reflection and
self-discovery
At Trek Epic we believe that emerging adults have a deep desire to know “Who am I?” and “What do I have to offer the world around me?”
Older cultures used initiation rituals or “rites of passage” to help young people in defining their life paths and purpose. These rituals have long been replaced by the externally driven demands of college, trade school, and work life. Gone are the reflective traditions of the inner and outer journey—the guided quest.
Drawing on ancient traditions and rites of passage, Trek Epic provides a transformational and adventurous experience for emerging young adults, ages 18-24, and post college age adults, 25-32, who are seeking their own paths to self-discovery and purpose.
Every trek with Trek Epic is designed to inspire a deep sense of connectedness and personal support throughout the inner and outer journey, and to provide every trekker with a clear road map for moving forward in life in a positive way.
route over
hill and dale,
and through
farms, forests,
fields and
villages
Day One
We are typically eight trekkers and two or three guides. We arrive at our starting point and gather together for our first evening dinner, meeting each other and talking about the upcoming trip.
Day Two
We make our way to the first village on our path, often taking the train from the city to the countryside. Throughout the day, we take some time to rest, discuss logistics, and get ready for our trekking adventure to begin.
Typical Trek Day
We wake up early, enjoy a hearty breakfast served at 8AM by our innkeepers, grab a packed lunch, and hit the path for our day's journey at 9AM.
As we trek each day (typically eight to fourteen miles), we stop along the way to explore cultural and historic sites, reflect on themes and topics related to the discovery of our Core Gift, and exchange ideas. Sometimes we just take a break to admire the breathtaking panoramas, chat with a local, or massage tired feet.
When we arrive at our destination B&B, Inn or Hostel each day (usually around 4:00 or 4:30) we can rest and explore, visit with our host, and discuss our evening plan. After a delicious dinner of unique local fare, we are ready to begin our evening session which includes sharing stories, discussion, and journaling.
We close each day by celebrating the progress we made, the miles we walked, and the people we met along the way.
spark, that
essential fire
We Believe Everyone Has a Core Gift—Including You
Trek Epic is rooted in the belief that every individual carries a Core Gift—a unique offering shaped by experience, values, and purpose. It’s not a skill or role, but the essential way you contribute to others when you are at your best.
Your Core Gift reflects your deepest motivations and the way you most want to be recognized in the world. It fuels clarity, confidence, and connection—especially for those who guide, support, or lead others.
During your trek, you’ll engage in a guided process of reflection, story-sharing, and facilitated dialogue designed to help you uncover and articulate your own Core Gift. This is done in community—with a cohort of fellow practitioners who are navigating similar questions and holding space for one another’s growth.
There is profound power in realizing that you're not alone in your quest for alignment. The questions you’re asking—Who am I now? What is mine to give? How do I integrate purpose into my work and life?—are being asked by others beside you, step by step.
By the end of the journey, you’ll have written a Core Gift Statement that is wholly your own—a meaningful expression of who you are and how you offer your gift to the world. You’ll also leave with a renewed vision for your next steps—rooted in purpose, and ready to be lived into with clarity and courage.
vision of
Leslie Johnson
and Andrew
Bryan
The Trek Epic Journey: Rooted in Purpose, Expanding the Field of Growth and Facilitation
Trek Epic was founded in 2010 with a bold and enduring vision: to create international walking treks that serve as powerful catalysts for reflection, purpose, and the discovery of one’s Core Gift. Co-founders Leslie Johnson and Andrew Bryan imagined something beyond traditional travel—a deeper kind of journey where people could step away from daily demands, move through inspiring landscapes, and reconnect with who they are and what they’re here to offer.
The breathtaking trails of the British Isles became the original canvas for this unfolding model. In its early years, Trek Epic was shaped by seasoned voices—like college professor and trekking guide Dr. Donald Chance—who infused adventure-based learning into the experience. In 2012, facilitator Kim Mlinarik (now of Alchemy Adventures) introduced new thematic elements that deepened the reflective arc of each trek.
A major evolution came in 2013 when Bruce Anderson joined the team and brought the Core Gift Discovery™ process into the heart of the Trek Epic model. This framework provided a clear, powerful path for participants to explore their identity, purpose, and contribution with authenticity and clarity. It became a cornerstone of every trek—and a tool that continues to transform lives and leadership today.
