Couch to Peaks

Hi there! I’m Linda. Welcome to Couch to Peaks.

I like to say I’m a couch potato turned peak bagger… who slid back to couch again, and is now on her way back to the peaks.

I grew up a lifelong sedentary city dweller. In 2015, I caught the hiking bug almost by accident. A year later, I went on my first backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park and have not stopped planning my next adventure since.

From 2017–2020, I was in the best shape of my life: backpacking 3–5 times a year and regularly summiting 14,000-foot peaks.

Then the pandemic hit. Like many of us, I coped with stress and isolation by staying inside, eating more, and moving less. The weight crept on. Trails that used to feel easy became a struggle. I started avoiding hard hikes… then easier ones… and before I knew it, I was back to full couch potato status.

In my 40s, I’ve discovered that “just getting back into shape” is not as simple as it used to be. My body feels different. Recovery takes longer. Pushing through isn’t always wise. And losing hiking — my main way of caring for my mental health — made everything feel a little heavier.

Maybe some of this sounds familiar:

• You scroll past old summit photos and think, “I really need to get back into hiking shape…”
• You remember a version of yourself who felt stronger, more adventurous, more alive.
• Or you’ve never been a hiker, but you’re tired of feeling stuck indoors and stuck in your head.

If so, you’re exactly who I’m writing and filming for.

Why I started Couch to Peaks

I created Couch to Peaks for two reasons:

1. Motivation & accountability for myself. This space is my way of committing to movement again. Slowly, gently, and sustainably. In 2026, I’m doing a 12-hike “Couch to Peaks reset” and documenting what it actually looks like to go from out of shape and overthinking to feeling strong and at home on the trail again.
2. Companionship for other people on the same path. I know I’m not the only one who’s fallen out of shape, lost momentum, or is starting from scratch. Whether you used to crush big mountains or you’re just now discovering hiking, I want this to feel like a place where it’s never too late to start a new adventure, or return to your old self again.

What you’ll find here

On the blog and my YouTube channel, I share:

• Hiking, multi-day treks and backpacking trip reports – from local SoCal trails to long-distance routes in places like Japan and the Eastern Sierra
• Training hikes & beginner-friendly guides – realistic routes to rebuild fitness without wrecking your body
• Simple, healthy recipes – trail food and everyday meals that actually fit a busy life
• Trail reflections & personal essays – honest notes from the inner journey of starting over

I’m using the same gradual, thoughtful approach that once helped me get into “mountain shape” for those 14K peaks — this time adapted for a 40-something body, a calmer nervous system, and a more integrated life.

An invitation to join me

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a “couch season” if that’s what your life needs right now. Rest is part of the cycle.

But if you’re feeling that quiet tug to move again — to get outside more, to feel your legs work, to breathe real air and see real views — I’d love for you to walk this next chapter with me.

Here are a few ways to plug in:

• Trail Notes newsletter – reflections from the trail and beyond (plus behind-the-scenes of my 12-hike reset).
• YouTube channel – cinematic hikes, guides, and my Couch to Peaks transformation series.
• 7-day Couch to Peaks Jumpstart (coming soon) – a free email mini-guide to help you plan your first few beginner-friendly hikes and start moving again, one small step at a time.

One of the most powerful first steps toward change is simply declaring your intention.

So here’s mine: I’m hiking my way back from couch to peaks — gently, calmly, one trail at a time.

If you’re ready to do the same in your own way, I’m glad you’re here. 👣