What will change in you?

One of the most interesting bits of feedback we get is from clients habitually telling us that participating in our treks that take them into such pure and isolated environments allows them the opportunity to break habits.

But one of the most interesting habits we see broken early on any track is that we are governed by watches in regards to eating. We habitually chose to allow a watch tell us when we are hungry. It is 12 o'clock... time for lunch! However the further the trek goes the more this habit becomes obsolete and participants break that habit and chose to eat when they are hungry. Our habits that are normally triggered by cues are challenged. Even though it maybe 7:30pm, I am tired and will now sleep instead of waiting until 11pm to go asleep.

In our secure environments, it is very hard to break those habits because habits are easy, automatic and rewarding.  This is all very interesting especially when dealing with teenagers, the facilitator/educator needs to be able to understand the triggers that precede certain behaviors and have the ability, along with the client, to define the behavior that they want to change. The key than becomes the consequences or outcomes that follow that behavior.

Our treks and their isolation offer the opportunity to understand and breakdown environments and cues that triggers habitual behavior. For example a teenager might be mixing with the wrong group of trouble makers. By walking the track it allows them the opportunity to think about those cues ( i.e. every time I’m with them I get in trouble).  As a result of this “classroom” they then have the ability and opportunity to replace those thoughts and habits from forming patterns. 

When faced with a passionate presentation of the history that has occurred on the track before them reinforced with the simplistic lifestyle and supportive manner of the people that live there, it soon puts life in perspective. It's not unusual to see trekkers who suffer a hectic lifestyle aided by medication, to assess where they are in life and make strategic decisions that have resulted in positive life and health changes upon return.

It truly is more than just a walk!!!