APPALACHIAN TRAIL … Katie on the Appalachian trail completing her first ever thru-hike and beginning her journey towards the Triple Crown of hiking.
IRONMAN … Katie crosses the finish line at the Ironman challenge in Tallinn, Estonia.
PHOTOS COURTESY GOWITHFLO.BLOG / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
HIMALAYAS … Katie at Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Katie’s journey is a testament to Ibn Battuta’s famous words: “Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
What began as a leap of faith into the unknown, leaving behind comfort and familiarity to chase adventure, soon became the foundation for a life rich with stories, friendships, and profound discoveries.
From the moment she arrived in Australia, hesitant yet hopeful, through the countless miles she has trekked across continents, Katie has embraced the lessons that only travel can teach.
With each step, each encounter, and each challenge, she has not only explored the world but also uncovered deeper truths about herself and the beauty of human connection.
Beginning her travel journey just six short years ago, Katie set out for Australia after graduation with her best friend Connor despite many doubts.
Settling in a small apartment that once was housing for nuns, Katie and Connor began adjusting to their new surroundings.
She soon landed a job at a nearby coffee shop, where she began forming meaningful connections with a diverse group of people.
Among them were Henry, a fellow traveler from Estonia, and Alex, a neighbor and talented painter who inspired a tattoo as a reminder to embrace the present and not overthink life’s moments.
These early friendships laid the foundation for a life shaped by human connection and shared experiences.
Reflecting on that time, Katie writes, “That first month in Australia showed me how simple life can be. I learned to be happy about the smallest things, that money isn’t everything, and how necessary it is to have meaningful connections with people along the way.”
“It took me a while to fully understand, but after so many similar experiences throughout my travels, it has become clear how these beginning memories in Australia have shaped the way I live my life now.”
“All I truly want now is to chase new experiences and surround myself with beautiful, simple moments and deep connections with humans, just like Henry, Connor, and Alex. Looking back, this was my beginning to trust that The Trail Always Provides.”
Little did Katie know that first leap into the unknown would ignite a lifelong passion for exploration. What began as a journey to Australia soon expanded far beyond its borders, leading her to some of the most challenging and breathtaking trails in the world.”
Among her many accomplishments, Katie or Flo as she is known on the hiking trails has achieved the Triple Crown.
Logging over 8,000 miles, Katie has completed the Appalachian Trail (2,194 miles from Georgia to Maine), the Pacific Crest Trail (2,653 miles from Mexico to Canada), and the Continental Divide Trail (3,028 miles along the Rocky Mountains). Together, these trails span across 22 states, with over 1 million feet of elevation gain.
The trails not only tested Katie’s endurance but also introduced her to unforgettable friendships. Among them was Steve, a hostel owner and fellow wanderer whose stories of India reignited a seed of curiosity that Katie couldn’t ignore.
After sharing his experience of living in India for 18 years, Steve gifted Katie an OM gem, representing the union of the mind, spirit, and body.
She treasured it, wearing it on a necklace gifted to her by her grandmother, until one fateful day when the gem was lost along the rugged path. It felt like more than just a missing keepsake—it was a sign.
Inspired by Steve’s experiences and driven by her own desire for deeper exploration, Katie took the plunge and immediately signed up for Yoga teacher training and was soon on her way to Rishikesh, India.
India was transformative, but Katie’s hunger for adventure didn’t stop there. The towering peaks of Nepal called to her next, where she would spend eight months immersed in the grandeur of the Himalayas.
One of Katie’s most remarkable achievements in Nepal was reaching the summit of Island Peak, towering at 20,226 feet above sea level.
Katie told the Kiwanis Club this was her first climb and the difficulty she had breathing in the higher elevation really surprised her.
She said that the sherpas guiding them would wait, smoking cigarettes, as the fellow climbers stopped to catch their breath.
After pushing her limits in the Himalayas, Katie sought a new challenge. A challenge that demanded not just endurance but sheer mental strength. The Ironman triathlon in Tallinn, Estonia, became her next proving ground.
Ironman is a legendary endurance event that challenges athletes with a grueling triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run.
Katie has also completed two 1/2 Ironman Distance races and qualified for the World Ironman Championship in Spain. Katie was one of 30,000 to qualify.
Though Katie had conquered thousands of miles across trails and races, she was far from finished. As she stood before the Kiwanis Club, sharing her future plans, it was clear that her journey was only just beginning.
Next on her agenda is a trip to South Africa to compete in an Ultra Marathon of 55 miles. She is planning on another hiking adventure in the future that covers 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada which is named the Great Divide Hike. Currently, Katie has logged an impressive over 9,000 miles.
Katie, known as Flo on the trails, shares her nomadic lifestyle with a growing online community, capturing breathtaking landscapes, quiet reflections, and the challenges of life on the road.
Through her blog, gowithflo.blog, as well as Instagram and TikTok, she invites followers into her world of adventure whether scaling mountains, training for endurance races, or simply soaking in a sunset.
With each story and image, she not only documents her journey but also inspires others to embrace adventure in their own lives.
It was one such trial that sparked a shared connection leading Katie to the Kiwanis Club. It was at a local art show that Kiwanian Dave Shuman met Katie.
Dave had been wearing an Appalachian Trail hat which then sparked the conversation about Katie’s experience on the trail.
While Dave had known Katie’s family, this was the first time he had an in-depth conversation with her about her travels.
This meeting led not only to Katie’s recent visit to the Kiwanis Club but also to many past and future visits. Dave said every time Katie comes back into town, they try to get together over coffee to catch up on her recent adventures and she tries to make it in to talk to the Kiwanis if she can.
Katie’s journey is a perfect reflection of the Kiwanis Club’s values—connection, service, leadership, and global impact.
Her adventures showcase the same spirit that drives Kiwanis members to make a difference in their communities. At its core, Kiwanis is about bringing people together to inspire and uplift, just as Katie has done through her travels.
Whether forming deep friendships in Australia, mentoring others through her experiences, or embracing endurance challenges that push her limits, her story aligns with the club’s mission to foster leadership and personal growth. Katie reminds us all that service, leadership, and adventure go hand in hand.
Her pursuit of new challenges mirrors Kiwanis’ dedication to perseverance and service.
Her storytelling not only inspires but encourages others to embrace adventure, build meaningful relationships, and make a positive impact—just as Kiwanis does worldwide.
Katie’s journey is far more than a collection of miles traveled, it is a testament to resilience, passion, and the ever-present pull of adventure.
From her first uncertain steps in Australia to conquering rugged trails, towering peaks, and grueling endurance races, she has embraced every challenge with a fearless spirit.
With each new destination, she continues to forge connections, inspire others, and uncover the beauty the world has to offer.
Her journey is proof that adventure is not simply about distance or destinations—it’s about embracing uncertainty, pushing personal limits, and learning from every challenge.
As she sets her sights on her next adventure, one thing remains certain: the trail always provides, and Flo will always follow where it leads.