From Lost Girl to Victorious Woman: My Pain-Free Grand Canyon Hike at 62

When I first arrived at the Grand Canyon this trip, the skies were clear. But almost as if to welcome me, a summer thunderstorm rolled in. The clouds darkened, lightning streaked the sky, and thunder rolled across the rim — each strike followed by a chorus of “ahhs” from those gathered nearby. For a brief moment, hail pelted the ground as I stood at my rim view room under the overhang. Later as I was walking the rim, the clouds parted, and a rainbow stretched across the canyon walls. As the sun set, golden light outlined my hair like a crown.

It felt like a victory ceremony — nature itself celebrating what I had fought so hard to reclaim. Years ago, I couldn’t have imagined myself here, my 5th hike into the canyon, keeping 100 pounds off, pain-free, vibrant at 62.

Back then, I was the lost girl — weighing 225 pounds, friendless, plain, unhappy. Invisible. I lived with depression, prediabetes, constant fatigue, and developed knee pain so severe that when I first hiked into the canyon 10 years ago, I hobbled every step. I didn’t understand then that my health was breaking down. Like you, I just thought pain was just part of aging.

But slowly over the last 10 years, everything changed. Through my holistic low carb lifestyle I created my Holistic Low Carb Method and my Metabolic Reset Process, I learned how to lose weight naturally, reduce inflammation, correct my hormones, balance minerals, restore energy, and heal my body from the inside out. My muscles continue to grow stronger. My recovery got quicker. And for the first time, I have the confidence to believe my body wasn’t broken — it was rebuilding.

Now when I come to the Grand Canyon, it isn’t just a hike. It’s a celebration of how strong I can be, how powerfully I can fuel, and how alive I feel when my body moves pain-free. It feels like dancing. It has become exhilarating and I love every step into and out of the canyon.

The Sunset Crown

The Rim Walk and the Sunset Crown

That first evening, after checking in, I did what I always do: I eagerly went straight to the rim. It’s my tradition — my way of arriving, of grounding myself in this canyon that has been my teacher and healer for over a decade. I always hope to catch sight of a condor, wings stretched wide over the cliffs. Being here feels like coming home.

The skies were clear at first, but soon clouds began to gather, building into a summer thunderstorm. Lightning flashed across the canyon and thunder echoed from wall to wall. Around me, people gasped and exclaimed in awe — the kind of collective “ahh” you only hear when nature performs its rawest beauty. For a moment, hail pelted down, sharp and fleeting, before the storm broke open to a rainbow arcing across the vast expanse.

As the storm cleared, I began walking east along the Rim Trail — four miles to Yavapai Visitor Center. The air was cool and fresh, the canyon deepening in color with every passing minute. On the 4 miles back, the sun dropped lower, painting the cliffs in gold, crimson, and lavender.

By the time I was nearing Bright Angel again, near sunset point, the sunset crowned me — literally. The golden light outlined my hair, glowing like a halo. I felt victorious, crowned not by people, but by nature itself, as if the canyon was celebrating me. It was exhilarating and I felt joy and peace in my life.

Later, when I shared a reel of this moment, my friend on her own healing journey wrote to me. We had once stood here together, she healing from cancer, me from obesity & prediabetes, and seeing my reel gave her chills. She remembered her moment of being in this very magical moment at sunset, and now she connected it to mine. It never gets old.

That evening walk was more than just a stretch of my legs. It was a victory lap, a prayer of gratitude, and a reminder of how far I’ve come — from the lost girl who once felt plain and invisible, to the woman who now feels radiant, strong, and fully alive.

Acclimating Before the Big Hike

I always plan an extra day before a long Grand Canyon trek — to acclimate, breathe in the elevation, and let my body settle. To experience the joy of arriving. That first morning, at 5:30 am, I woke up, rested, brewed my coffee, and stepped outside to the patio of my rim-view room to watch the dawn light up with the sun. The Adirondack chairs sat right in the dirt, so I slipped off my shoes and grounded myself as the sky began to shift–another first for me. Beside me, a new friend from the neighboring room joined about the same time with her camera and together we watched the sun rise over the canyon. It was one of those rare moments you savor fully — silence, beauty, connection, and the soft glow of a new day.

Later, I set out for a short, but steep 1.5-mile hike down Bright Angel Trail. Ten years ago, this very stretch brought me excruciating knee pain. Every step felt impossible back then. But today, I moved with ease — even jogging a few parts, strong and sure-footed in my Xero barefoot boots.

