2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hike for Lemon Bay Wrestling

On March 22nd of 2021, I will be attempting to do a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I will start in Georgia, at Springer Mountain, and walk roughly 2,200 miles through 14 states, ending at Mt. Katahdin, in Maine. I am a wrestling coach at Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Florida, and each year with my wrestlers, some new and some old, I try to inspire, mentor, and encourage them to be more than they thought they could be. I preach toughness and discipline, through love and hard work, and I get them to set their expectations high.  I have always lead by example.  I DO THE WORK WITH THEM!  They see me as a 51-year-old doing the work, and I believe this is the best way to reach them and get their best. But I have to listen to my own words!  I still am young and healthy and should be setting goals for myself just like my wrestlers.  I have to practice what I preach! What better way to do so than to do something difficult! If I am going to tell my kids to get tough, then I should show them myself.  Walking the Appalachian Trail has been a Bucket List item for me for most of my life.  So, I am going to take on this adventure and do so by raising money for our wrestling program. Please join me on this thru-hike, and make a pledge, and help me raise money for Lemon Bay Wrestling.  100% of what is raised will go right back to our kids, for camps, gear, travel, etc.  I am setting a goal of $25,000, and I believe we can blow this out of the park.  I will make it to Mt. Katahdin.  Who will make a pledge, and follow me on this journey?