The Story Behind the Documentary Film Trail Mix: “Finding Yourself” on The Appalachian Trail
As the Founder/Owner of Fresh Film+Design — an award-winning graphic design, photography and video business which has served the music industry for twenty-five years — Glenn Sweitzer makes frequent trips to his cabin in North Carolina for uninterrupted editing time and to recharge his creative batteries. Curious about the “backpackers” he saw on the way, he found out that NC has a trailhead in the Roan Mountains to the Appalachian Trail which starts in Springer Mountain, GA and heads North for 2,190 miles. He kept thinking about a movie heʼd seen and couldnʼt forget: Wild, the true story of Cheryl Strayed, a troubled woman with no backpacking or camping experience, who hiked over 2,000 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail, alone, and emerged transformed. What was initially curiosity became a strong pull, a “calling” to go into the woods and interview some of the hikers and discover the source of their healing and transformation.
Glennʼs journey began in May of 2018, when he packed a large camera bag containing his Canon C100 rig, DSLR and two large lenses and headed up the mountain. At this time he did not own a backpack, had never boiled water to eat dehydrated food and was in considerable pain from the full hip replacement and had undergone just three months earlier. After the first three miles, he was about to pass out and hadnʼt even crossed paths with a hiker yet, so he filmed himself talking to the camera. Eventually, he would cross paths with young couple whoʼd been on the trail for three months, who not only were happy to share their story, but stayed in contact for the next four months with updates on their journey. Devouring every book and YouTube video about thru-hikers he could get his hands on, Glenn discovered that the majority of them focused on adventure or gear. He wanted stories from hikers who were on the trail for a reason — what drove them to embark on an insane six-month-journey through the wilderness? He realized to get these stories, heʼd need to hike with the people and experience the isolation, the trail and the wilderness as one of them. So he bought a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and survival essentials and embarked on his journey with fifty-five pounds on his back and extra pressure on his hip, but he was ready.
Even though following thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail has been one of the most difficult things Glenn as has ever done, it has been one of the most inspiring journeys of his life. He met people whoʼd lost a loved one and were grieving, gone through divorce, drug addictions, military veterans with anger and PTSD issues, troubled teens in wilderness programs, young couples just starting their life together and people celebrating their 70th birthday. It has became his mission to share these incredible stories and illustrate the transformative power of nature and the wilderness, which provides clarity, wellness and allows us to reconnect with ourselves.
Glennʼs experiences and encounters on the Appalachian TraiI have turned into a full length documentary film called Trail Mix: “Finding Yourself” on the Appalachian Trail. Because of this film, Glenn came to the realization that the organizations, charities and Appalachian trail conservancy need help to maintain, promote and enhance the programs they have started. Even though he has worked with numerous non-profits to provide them with additional opportunities for funding over the course of his career, Glenn was touched by the heart and soul of the people giving everything to share the wilderness for generations to come. To make sure others have the opportunity to embrace natures gift of wellness in the wilderness, Glenn has formed a 510c3 called, Trails Please Foundation.
Embracing Natures Gift of Wellness in the Wilderness
TRAILS PLEASE FOUNDATION AND ITS PARTNERS HAVE A MISSION TO PROVIDE:
SPECIAL PROJECTS TO FUND PROGRAMS FOR TRAIL SYSTEMS AND AWARENESS
ENSURE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY IS GIVEN THE SUPPORT AND AWARENESS OF ITS HISTORY AND FUTURE PRESENCE IN THE HIKING COMMUNITY.
WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE, INSPIRE AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN REGARDS TO ISSUES IN THE WILDERNESS
SUPPORT SPECIAL GROUPS WITH THEIR MISSIONS FOR HIKER MINDFULNESS AND PERSONAL WELLNESS ON THE TRAIL SYSTEMS.
FUND PROGRAMS TO HELP MILITARY VETS, TROUBLED TEEN WILDERNESS CAMPS, AND SPECIAL WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES.
CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP TO A STUDENT WHO LOOKS TO THE OUTDOORS AS THEIR FUTURE STUDIES.
CREATE ONGOING CONTENT TO SPREAD AWARENESS OF WELLNESS IN THE WILDERNESS.
EVERY MEMBER OF OUR HIKING COMMUNITY DESERVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NATURES EMPOWERMENT.