At the junction, I sat for a while to simply take it all in — the red canyon walls, the endless blue sky, and the sunlight pouring over the trail. These are the very colors that inspired my brand: orange, yellow, and turquoise, born from the canyon itself. While recording a video, as I sat there, a squirrel darted across my feet while hikers passed by, and I smiled at how natural it felt — as if I belonged here. I wore my orange heart necklace and matching ring, the same color as the rock, of orange canyons and of Sedona. For me, they are more than jewelry; they are symbols of my journey, of hope, and of the success I’ve created in aging adventurously.

It was here I pulled out my phone and made a couple of short videos, hoping to capture the message and the magic of the moment. This place isn’t just a destination for me. It’s coming home. And I wanted that message to resonate to other women who need to take back control of their health to live freely as I am doing.

That warm-up hike set the tone. My legs felt alive, my body primed, and my spirit ready. The Grand Canyon wasn’t going to break me. I had come to meet it with strength, and to celebrate the woman I have become.

As I hiked vigorously up from 1-½ mile rest stop, I met a young 40 something gentleman on his first hike here. As we talked he mentioned he had just started keto and was losing weight. We exchanged names and I mentioned he could follow me on social media as I started to move ahead. He called out–”hey what’s your name again, I can’t keep up with your pace?” This has become full circle for me. Here I am now easily hiking uphill which for most people is considered hard. It was another milestone for me. And I realized that the goal of wanting to hike well on this trail 10 years ago when a 70 year old lady with legs of a 40 year old passed me has come to fruition. It had become my goal and I am attaining it.

Soon the rain came in yet still I walked. This time through the forest to the general store to explore and be outside. The rain was heavy but cleared within two hours and the sky parted for the rest of the day and I found myself taking the Tram to Yaki point to try and see the Raptors. I stayed here for over 30 minutes on a stone bluff that overlooked the South Kaibab trail I would be hiking down tomorrow.

Preparing for the Big Day

The next morning began early; I had prepped what I would need and wear the night before. My backpack was ready, my Runner’s belt was ready with supplies, supplements and mineral water laid out and ready, cold coffee for the trail ready. I woke at 4:30 a.m. in my rim room at Bright Angel Lodge, excited and ready. I made one cup of hot coffee. By 5:30, I was at the front of the lodge, about to call a taxi to the South Kaibab trailhead when a nearby group offered me a ride in their van. Just like that, I had new friends to start the day with. Mary, one of the young women, snapped a photo of me at Ooh Aah Point — and later marveled at how I nimbly climbed onto a rock near the edge without hesitation. “How old are you?” she asked, surprised. I’d hear that question more than once that day!

As a solo hiker, I always feel at home here. And yet, I’m never truly alone. The trail is full of fellow adventurers, each on their own journey, yet all connected by the canyon. The smiles and happiness as we make our way past Ooh Ahh point to Cedar Ridge feels tangible and fuels me forward.

I was layered up against the chill, but quickly stripped down two layers by Cedar Ridge. My Xero barefoot boots on my feet — one of my best secrets for hiking pain-free. They kept me grounded, steady, and strong. At Tip Off, I passed a woman who had twisted her ankle in her cushioned shoes, and I silently thanked my own foot wear choice again. Funny enough, a friend of mine who had planned to hike with me this year (but couldn’t make it) had bought her first pair of Xeros on my and my friends recommendation. The right gear makes a difference.

Packed into my runner’s belt and pack:

Fuel: three Keto Bricks (though I’d only eat one), UltraFat packets, and electrolytes.
Hydration: 2 LMNT water bottles, and 2 extra water bottles because I was going to the river before filling my Camelback up which had 3 litters of salt water and potassium. One of the extra water bottles would be for coffee and electrolytes at Indian Gardens.
Supplements: Perfect Aminos and creatine in my morning coffee as well as supplements for along the way which I carry in my Runners Belt.
Essentials: hiking poles, several hats, rain poncho, and layers for the ever-changing canyon weather.

This wasn’t just gear. It was the proof of years of experimenting, learning, and healing.

The Descent and the New Trail

We started down South Kaibab, the air fresh from yesterday’s rain, but sunny. I reached Cedar Ridge, shed a layer, and moved on ahead of the group. Skeleton Point appeared in the distance, and soon I arrived at Tip Off — 4.4 miles in. Normally the trail would continue straight down, but the South Kaibab beyond was closed. Today, we’d all take the Tonto West Trail.

It was new for me & the others, and exhilarating. Wide canyon views, river crossings, and narrow stretches skirting the edges of cliffs. At one point, I stumbled on loose rocks behind two young women. They laughed and said, “We’ll save you if you fall.” We exchanged names. Later, when we reunited at the river, they told me they’d been worried about me when I disappeared from view — and were so relieved to see me well. I smiled. Even as a veteran hiker, I sometimes forget how different I must look compared to how I feel: strong, prepared, steady. But we are not alone in the canyon and friends are made on the trail.

