The walk on day five was a tipping point for me. It was hard, tough, but at the same time incredibly enlightening. You encounter yourself on a hike like this, but that is exactly what makes it so valuable. In the silence of nature I realized that I often run on autopilot, while there is still so much to discover and refine - both professionally and personally.

One of the biggest insights I've taken away is how I use my network. Previously, I worked a lot with familiar faces, but through this trip I have experienced the value of looking outside your established circle. I regularly call someone from the trip when I need to spar about a business decision. I learned that such a network is not only functional, but also inspiring. That you don't always have to figure out everything yourself, but that it helps tremendously to get a fresh perspective from a like-minded person every now and then.

Now that I am back, I notice that I am more conscious of my time, making sharper choices and using my network much more actively. The conversations and experiences of this trip are working their way into my daily life. I didn't know I needed this so much.