Now, Trek Epic is entering a new chapter—one that expands its reach beyond emerging adults to include facilitators, educators, coaches, and guides who are committed to their own growth and the growth of those they serve.
In 2025, guide and educator Josie Bryan partnered with co-founder Andrew Bryan to launch the next evolution of Trek Epic’s work: immersive, international experiences where practitioners can walk through the Core Gift Discovery™ process themselves, witness effective facilitation in action, and integrate what they’ve learned into their personal and professional practice.
Each trek offers a structured yet spacious opportunity to pause, reflect, and engage in community with others walking a similar path of purpose. With a growing network of alumni and a deeply supportive team, Trek Epic continues to model what it means to lead from authenticity, serve with clarity, and guide others through transformation—step by step.
something
bigger
Looking Ahead: The Future of Trek Epic
Over the past decade, Trek Epic has grown into something far more than a travel-based program—it has become a living model for transformational learning, built on the belief that each of us carries a unique Core Gift and a desire to live and lead from that place of deep purpose.
Rooted in reflection, grounded in community, and shaped by intentional movement through stunning landscapes, Trek Epic has supported hundreds of individuals in reconnecting with themselves and discovering how to offer their gift to the world.
Now, we are stepping into our next chapter—with a bold and expanded vision.
What began as a program supporting young adults in transition is evolving into a vibrant ecosystem for educators, facilitators, coaches, and guides—those who are already walking with others through life’s questions and seeking deeper tools, renewal, and alignment in their own practice.
Through immersive walking treks, hands-on facilitation, and the Core Gift Discovery™ process, Trek Epic now provides a reflective container for personal and professional growth. It is a space where practitioners become learners again, where purpose is rekindled, and where the tools of this work are shared in ways that ripple outward into communities, classrooms, and organizations.
We are building a network of purpose-driven leaders—walking together, learning from one another, and shaping the future of facilitation and growth work.
Your Support Fuels This Vision
This next phase of Trek Epic is not just about expansion—it’s about deepening impact.
Your support allows us to:
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Offer scholarships for facilitators and practitioners committed to social impact and education
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Develop new facilitator training pathways grounded in Core Gift methodology
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Create more accessible and inclusive treks across diverse communities and professions
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Sustain a model of intentional mentorship that nurtures both new and seasoned guides
When you support Trek Epic, you’re investing in a growing movement of people who are ready to live—and lead—from their Core Gift. You’re helping to plant seeds of transformation that will take root in schools, counseling centers, retreat spaces, youth programs, and far beyond.
We invite you to walk with us as a donor, partner, or advocate—as we continue to evolve Trek Epic into a sanctuary for growth, a training ground for purposeful leadership, and a beacon for those who believe that reflection, connection, and community are the most powerful tools we have for change.
Purpose should never be a privilege—ask about a scholarship today.
Investing in Purposeful Growth: Support Trek Epic Participants
At Trek Epic, we believe that transformational experiences—those that blend immersive travel, deep reflection, and mentorship—should be accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. No one’s financial situation should prevent them from embarking on a journey that could change their life.
Our walking treks and guided experiences offer far more than travel. They provide a space for participants to step away from daily noise, discover their Core Gift, and explore what it means to live with purpose and clarity. Whether they’re educators, emerging leaders, or individuals in a season of transition, each participant is supported through intentional facilitation, one-on-one mentoring, and a powerful cohort experience that cultivates belonging, direction, and renewal.
Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, scholarship funding is available to ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of participation. We work closely with each individual to identify support options, offer fundraising guidance, and co-create a path that makes their trek possible.
Your contribution directly supports:
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Scholarships for participants from underrepresented or financially limited backgrounds
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Program materials and facilitation resources for reflection and growth
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Expansion of our impact through new treks and practitioner-focused development opportunities
When you give to Trek Epic, you’re investing in more than a journey.
You’re helping someone uncover their purpose, articulate their gift, and take their next step with confidence and meaning.
If you or your organization believes in the power of intentional experiences to shape changemakers, leaders, and guides, we invite you to support this work. Your tax-deductible gift plants the seeds for lifelong transformation—in individuals, and in the communities they go on to serve.