✍️ Diary of an Author: How a 4-Day Trek Changes Your Life
Surviving the Gringo Killer and finding strength on the Inca Trail.
Happy Sunday! In today’s newsletter, you’ll read about…
✍️ My experience hiking the legendary Inca Trail
☕️ What it means to find inner strength during external challenges
😎 Why intention matters
📖 3-Minute Story: Surviving the Gringo Killer
“Welcome to the Gringo killer,” my tour guide Junior told me and another hiker as we approached the steep set of steps that was one of the final trials before we reached Machu Picchu.
My legs ached, the altitude stole the breath from my lips, and as my gaze dragged over the wall of steps in front of me, I realized —
— I wasn’t going to be able to walk up these steps.
They were so steep I would have to crawl on all fours.
The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day, 3-night trek in Peru. The trail weaves past stunning vistas amidst the towering Andes. From stone mountain passes to lush jungles, hikers from all over the world dream of the day they might walk the legendary path to Machu Picchu.
In that moment, I was on day four. I had fought exhaustion and altitude sickness, battled mosquitos, woken up at 3 or 4am each day to hike for 5-9 hours per day, and here I was, about to face yet another fear: my fear of heights.
A previous version of myself would have shuddered at the wall of steep, slippery stone steps in front of me. Heck, three years ago I was freshly diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and I had been falling down stairs, not climbing them, my joints rebelling against me.
But today, I didn’t hesitate. One ledge. Then the next. Steady now.
In previous years, day hikes had been tough enough. During a hike in 2021 in Washington, I thought I might collapse and not make it thanks to a sneaky iron deficiency that kept me breathless and tired.
Now, as I scaled the Gringo killer on the unforgiving Inca Trail, my hiking poles clutched in one hand, my heavy pack weighing me down, I still had remnants of symptoms of my condition, but I had something stronger —
— I had courage and community.
Four days in the mountains, the jungles — I didn’t do this trek alone. I had friends and my partner Kyle by my side. Friends like Josh who cheered me on when the altitude knocked the wind out of me. Friends like Amelia who made sure I didn’t fall behind on the steep descent on day two. Friends who shared their water when I ran out, shared their coca leaves when I felt dizzy.
I might have started my healing journey feeling alone, but that wasn’t the case anymore.
I reached the top of the Gringo Killer, and was greeted with high-fives from another hiker and from my guide.
“You made it!” he said, with a smile. “Tienes fuerte.” You’re strong.
I smiled, gasping for air. I was.
As we rounded the last bend and joined up with the rest of the group at the Sun Gate, I was struck by the morning light as it hit Machu Picchu far down below.
Tears sprung to my eyes. I had made it.
If you’re going to do a four-day trek like this, you should do it with an intention. A reason.
For me, my reason for this trek was to prove that my autoimmune diagnosis couldn’t hold me back. That I could have both strength and health — no matter what lay ahead.
My reason for doing this trek was to prove to my younger self that her diagnosis wasn’t an end to a life.
Just a new beginning.
✨ 2 Quotes to Inspire You
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller
✍️ 1 Journal Prompt for Reflection
What kind of intention can you set for yourself during hard times? When was the last time you did something physically challenging?
Feel free to share your reflections with other Modern Authors in the comments:
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📸 Photo of the Week: Hello from Machu Picchu 👋
A triumphant moment at one of the wonders of the world.
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🎥 Video of the Week: Month 3 of Growing My Substack to $8k/Month
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⚡️ Upcoming Wednesday Edition: $1M+ Book Launch Secrets
This Wednesday, Diary of an Author paid subscribers will get an exclusive issue about…
✨ What it takes to pull off a multi-million dollar book launch
🧪 How to get an outsized ROI on the most classic type of product: books
📚 The difference between book marketing and author marketing
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy