The short answer is: No.

The 12-Hour Walk is meant to meet you exactly where you’re
at today. It’s not a race. There’s no extra credit handed out for going farther or faster. Listen to your body and take as many breaks as you need throughout the day. The goal isn’t to injure yourself.

It doesn’t matter if you walk one mile or fifty, as long as you set aside the full twelve hours and walk as much as you can while maintaining your silence. Do that and you’ll reap the benefits of completing the Walk.

Will this test you physically? Yes. But as I taught you earlier, the 12-Hour Walk is really about training your mind.

Safety is of the utmost priority on the Walk. 

A few tips:

• Wear brightly colored clothing.
• Bring a headlamp and spare batteries.
• Bring your phone but keep it on airplane mode. Use it only in
  case of emergency.
• Tell a family member or friend your general planned route and
  projected return time.
• Carry some spare cash, just in case.
• Avoid highly trafficked roads with no shoulder.
• Sidewalks and
  trails are the safest options.
• If you’re walking on a road without a sidewalk, walk on the
  left side—if you’re in a country where motorists drive on the right—so you can see oncoming cars. The opposite is true in the UK, Australia, or other left-side-driving countries.

I highly recommend starting from your front door and walking nearby your home. It’s more grounding and will help you implement your Possible Mindset into your daily life.

The 12-Hour Walk is designed to be as accessible as possible. There are no set requirements regarding where you choose to walk. Don’t let waiting to be on a vacation in a picturesque location be the excuse for not putting your Walk on the calendar now.

If you live in a bustling city, that’s okay, the Walk doesn’t require a rural or remote setting. City noise and passing pedestrians don’t negate your personal commitment to solitude and silence. As long as you’re walking alone without actively engaging with others, you’re upholding the guidelines.

This is not required, but highly recommended. I find a small backpack comes in handy for carrying food, water, safety essentials, and extra layers depending on temperature and climate. It’s best to plan ahead and bring what you’ll need with you to remain self-supported for the full 12 hours.

While everyone’s feet are different, the key is to wear comfortable shoes that won’t give you blisters. It’s best to avoid brand new shoes, if possible. I generally recommend a pair of running shoes or light trail shoes that you’ve worn before. If your feet are prone to getting blisters, tape your heels or toes as a preventative measure before setting out. Also, changing into a fresh pair of socks around the halfway point can be a welcome reward and stave off any irritations.

First and foremost, hydration is key and that begins prior to your Walk Day. Make sure you wake up well hydrated and bring electrolytes with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

As for food, it’s important to keep your body fueled throughout the day. It’s best to eat a balanced and healthy breakfast that morning of your Walk. Before a big day, I like to eat things like eggs, oatmeal with berries, fresh fruit, and a plant-based protein smoothie. Stick with foods you know sit well with you; best to avoid anything new. Starting the day off with a healthy breakfast will set you up for success.

During your 12-Hour Walk itself, bring snacks with you to ensure you sustain your energy. I favor snacks like healthy nutrition bars, dried fruits and nuts. It’s better to eat a little bit every forty-five minutes or so, then to eat one large meal in the middle of the day. That said, I like to pack a sandwich as a treat to look forward to at the halfway point. If you’ll be passing by a gas station or a store during the Walk, you can always buy a snack en route in the event you run out. But remember to limit your interactions with others. For this reason, I recommend packing enough food and water for the entire day.

If you’re walking around a city or town, many gas stations, coffee shops or restaurants are reliable places to duck into to use the bathroom. Public parks or trailheads often have restrooms as well. I can’t recommend breaking the law, but I’ve been known to discreetly “nature pee” a time or two in remote or rural environments. Use your best judgment. Since hydration is key to sustaining the full 12 hours, plan on needing to use the bathroom a few times throughout the day and consider this when planning your route. I always tuck a few pieces of toilet paper into my backpack just in case.

The 12-Hour Walk is designed to be taken by yourself. Alone and solo, no exceptions. However, if accountability helps you commit and execute, I highly recommend inviting a friend or family member to walk on the same day as you. You can individually leave from your respective homes on the same day, at the same time, and then at the end of the day you can check in with one another and share your separate experiences. And, throughout the year, I’ll be organizing large group participation Walk days. So, if you want to be among an energetic global community of 12-Hour Walkers, keep an eye out for announcements on the mass participation days. The first one will be September 10th 2022.

I love my furry friends as much as you, but the Walk is meant to be taken alone with no distractions, no responsibilities. Leave your pets at home, they’ll be excited to greet you at the door when you return after completing the 12-Hour Walk.

Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. Just like other mental exercises like meditation, the 12-Hour Walk is an evergreen tool to enhance your mindset. Anytime you need a reset, pick a new date and put the Walk on your calendar. Personally, I like to complete the 12-Hour Walk once per quarter (4 times per year) as a way to remain balanced and continue to strengthen my mind.