The Tonto was adventure at its finest: new, challenging in the unknown, but breathtaking. It wasn’t hot though sunny and I could still feel a cool breeze as it was still early morning.

I felt exciting to reach the Bright Angel Trail head. Most people were concerned about running out of water so turned left to Indian Gardens to refill. I turned right eagerly as I was prepared. I had enough water and more and I was headed for the river! I remember this path with clarity as 10 years ago it was excruciatingly painful to walk along the cobbled stones that line the canyon along the creek here. It felt good to know I can now walk this pain free and easily.

As I approached the steep downhill section, a couple of very young men just ahead of me exclaimed, “What’s that?!” “That’s the Corkscrew,” I said thinking they didn’t study the trail in advance. It always looks daunting–but this trail has become familiar like a friend. This is a beautiful and peaceful area of the canyon and I have many memories of it. I have mastered this Corkscrew trail and can embrace the challenge with excitement.

At the River

By 11:08, I arrived at Pipe Creek Beach (less than 5-½ hours from the SK trailhead and 10 miles in). I found a spot in the shade on a rock and took my boots off for the first time ever at the Colorado river. The sand felt like silk under my feet, the Colorado River cool and refreshing. I moved to a rock at the river, ate one of my Keto Bricks, and sipped LMNT water. I sat there with my feet in the river and let the peace and joy of accomplishment sink in. Only 1% of visitors hike inside the canyon to this river — and here I was, stronger than ever, feeling the joy of this endeavor. I could feel this from other hikers around me as well–friends of the canyon on this day.

I rested for 40 minutes before lacing up again for the climb out. This was my 5th time hiking to this river but the first time putting my feet into the Colorado because the trail beyond was closed. Moments like this feel perfectly aligned.

The Climb

I took my tank top off and got it wet at the creek to stay cool for the Corkscrew hike up, but then the clouds rolled in as I left the river. The climb up the Corkscrew was relatively easy this time and no heat from the sun so quicker than my usual time. The Corkscrew hike seemed uneventful and relatively easy, stopping only briefly to catch my breath. By the time I reached Indian Gardens, rain started to fall. I pulled on my poncho, refilled water, mixed an electrolyte coffee, drank it quickly and pressed on. For 30 minutes, wind whipped and heavy rain blurred my vision until all I could see were my feet moving forward as red muddy water puddled the trail ahead.

But soon the storm passed. By Three Mile Resthouse, the sky had cleared. I drank more electrolytes, downed an UltraFat packet, and kept moving strong. At both 3-mile and 1.5-mile stops, I fueled with Ketone IQ — the same mitochondrial fuel I’d tested during my half marathon in Glacier. Once again, it powered me uphill with steady muscle strength.

Along the way, I met two younger women struggling with tendon & muscle pain. I offered ibuprofen and an UltraFat, then shared my secret: low-carb living and Perfect Aminos to rebuild muscle, ligaments, and tendons. “How old are you?” they asked, surprised as I hiked on ahead.

By 4:45 p.m., I crested the rim — just 11 hours after starting, including all my rests. My best time yet for a 20-mile Grand Canyon hike.

At the top, a large group that had already finished the hike rang cowbells for each hiker who emerged. When the bells rang for me, I grinned from ear to ear. Victorious. I wasn’t even exhausted; how sweet was the finish of this hike.

Recovery and Reflection

Back in my rim room, I immediately drank Perfect Aminos to rebuild muscle and pulled on warm clothes against the chill which I hadn’t felt till I was still. Sitting in the wooden chairs overlooking the canyon, I let it all sink in. My body was strong. My recovery was quicker than ever — only mild stiffness the next morning, gone within 15 minutes. Two years prior, recovery took a couple of days.

Ten years ago, this hike left me limping, broken, in pain. Today, it crowned me victorious, strong, free, and fully alive.

Your Turn

The Grand Canyon isn’t just my adventure. It’s my teacher, my proving ground, and my mirror. Every time I hike here, I see who I’ve become: a woman who cracked the code on weight loss in menopause, healed her body, and reclaimed the 2nd half of her life–Victorious.

This is what I help other women do with my Holistic Low Carb Method and Metabolic Reset Process. Not just lose weight — but heal, strengthen, and thrive. This is Aging Adventurously!

If you’re ready to claim your own victory, to age young and adventurously, and to leave pain behind — now is your time.

Your crown is waiting.