In this episode we welcome Wes Alford, founder of the nonprofit Hiking for Hope. Wes shares about his childhood growing up in Oregon on a farm raising livestock and training horses. Wes reflects on how most of his adolescence was spent involved with the court and juvenile system in Oregon until he enlisted in the Army at 18. Participation in the Job Corps led to his first job at a collection agency, which was the beginning of his career in finance. A move to Arizona offered him an opportunity in the mortgage industry in addition to getting married and starting a family. After divorcing he stepped onto the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time and had a completely life changing experience. Wes started the trail as an alcoholic and smoker, in addition to being overweight. He ended his hike 65 pounds lighter and hasn’t touched alcohol or smoked since. That experience was part of the inspiration behind Hiking for Hope. The other inspiration came from two of his children being diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes, which led to Hiking for Hope’s mission. Wes has a 12,000 mile hike in America planned to spread Diabetes and mental health awareness. Wes and his two sons started the hike in March 2025 and had a very eventful month that included getting hit with such a bad storm that Search and Rescue was called, his sons having to return home early, Wes continuing the hike solo but suffering an accident that resulted in two torn rotator cuffs and some of his teeth getting knocked out, and finally, Wes unknowingly suffering a heart attack for about 6 days on trail. He plans on picking back up on the hike in early 2026. Wes also shares his ultimate goal of being able to take underserved individuals onto the Pacific Crest Trail to have their own unique and life changing experience. We were so inspired by Wes’s story, and how he not only broke the cycle of generational trauma with his own four children, but how he transformed his life into something so meaningful.
Check Out Hiking for Hope Here:
www.hikingforhope.com
https://hikingforhope.com/merchandise
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hikingforhope2025?si=eXH59y-CeB3eoFel
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Family Background
04:21 Childhood
05:21 Farm Life, Raising Livestock and Training Horses
11:04 Working for a Collection Agency
15:49 The Juvenile System and The Court System
34:19 The Importance of Structure and Discipline in Raising Children
42:34 Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma
44:53 Enlisting in the Military
49:33 Participating in the Job Corps Program After the Military
59:15 Moving to Arizona and Establishing a Career in Finance
01:03:14 The Rise of the HELP Program: Innovating in Mortgages
01:12:15 Navigating the Housing Crash: Challenges and Resilience
01:19:52 Consulting in Collections: Building New Ventures
01:20:53 Motivation Behind Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
01:22:14 Getting Married and Starting a Family
01:24:21 Leadership Style and Problem Solving
01:29:18 Children Being Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
01:35:02 Divorce and Shared Custody
01:37:36 Life Changing Experience Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail
01:49:47 Memorable Experiences and Challenges on Trail
01:53:27 Hiking for Diabetes Awareness
01:55:16 Custody Battle and Family Dynamics
02:04:21 Moving Back to Oregon and Being a Single Dad
02:10:25 Launching Hiking for Hope
02:11:25 Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail With Sons
02:20:27 The Call for Help: Emergency Rescue
02:24:15 Continuing the Hike Solo
02:28:57 Second Attempt to Hike San Jacinto
02:30:10 Injured and Busting Out Teeth on San Jacinto
02:34:51 Continuing the Hike Injured and Solo
02:40:13 Sudden and Unusual Heartburn and Paranoia While Hiking
02:43:18 Leaving Trail to Go Back to Oregon Due to Health Concerns
02:45:28 The Heart Attack Revelation
02:49:41 Spiritual Awakening
02:53:05 Getting Back on the Trail
02:57:45 Affiliate Partners and Sponsors
02:59:26 Hiking For Hope's Hike Continues
03:03:04 Hiking For Diabetes Awareness and Mental Health Awareness
03:05:52 Giving Underserved People the Opportunity to Hike The Pacific Crest Trail
03:12:26 Comparing The Pacific Crest Trail and The Florida Trail
03:18:03 Health Transformation As a Result of Hiking
03:22:15 Solo Hiking vs Hiking With a Partner or Group
03:28:43 5 Year Vision
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