Small steps summit mountains.
Why you need to steer adversity in the eye and make it blink.
Last week, I stood amongst 16 strangers-turned-friends, after designing and leading a 6-day, 5-night trail running experience in the South Island of New Zealand. An idea that had lived in my mind for nearly two years was now breathing, moving, and evolving right in front of me.
A feeling of accomplishment washed over me. You know that feeling when something you've visualised countless times suddenly materialises? It's like watching a Polaroid develop - slowly at first, then all at once. That's exactly what the past week felt like.
18 months prior, I was asked by the crew at Aire Libre to design a trail running experience in New Zealand (Aotearoa) after I shared some trail adventures on my Instagram. Initially, shocked, then honoured, then overwhelmed, I soon got into action, concepting what it could look and feel like.
Some context, Aire Libre’s ethos is to create experiences that move beyond just running trails.
Think less about pace and more about presence. Less about distance, and more about discovery. Aire Libre engages people to craft running and hiking journeys that connect you to something deeper - both in nature and within yourself.
These aren't your typical "smash out the miles" adventures. They're carefully curated experiences where the trails become teachers, and every step has the potential to shift something inside you.
How could I say no? I’m all about new experiences and with new experiences come learnings.
Here's how we flowed through the days:
Day 1: We kicked off in Arrowtown with a gentle 7km hike. Nothing builds community quite like sharing a jet boat ride over Lake Wakatipu, followed by our first family-style dinner at the lodge. Sometimes the best adventures start with a detour.
Day 2: Waking up at Kinloch Lodge to mountain views and morning mobility. A cruisy 7km shake-out run along Lake Wakatipu, with a few brave souls taking the polar plunge. We dove deep into local traditions, creating space for connection beyond the trails.
Day 3: We tackled the Glacier Burn Run- Hike - Run - 14 km with 550m of elevation. Think riverside trails, mountain vistas, and the kind of lunch spots that make you question city living—wrapped it all up with a mindful moment at the top.
Day 4: The Rees Track became our playground - 12km with 350m of elevation gain. By now, our group had found their flow, moving through the landscape like they'd been there forever.
Day 5: The iconic Routeburn Track. A return 17km run, from the Shelter crossing swing bridges, and ending at Routeburn Flats Hut. Every step reveals why this track is world-renowned. It is the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with trail running in the first place.
Day 6: We closed our journey with a final Karakia led by Aaron Kerehoma. It was a moment to reflect, honour the land that held our adventures, and acknowledge how far we'd come—both literally and figuratively.
Upon reflection, here are the raw, unfiltered lessons I'm carrying with me from the trails (and trust me, they go way beyond running):
Put your ideas out there - even if they feel half-baked or "not ready". People are watching, always. That random social post, that casual conversation at a coffee shop - you never know when an opportunity will come knocking. This entire experience started with a "how can I share this" conversation with myself that I finally dared to speak into existence.
Consistency > intensity every single time. Those small, seemingly insignificant steps. They're giant leaps in disguise. Over the past two years, each email sent, conversation had, each trail recced - they all felt tiny in the moment. But looking back it all made perfect sense. Small steps, consistently taken, will always summit mountains.
Build a team with different superpowers from yours. I'm good at some things, average at others, and downright terrible at most. This week showed me the magic that happens when you surrender to others' strengths. Our team had the logistical wizard, the energy-creator, the quiet supporter, and the storyteller. Together, we created something far beyond what any one of us could have achieved alone.
Here's a truth bomb - You will get in your own way. Your mind will play tricks, whisper doubts, and create scenarios that don't exist. The real challenge isn't avoiding these moments; it's learning to grow beyond them and steer them in the eye. You never land at the top of the mountain. You have to work your way up.
Squeeze the life out of every moment. Sometimes, the gruelling uphill battle, the shared struggles, the unexpected detours - they become the memories we cherish most. Sure, the view from the top is spectacular, but you often remember the challenges more than the view.
This experience taught me that the best views aren't always at the summit. Sometimes, they're in the shared glances between teammates, laughs while doing the dishes in the kitchen, quiet moments of doubt overcome, and small victories that string together to create something magnificent.
For those curious about creating their adventures or bringing ideas to life, the mountains aren't going anywhere, but your time to start climbing is now.
Whilst out (trail) running,
Willocks
This is so cool Matt. I especially love your 'consistency > intensity' thoughts.