Life Journey and Personal Growth

The speaker shares their journey from a conventional family background to exploring personal ambitions and career shifts. Influenced by the dot-com era and experiences at Camp Carolina, they realized the importance of fun and adventure. The 9/11 attacks significantly impacted their career path, leading to a focus on personal growth and exploration. Running and nature became central to their philosophy, providing therapy and a sense of connection. The speaker values the challenges and rewards of exploring new places and cultures, emphasizing the importance of feeling alive and making the most of their time.

What profession does the narrator's mother have?

• Doctor

• Teacher

• Lawyer

• Engineer

Where did the narrator's older sister receive her PhD?

• Stanford

• Yale

• MIT

• Harvard

What was the narrator's job during high school summers?

• Stockbroker

• Teacher's assistant

• Intern at Paine Webber

• Camp counselor

What major event affected the narrator's career opportunities?

• The dot-com bubble burst

• The COVID-19 pandemic

• 9/11

• The 2008 financial crisis

What agreement did the narrator have with their parents regarding the Appalachian Trail?

• They could hike if they quit college

• They could hike if they started a business

• They could hike if they got a job afterward

• They could hike if they moved back home

How does the narrator describe their relationship with running?

• As a professional career

• As a social activity

• As a form of therapy

• As a competitive sport

What does the narrator compare their adventure activities to?

• A hobby

• A job

• Therapy

• A competition

How does the narrator feel about being in nature?

• Disconnected

• Lonely

• At home

• Bored

What does the narrator find rewarding about reaching remote places?

• The aesthetic beauty

• The cultural experience

• All of the above

• The physical challenge

What is the narrator's main feeling when exploring nature?

• Fear

• Indifference

• A sense of being alive

• Confusion