GenX Adulting Podcast - Episode 51 - GenX Speaks Series: Wes Alford - Hiking for Hope

Name: GenX Adulting Podcast - Episode 51 - GenX Speaks Series: Wes Alford - Hiking for Hope
Uploaded: 2025-10-27T00:00:00-04:00
Duration: 3 h 32 min 48 s
Description: In Episode 51 of the GenX Speaks Series, Wes Alford shares his transformative journey of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes. He discusses his upbringing, struggles with addiction, and how the hike changed his life, ultimately leading him to create Hiking for Hope, a nonprofit aimed at supporting diabetes research.

Episode Summary

In Episode 51 of the GenX Speaks Series, Wes Alford shares his transformative journey of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes. He discusses his upbringing, struggles with addiction, and how the hike changed his life, ultimately leading him to create Hiking for Hope, a nonprofit aimed at supporting diabetes research.

Key Takeaways

Wes was born in 1967 and grew up in a large blended family in Oregon.
He had a challenging childhood, including time spent in a boys' home and living with a police officer.
Wes struggled with alcoholism and smoking for years before hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
The hike helped him lose weight, quit drinking and smoking, and transform his life.
He decided to hike for diabetes awareness after his son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Wes founded Hiking for Hope to support diabetes research and awareness.
His experiences highlight the importance of resilience and the impact of nature on mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired Wes to hike the Pacific Crest Trail?

Wes was inspired to hike the Pacific Crest Trail after watching the movie 'Wild' and wanted to undertake a personal journey of transformation.

How did Wes's hike impact his life?

The hike helped Wes lose 70 pounds, quit drinking and smoking, and ultimately led him to create Hiking for Hope, a nonprofit for diabetes awareness.

What is Hiking for Hope?

Hiking for Hope is a nonprofit organization founded by Wes Alford to raise awareness and support for juvenile diabetes research.

What challenges did Wes face during his hike?

Wes faced physical challenges due to his weight and addiction, but he overcame them through determination and the support of nature.

How did Wes's family situation influence his journey?

Wes's experiences with his children, particularly their struggles with diabetes, motivated him to raise awareness and support for the cause through his hike.

Part of these Topics: Addiction & Recovery, Military & Veteran Life, Health, Wellness & Chronic Illness

Featured guests: Wes Alford

Read the full transcript →

Description

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hikingforhope2025?_t=ZT-90HbfV4fG4d&_r=1

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hikingforhope2025?igsh=Z3JnZXdjc2d1ZHcw&utm_source=qr

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hikingforhope2025?si=eXH59y-CeB3eoFel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19tmNqngzT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-alford-2597b8177?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Check Us Out Here:

https://genxadultingpodcast.com/

Chapters

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