From the Trailhead: Japan — First Leg of Simplify & Summit™

• 45.03 miles (72 km)

• 28.87 hours

• 16,282 ft (4,962 m)

• 9 days of full hiking

• 25 days on the road

• 14 “homes” — hotels, ryokans, guesthouses, and even a friend’s couch.

Unlimited beautiful views, memories, and moments that will stay forever.

These are the metrics of a successful first leg of deploying Simplify & Summit™ in the real world — and they capture two essential components of the framework:

🧭 Identify Your Goal and 🚶‍♀️ On Track.

Why Japan?

Because nowhere else makes me feel as safe or as easy to navigate — even with language constraints.

And where better to begin a journey of continuous improvement than the country that created the philosophy itself?

My goals were simple and clear:

1️⃣ Climb Mt. Fuji.

2️⃣ Explore the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo.

Not to check off every site in a guidebook or every YouTube recommendation — but to test my system, share it with you, and prepare for the next summit.

🏔️ Simplify & Summit™ in Action

1. System

Color-coded cubes and dry bags make it effortless to know what’s packed where.

I repacked the same way every day — no overthinking, no clutter.

It reminded me of my corporate days: my desk was always minimal, but my laptop was covered in stickers from projects and people. Mobility was freedom then, and it still is now — except this time, I’m carrying all my gear.

Lightweight = freedom.

2. Mindset

Every mile felt like progress.

Because I started injury-free, every day offered a small win.

That’s the secret to resilience — building the habit of daily achievable success.

Your mind learns that success is not an exception; it’s the pattern.

3. Planning

My research said “low season.” Reality said “no vacancies.”

But because I’d studied routes, maps, and transfers, I could pivot with confidence.

Lesson: do your homework. Even when things change, preparation keeps you calm and creative.

4. We

The “We” in We – Community With Purpose is not just branding — it’s truth.

This journey worked because of community:

My friend stored my luggage, rescued me when I was stranded without cash 💰, and reminded me that we never truly summit alone.

Never be alone ❤️ — rely on your people, your team, your community.

And that’s how I achieved my Japan goals and stayed On Track.

The challenges?

That’s another post 😄 — this one’s already long enough.