activity you caneasily do that will help boost
(10:08):
my self-esteem and mood.
Give the Fuzzy Mic a ratingcomment, like, follow or
subscribe and share the podcastwith family, friends and even
enemies.
To stay connected with theFuzzy Mic, you can follow me on
Instagram, facebook and Twitter,or send me an email at
thefuzzymike M-I-C at gmailcom.
(10:28):
The Fuzzy Mike is hosted andproduced by Kevin Kline.
Production elements by ZachSheish at the Radio Farm.
Social media director is TrishKline.
I'll be back next Tuesday witha new episode of the Fuzzy Mike,
where we're going to talk aboutexternal worth and validation
with an expert guest.
So grateful for you, thank you.
That's it for the Fuzzy Mike.
(10:49):
Thank you.
The Fuzzy Mike with Kevin Kline.
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